420 with CNW — Study Links Cannabis to Reduced Pain, Elevated Runner’s High

A recent study has unveiled a fascinating connection between marijuana usage and an enhanced exercise experience, particularly for runners. The study, conducted by researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder, focused on 49 runners. The individuals were asked to evaluate their running experiences under two conditions: one after consuming cannabis and the other without any marijuana intake.

The findings, recently published in the “Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research” journal, revealed that participants had significantly fewer negative emotions and greater feelings of positive affect, dissociation, enjoyment and tranquility during their marijuana-influenced runs compared to their nonmarijuana runs. Furthermore, the intriguing concept of a “runner’s high” was more pronounced when marijuana was involved.

Although the runners’ pace was slightly affected after consuming marijuana, the researchers deemed the decrease of 31 seconds per mile statistically insignificant. Surprisingly, the study revealed that pain levels were lower after the cannabis-influenced runs, while perceived exertion remained unchanged between the two conditions.

The implications of these results point to the possibility that acute marijuana use might contribute to a more gratifying exercise experience for regular marijuana users. Nevertheless, the researchers emphasized the need for further investigations encompassing diverse methodologies, exercise types and populations to ascertain the potential long-term benefits and risks associated with this behavior.

Interestingly, the positive exercise effects of cannabis align with the findings of an earlier study from 2019, which revealed that individuals using marijuana to enhance their workouts tend to engage in a more wholesome amount of physical activity.

In addition, an unrelated study in 2020 demonstrated that older individuals who consumed cannabis were more inclined to participate in physical activities. The study found that older marijuana users had lower BMI at the start of the study, participated in more exercise days and were involved in more exercises during the study period than their noncannabis user counterparts.

Breaking yet another stereotype, a 2021 study highlighted that frequent marijuana users are more likely to be physically active than their nonusing counterparts. This counters the notion that cannabis consumption leads to a sedentary lifestyle.

On another note, the use of medical marijuana has shown significant improvements in the quality of life for individuals with conditions such as insomnia and chronic pain. A 2023 study by the American Medical Association (AMA) found that the positive effects of medical cannabis were sustained over time. Late last year, the AMA also revealed study results linking state legalization of cannabis with a decline in the prescription of opioids to some cancer patients.

These studies attesting to the beneficial and therapeutic effects of cannabis are probably the grounds upon which many companies such as IGC Pharma Inc. (NYSE American: IGC) have focused on developing standardized medicinal formulations from THC and other cannabinoids so that patients can have access to effective cannabis-based treatments which are approved by the FDA.

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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 — Ohio Adds IBS to Medical Cannabis Qualifying Conditions List

Regulators in Ohio have added irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) to the state’s medical marijuana list of qualifying conditions. During the recent Ohio State Medical Board meeting, lawmakers made irritable bowel syndrome the 26th qualifying condition for a medical marijuana license in the state.

IBS is one of the most common chronic conditions in America, affecting an estimated 25 to 45 million people in the country and costing the U.S. a whopping $1.3 billion in medical costs annually. The chronic condition is characterized by symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, cramping, gas and bloating, and affects roughly 5% to 10% of the global population.

According to Charlie Trefny, the director of government affairs at the Ohio Medical Cannabis Industry Association, adding IBS to the Ohio list of qualifying conditions for medical marijuana will “expand patient access” and help numerous Ohio residents living with the chronic condition.

Experts break irritable bowel syndrome into three categories: IBS with constipation (IBS-C), IBS with diarrhea (IBS-D) and IBS with mixed bowel habits (IBS-M).

A report from the Columbus Dispatch notes that while people with chronic IBS could already access medical cannabis because of chronic pain, the addition of IBS to the list of qualifying conditions will make medical cannabis accessible to significantly more IBS patients.

However, the board refused to add autism to the list of approved conditions for the third time. Trefny noted that she was disappointed in the board for not approving the addition of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and autism spectrum disorder.

A recent bill introduced by Senators Kirk Schuring and Stephen Huffman represented the fourth time the Ohio State Medical Board received a petition to allow people with autism to access medical cannabis. The measure would also allow medical cannabis patients to use therapeutic oral pouches, strips, sprays, pills, suppositories and capsules, topical salves, sprays and lotions as well as inhalers.

At the moment, Ohio allows patients with the following conditions to access medical cannabis: Alzheimer’s disease, AIDS, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), cancer, cachexia, Crohn’s disease, chronic traumatic encephalopathy, epilepsy or seizure disorders, glaucoma, fibromyalgia, Huntington’s disease, multiple sclerosis and sickle cell anemia. If Senate Bill 9 is successful, it will add autism, migraines, chronic muscle spasms or spasticity, opioid use disorder and terminal illness to the list of qualifying conditions.

Ohio also permits medical cannabis access to patients with severe intractable or chronic pain, Parkinson’s disease, spasticity, terminal illness, ulcerative colitis, Tourette syndrome and traumatic brain injuries.

As more patients use marijuana to treat or manage their ailments, entities such as IGC Pharma Inc. (NYSE American: IGC) are seeking to up the ante by developing standardized formulations from cannabis that meet the FDA regulatory requirements so that these treatments can be available nationwide through the healthcare system.

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420 with CNW — BJS Report Reveals a 61% Reduction in Marijuana Incarcerations as State-Level Legalization Spreads

A recent report from the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) has revealed significant developments in drug-related incarcerations within the federal prison system. The number of individuals imprisoned for marijuana offenses dropped by a remarkable 61%, surpassing reductions seen in other drug categories between 2013 and 2018.

Overall, drug-related incarcerations in federal prisons decreased by 24% during the same timeframe. However, the report highlights that nearly one-half of the Bureau of Prisons’ population in 2018 consisted of individuals impacted by the war on drugs.

While marijuana cases saw the most substantial decline at 61%, powder and crack cocaine incarcerations also significantly decreased by 35% and 45%, respectively, over the five-year period. Opioid-related incarcerations experienced a more modest decline of 4%. According to the report, the reductions in drug-related incarcerations were partially offset by an increase in individuals serving sentences for methamphetamine and heroin offenses, which rose by 12% and 13%, respectively.

The BJS report states that the majority of individuals incarcerated for drug-related convictions in federal prison were involved in trafficking rather than simple possession. However, there was also a notable decline in possession-related incarcerations.

The number of nontrafficking drug offenders dropped sharply from 2013, when there were about 500 people, to only 54 prisoners by 2018, representing less than 0.1% of the total federal prison population. In contrast, drug trafficking offenses constituted a significant portion of the incarcerated population, with 71,500 individuals behind bars for these crimes in 2018, accounting for almost one-half of all Bureau of Prisons detainees.

Racial demographics showed that Hispanic individuals comprised the majority (59.3%) of those incarcerated for cannabis offenses, followed by white individuals at 19.3% and Black individuals at 18.4%.

It’s important to consider that the data in the report only extends until 2018, and since then, more state markets have embraced legalization while law enforcement priorities have continued to evolve. In subsequent years, the U.S. Sentencing Commission (USSC) tracked federal drug-trafficking cases up to 2022 and reported a sustained decline in the number of federal cannabis trafficking offenders, from 5000 in 2013 to 800 in 2022. However, trafficking cases involving substances such as methamphetamine, fentanyl and powder cocaine increased during this period.

Additional data from Customs and Border Protection (CBP) revealed a record-low number of cannabis seizures in 2022, reflecting the impact of state-level legalization efforts on enforcement practices. Moreover, a 2022 Government Accountability Office (GAO) report shed light on enforcement activities, indicating that seizures primarily involved small quantities of marijuana from American citizens rather than large-scale operations involving international cartels at checkpoints.

The reduced incarceration rates suggest that society and the criminal justice system is evolving in the way it views marijuana, and the work being undertaken by enterprises such as IGC Pharma Inc. (NYSE American: IGC) could further accelerate this shift as more pharmaceutical-grade formulations from THC win FDA approval.

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420 with CNW — States Share Key Data to Facilitate Federal Cannabis Scheduling Review

States with medical cannabis markets have begun sharing data with the Biden administration to aid in the government’s review of marijuana’s federal classification. While more than 30 states may have legalized medical cannabis use over the past two decades, cannabis still remains illegal at the federal level, classified as a Schedule I drug with no medical applications alongside dangerous drugs like heroin, and cocaine.

However, the fact that cannabis has several proven medical applications and is already being used by millions of Americans for therapeutic reasons shows that cannabis doesn’t belong in the same class as cocaine or heroin. Efforts to legalize the plant at the state level have been quite successful, but it doesn’t seem federal legalization will happen any time soon.

Still, regulators are taking their time reviewing federal cannabis policies, and the medical cannabis data provided by states will be sure to aid their efforts. MJBizDaily recently reported that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) acquired this critical data from at least five medical marijuana states. The data will let federal researchers obtain a much more comprehensive look into cannabis use in America and the controversial plant’s potential as a medication than any peer-review study would allow.

President Joe Biden ordered a review of the country’s federal cannabis policies in late January and asked the secretary of the HHS and the U.S. attorney general to begin the review process. He said that Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act where cannabis is classified is meant for the “most dangerous substances,” noting that it is a higher classification than methamphetamine and fentanyl, which are both playing a key role in America’s overdose epidemic.

Officials from Massachusetts, Maryland, Utah, Illinois and Minnesota, the states which shared their medical cannabis data, hope they can help accelerate the review of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) because it is the sole barrier to legalizing cannabis at the federal level.

Federal prohibition makes it extremely difficult for cannabis businesses to operate as it prevents them from accessing banking services, tax relief and even capital. It also prohibits interstate cannabis commerce and forces each state market to be its own ecosystem.

If the ongoing review results in marijuana’s removal from Schedule I of the CSA, it could result in lower federal cannabis taxes, significantly greater access to financial services and capital and interstate commerce. It could even pave the way for federal legalization.

Over time, marijuana has demonstrated its medical potential, which is probably why companies such as IGC Pharma Inc. (NYSE American: IGC) are willing to stake millions of dollars to research and develop THC-based formulations for chronic pain. These formulations are expected to go through the FDA-approval process before being put on the market.

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420 with CNW — Ukraine to End Cannabis Prohibition to Help Manage Mental-Health War Effects

Ukrainian members of parliament (MPs) have unanimously approved a measure to legalize marijuana, aiming to provide relief for war veterans struggling with physical and psychological trauma. The proposed bill, which permits the medical use of cannabis, effortlessly passed its initial reading, garnering support from 268 out of 344 legislators. Prior to becoming law, it must undergo a second reading in parliament and obtain the signature of President Volodymyr Zelensky.

The significant backing for medical cannabis marks a notable shift in attitudes toward the substance since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

In 2021, a similar bill faced resounding defeat. Today, cannabis is recognized as a viable alternative to traditional prescription drugs for treating the extensive physical and mental injuries endured by thousands of civilians and soldiers during the war. Tymofiy Mylovanov, the director of the Kyiv School of Economics and an advisor to President Zelensky, affirmed, “Both veterans and the wounded rely on marijuana, and the legislature aims to legalize its usage.”

While Ukraine does not publicly disclose its casualty figures, estimates suggest they are lower than the estimated 200,000 Russian soldiers who have been injured or killed. Leaked U.S. intelligence documents in April indicated that by February, Ukraine had experienced between 124,500 and 131,000 casualties, with up to 17,500 fatalities.

According to a report released by the WHO in February, approximately 25% of the Ukrainian population and 60% of its soldiers may be suffering from PTSD or depression due to the war. Furthermore, the report highlighted the sidelining of mental-health services in favor of bolstering trauma unit capacities.

Advocates for medical-marijuana legalization assert that cannabis can alleviate pain and symptoms associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), often offering a safer alternative to prescription opioids. President Zelensky has expressed support for the legalization of medical marijuana. Leading up to the vote, numerous prominent Ukrainians also voiced their endorsement of the legislation.

Yanina Sokolova, a television presenter, shared a photograph on her Facebook page depicting a Ukrainian soldier lying in a hospital bed following an injury caused by a Russian landmine. The explosion had partially severed his left leg, ultimately leading to a complete amputation. “He experiences excruciating pain constantly, 24/7. It’s unbearable,” Sokolova reported.

In light of such circumstances, Sokolova continued: “I can identify numerous groups of patients experiencing various painful symptoms. They all urgently require medical marijuana.”

Across the globe, the legalization of medical marijuana has been steadily gaining traction, with the United Kingdom permitting its prescription by doctors in 2018.

The medical use of marijuana is on the rise around the world. This could be the reason why we are seeing more enterprises such as IGC Pharma Inc. (NYSE American: IGC) taking steps to develop pharmacy-grade formulations from THC and other cannabinoids so that patients can have marijuana medicines that they can obtain through doctor prescriptions in the healthcare system.

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420 with CNW — How Frontline Workers and Veterans Are Using Marijuana to Combat Depression and PTSD

In his 27 years with the RCMP, Steve Gloade never imagined that his retirement would involve utilizing marijuana to heal. Gloade is one of the veteran ambassadors for CannaConnect, a business that promotes the use of cannabis to treat PTSD in frontline workers and veterans, as well as diseases including depression and arthritis.

“As a law enforcement officer, we can tell you how much marijuana is worth on the street and the potential sentence and fine you’ll get,” Gloade said. “But I would never have remotely imagined the health advantages it could offer me.”

Gloade stated that he wasn’t at ease going into a store selling recreational marijuana and asking for assistance, but he did so when he thought he had no other choice. Veterans in Canada are increasingly looking for medicinal marijuana after a 2008 court ruling ordered the government to grant reasonable access to the substance when prescribed by a doctor.

Gloade states that clientele has grown into a community, but they occasionally receive veterans who aren’t clients but are simply looking for a secure environment. Veterans received a record amount of reimbursement from the federal government for medical cannabis last year. New requests for greater research into cannabis’ medical advantages have been made in response to the growing demand, which some experts and supporters claim is still lacking.

The College of Family Physicians of Canada and Health Canada have both issued warnings regarding the possible harm that cannabis usage may cause for those who have mental-health disorders, notably post-traumatic stress disorder. Additionally, it has sparked debate around the use of marijuana by veterans as a coping mechanism for psychological trauma and the need for increased funding for peer and counseling assistance.

Zachary Walsh, one of the leading experts on cannabis’ potential as a PTSD treatment, claimed to have heard numerous accounts of veterans and RCMP utilizing the drug to alleviate their symptoms. A professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of British Columbia and a member of the B.C. Center on Substance Use, Walsh said that while research hasn’t progressed as far as researchers might have anticipated, it is generally agreed that cannabis helps to ease symptoms but does not cure them.

This medical use of marijuana may be what is propelling enterprises such as IGC Pharma Inc. (NYSE American: IGC) to take matters a step further and develop formulations that meet regulatory approval so that patients can access these safe treatments through the conventional hospital system.

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420 with CNW — Schumer Admits GOP Support Key in Enacting Cannabis Banking Reform

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has said that enacting the cannabis banking bill is a top priority for this summer, but it won’t be simple without backing from GOP leaders. In a letter sent to his coworkers last week, Schumer made that statement.

The letter specifies that lawmakers will prioritize pushing defense and appropriations measures that must pass before moving on to other matters. To advance the bill in a number of policy areas, Schumer stated that Democrats will also keep working with their Republican counterparts. This includes moving forward on bicameral legislation, such as a bill to protect cannabis banking that was already heard in the Senate Banking Committee in May and that proponents expect will be put to a vote in that body this month.

Schumer has stated numerous times that he believes the SAFE Banking Bill should be changed to include wording on the expungement of earlier cannabis convictions. However, he chose not to reiterate that argument in his recent letter. However, a representative for the primary Republican sponsor of the standalone SAFE Banking Act said recently that he is open to including the additional reform provision, despite having warned Democrats against significantly broadening the bill’s scope in a way that could jeopardize the support of GOP lawmakers.

Insiders claim that the bill, as it stand, has enough support from Republicans to garner the 60 votes necessary for approval in the Senate.

Senate Banking Committee members are still debating Section 10 of the marijuana measure, which has drawn criticism from certain Democrats, including Senator Jack Reed, who claims it would essentially weaken banking laws that do not apply to the cannabis industry.

But, as Schumer pointed out in the letter, Republican support is necessary to see the proposal through to the end. Furthermore, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has already obstructed incremental reform. Additionally, it’s uncertain when the Senate will be able to finish working on budget legislation and the NDAA, which Schumer argued should come before the other bipartisan initiatives.

Although a committee markup for the SAFE Banking Bill has not yet been set, members from opposing parties are indicating that the votes are present for passage — as long as there are no significant disagreements or roadblocks. Senator Tommy Tuberville declared last month that he would vote in favor of the bill. He merely has his worries about the Democratic leadership’s ability to deliver on their campaign promise this year.

Not all companies that have operations connected to marijuana are facing banking challenges. For example, entities such as IGC Pharma Inc. (NYSE American: IGC) that are focused on developing medicinal formulations containing THC follow a set of regulations formulated by the FDA regarding drug development. Since these operations are federally regulated, operators are regarded as federally permitted firms and aren’t denied banking services in the same way that entities selling state-level recreational or medical marijuana are.

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420 with CNW — Maryland Reports $10M Sales on First Weekend After Launching Retail Cannabis Market

Retail sales data from the state of Maryland shows that cannabis retailers sold more than $10 million worth of recreational cannabis during the first weekend of official sales. Maryland legalized recreational marijuana last year, and the law took effect on July 1, 2023, officially launching adult-use cannabis sales in the state and adding Maryland to the growing number of states with legal recreational cannabis markets.

By July 1, state regulators had allowed close to 100 dispensaries to convert their medical cannabis licenses to dual licenses and begin selling recreational cannabis to adults aged 21 years and older. Unsurprisingly, retailers immediately saw significant demand from the market, with customers buying medical and recreational cannabis worth $10,429,737 from Friday to the end of Sunday.

This was more than two times the $3,985,527 worth of medical cannabis that was sold over last year’s 4th of July weekend.

During its first official day of recreational cannabis sales, retailers sold $4,518,377 worth of cannabis, a majority of it ($3,558,947) being recreational cannabis.

Since its inception, America’s state-level recreational cannabis market has been incredibly lucrative, generating billions of dollars in sales and providing states with hundreds of millions of dollars in tax revenue every year. Data from Maryland’s first weekend of adult-use cannabis sales show that the plant still enjoys significant demand from the market.

Maryland Governor Wes Moore noted in a video statement that the United States is now “entering a new frontier.” He said that cannabis policy had previously been used to “jail and discriminate” Americans, with communities of color and people in low-income communities bearing the brunt of prohibitionist cannabis policies. Moore argued that it is now time we acknowledge that the drug war was a failure that weakened America as a whole.

With dozens of states now home to legal cannabis markets, many of them with strong social equity policies, the era of cannabis prohibition is coming to an end, at least at the state level. Moore said that Maryland would help to lead the charge in America’s new procannabis era, an era that will focus on equity and economic growth while striving to undo the mistakes of the failed drug war.

Meanwhile, the Maryland Cannabis Administration (MCA) will distribute the $15-plus million it collected in licensing conversion fees to various community reinvestment funds. The MCA also plans on investing another $45 million from licensing conversion fees in community reinvestment funds over the next year and a half.

As recreational marijuana sales boom in Maryland and other states that have launched adult-use markets, it shouldn’t be forgotten that millions of people are also still using cannabis for medical purposes. This medical segment has drawn the attention of numerous startups such as IGC Pharma Inc. (NYSE American: IGC) that are taking steps to develop formulations that meet the FDA drug-approval criteria so that patients can have standardized cannabis-based medications they can use to manage their symptoms.

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420 with CNW — State-Level Cannabis Regulation Causes Confusion as Federal Prohibition Persists

With the growing acceptability and legalization of marijuana use across the country, a worrisome reality has come to light: the state-by-state mosaic of safety legislation can leave cannabis consumers adrift in a fog of confusion, exposing them to potential hazards. Marijuana continues to be categorically illegal under federal law. Therefore, it is up to each state to decide on its own set of rules and safety standards.

The lack of uniformity in legislation fuels divisive discussions about the cannabis sector in the United States. Out of the 50 states, only Nebraska, Kansas and Idaho do not permit any form of cannabis use, while the other 47 have adopted their own laws on an array of issues, including the acceptable THC levels in cannabis products.

The majority of jurisdictions demand that licensed laboratories evaluate the strength of products and look for contaminants such as heavy metals and pesticides in legal cannabis products. However, the lack of uniform testing guidelines has led to inconsistent lab results. A practice called “lab shopping” has emerged among producers as a result of certain labs being found to artificially inflate THC levels to satisfy the demand for potent goods.

Recalls have been required in several jurisdictions as a result of products being cleared for sale despite the presence of dangerous pollutants. At least 18 health problems, including an increase in seizure activity, allergic responses and anxiety as well as a burning feeling brought on by chemical exposure, were associated with a cannabis recall in Michigan in 2021 that involved an estimated 64,000 pounds.

The significant differences could be a result of the variations in cannabis strength and contamination-testing procedures seen across the nation’s laboratories. Others issue licenses to independent labs, while some states run their own labs and enforce a more consistent testing approach.

A study published in the “Environmental Health Perspectives” journal in 2022 suggests that the patchy cannabis laws at the state level may have serious effects on consumer health. The study emphasizes how these regulatory inconsistencies raise the danger of pollutant exposure for immunocompromised people, which may result in illnesses that are potentially fatal. Additionally, the inconsistencies also cause misunderstandings among testing facilities, producers and cannabis cultivators. The study also demonstrates that the same cannabis samples could be accepted in one jurisdiction but not in another.

To maintain product safety and safeguard customers, states have put numerous policies into place. For instance, the maximum amount of THC allowed in edibles in Connecticut is 100 mg per package, with a limit of 5 mg per serving. In Massachusetts, the maximum THC content for edibles is 110 mg per package and 5.5 mg per serving. Moreover, the Colorado legislature passed a law in 2017 prohibiting the creation and distribution of edibles shaped like fruits, people or animals to lessen their attraction to children. Similar steps have been taken by other states to restrict children’s access to cannabis products, including the use of child-resistant packaging.

Marijuana supporters claim that by setting uniform standards and coordinating laws across state lines, federal legalization might provide a solution. They believe that federal legalization, along with possible research funding, might improve consumer safety and streamline the cannabis sector.

No such regulatory confusion exists in the cannabis medicalization space in which companies such as IGC Pharma Inc. (NYSE American: IGC) operate because they follow a clear set of guidelines provided by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

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420 with CNW — Lawmakers Author Amendments to Change Cannabis Rules for Security Personnel, Military Recruits

Past and current cannabis use still comes with a myriad of disadvantages for people in certain fields. Even though dozens of states now allow medical and recreational cannabis use, federal law still prohibits cannabis use. As a result, applicants and employees who work in certain fields or agencies often face stringent zero-tolerance drug policies that do not allow cannabis use regardless of local state law.

Professional athletes in most major sports, truck drivers and army recruits are among the classes of individuals that are subject to workplace drug tests and can face termination for failed drug tests and, in some cases, past cannabis use.

A pair of lawmakers is looking to loosen the policies on prior cannabis use for recruits in the military and people seeking security clearance. This would alleviate what the bipartisan pair of legislators call a “retirement and retainment crisis” by increasing the applicant pool for Defense Department personnel.

Every single branch of the U.S. military has struggled to meet its recruiting goals since 2022 amid record-low numbers of eligible Americans. Furthermore, experts say that of those who qualify to serve, few are willing to join the military, leading to one of the most prolific recruitment crises in U.S. history. An internal survey by the Defense Department found that only 9% of young Americans who qualify to enlist are interested in joining the military.

Representative Matt Gaetz is proposing an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act to eliminate cannabis testing for military recruits and to allow applicants who have used cannabis in the past to join the military. Gaetz argued that past cannabis use should never exclude citizens from enlisting in the military and said that rather than penalizing them, such recruits should be embraced for stepping up to serve America.

Ret. Lt. Gen. Thomas Spoehr of the think tank Heritage Foundation said that the military has not seen such a massive recruitment shortfall since 1973 when America exited Vietnam and officially ended the draft. Army’s chief of staff, Gen. James McConville, said in 2022 that over three-quarters of U.S. adults aged 17 to 24 are disqualified from enlisting in the military largely due to drug use, obesity or criminal records, and the pool of eligible applicants shrinks each year.

Additionally, a 2022 survey by Monmouth University found that 54% of American adults have used cannabis in their lifetime. Eliminating candidates for past cannabis use effectively cuts the already-small applicant pool by one-half. In 2022 alone, close to 5,000 applicants did not make the cut due failed drug tests, an increase of 33% from 2020.

Eliminating drug-testing requirements and penalties for prior cannabis use would widen the applicant pool and allow the military to meet some of its recruitment demands in the short term.

The drug-development programs of companies such as IGC Pharma Inc. (NYSE American: IGC) could also address the needs of those who currently use marijuana for medical reasons since these formulations would be subjected to the FDA approval process, and success would mean that no one would be sanctioned for using those medicines once they can be prescribed by doctors.

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

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