420 with CNW — Virginia Senate Committee Advances Cannabis Sales Bill as Deadline Looms

Last week, the Virginia Rehabilitation and Social Services Senate Committee passed a proposal to legalize commercial cannabis sales by a 10 to 5 vote. The bill, SB 448, introduced by Senator Aaron Rouse, aims to initiate the licensing of recreational cannabis businesses starting this July. However, retail licenses would not be accessible until next year.

Subject to voter approval, the measure gives local governments the authority to potentially outlaw commercial marijuana operations.

SB 448 will move on to the Senate’s justice committee next week. Subsequently, it will undergo evaluation in the finance committee, where a crucial deadline of Feb. 5, 2024, looms to keep it in contention. There’s also a crossover date of Feb. 13, 2024, that requires the senate to forward the bill to the house, which is also considering a marijuana sales measure of its own.

During a senate marijuana subcommittee hearing, Rouse’s bill prevailed over an opposing proposal from Senator Adam Ebbin, SB 423. Ebbin’s proposal, which aimed to accelerate adult-use marijuana sales through already-existing dispensaries, was rejected due to worries about possible market dominance by well-established companies.

SB 448 outlines licensing for five business categories, including testing laboratories, cultivators, retailers, manufacturers and transporters. The entities would fall under the regulatory purview of the state’s existing CCA.

Legislators have refrained from debating the bill’s tax components or criminal justice legislation effects thus far, delegating those discussions to the senate’s fiscal and judicial committees.

One amendment suggested during last week’s session is a definition of cultivator size measurement. Cannabis advocates suggest replacing the bill’s maximum of 2,000 plants for the largest cultivators with a cap on canopy square area. However, Rouse objected to this change, claiming that plant counts are simpler to monitor and give small companies greater flexibility.

The subcommittee meeting included a significant amount of debate on social-justice provisions, which emphasized priority licensing for veterans, hemp producers and people from low-income and over-policed communities. Changes that were covered in previous subcommittee sessions included doing away with a clause that prohibited legislators from working in the marijuana industry and forbidding law enforcement from being involved in the business. Additional changes addressed issues such as fairness standards for veterans, testing licensing restrictions to prevent lab shopping and concerns for those impacted by the drug war.

Additionally, the proposal addresses the qualifying standards for marijuana company licenses, prohibiting those with felonies or other convictions involving moral conduct from applying for seven years. There were requests to shorten this exclusion period during the subcommittee meeting.

The legislation arrives against the backdrop of Virginia’s existing legal framework, where recreational cannabis possession, use and personal cultivation are already permitted. Originally a Democrat-controlled legislation from 2021, the framework ran into difficulties due to GOP control over the governor’s office and the house later in the year. The unlicensed market has since expanded as a result of the lack of a newly adopted regulatory framework.

Even if Democrats took back control of both chambers of Congress in November, it is still difficult to pass laws on marijuana sales. There are challenges in reaching a consensus among Democrats and possible resistance from Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin. Gov. Youngkin has voiced his distaste for cannabis reform and highlighted particular issues, such as labor union regulations for cannabis-related enterprises. Although he first seemed receptive to the notion of commercial sales, more subsequent remarks appear to indicate a change in perspective.

The entire cannabis industry, including sector players such as SNDL Inc. (NASDAQ: SNDL), hope that the launch of adult-use cannabis sales in Virginia happens on schedule so that the residents who aspire to consume this substance can find legal sources to access it.

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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 — Several Bills to Legalize Cannabis Filed in Indiana

The potential legalization of cannabis in Indiana is expected to be a prominent issue in the upcoming legislative session. In previous years, legislators have pointed to the proximity of neighboring states with legalized cannabis as a driving force behind Indiana’s consideration of the matter. The allure of increased tax revenue, witnessed in nearby states such as Michigan and Illinois, serves as a persuasive incentive for lawmakers to contemplate legalization.

Currently, nine measures in both the Indiana senate and house have been proposed, with each incorporating “marijuana” in their titles.

SB 99, sponsored by Senators Rodney Pol and Fady Qaddoura, proposes allowing marijuana use for individuals aged 21 years and older or those with serious medical conditions. Additionally, it introduces an excise tax on cannabis.

SB107, proposed by Senators Qaddoura and David Niezgodski, proposes the establishment of a legal framework for the growth and distribution of marijuana in the state.

SB 126, put forth by Senator Greg Taylor, seeks to create a medical cannabis program, enabling doctors to prescribe the substance for specific medical conditions. The bill also proposes the formation of a regulatory committee and the repeal of certain taxes related to cannabis.

SB 294, authored by Senator Eric Bassler, proposes removing cannabis from Schedule I of the controlled substance list. It suggests permitting medical cannabis use for individuals with serious medical conditions, prescribed by a healthcare professional. Similar to Senate Bill 126, SB 294 proposes the establishment of a state marijuana commission to oversee the program.

HB 1146, introduced by Representative Jim Lucas, aims to establish a program allowing medical cannabis growth, testing, processing and distribution by licensed operators. Additionally, the measure makes it illegal to discriminate against people who use medicinal cannabis and also provides legal assistance to anyone found operating a car while under the influence of cannabis.

Representative Blake Johnson’s HB1282 aims to provide guidelines for Indiana’s legal marijuana cultivation and sales. House Bills 1349 and 1350, both authored by Representatives Heath VanNatter, Steve Bartles and Jake Teshka, propose decriminalizing the possession of up to two ounces of cannabis and lays out guidelines for Indiana’s legal marijuana production and distribution, respectively.

Lastly, House Bill 1410 put forth by Representative Zach Payne, would allow the sale and consumption of marijuana to anyone who is at least 18 years of age. It also requires the state’s health department to set up a system for citizens to receive medical cannabis cards, permitting anyone under the age of 18 to use the drug for medical purposes with a prescription. Furthermore, the measure also suggests exempting medical marijuana from the sales tax.

The debate over cannabis legalization in Indiana is expected to change as these proposals move through the legislative process, influenced by factors including taxation, regulations and public health.

Indiana is one of the remaining states that haven’t legalized cannabis in some form, and the progress of the these bills could attract the interest of several cannabis companies, such as SNDL Inc. (NASDAQ: SNDL), as the spread of the reform movement reaches these holdout states.

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420 with CNW — GOP Medical Cannabis Plan in Wisconsin Receives Muted Response

Wisconsin GOP assembly legislators have put forth a proposal aimed at legalizing medical cannabis in the state. The proposal, however, received a tepid response from Governor Tony Evers (D) and senate GOP leaders due to its highly restrictive nature.

Unlike the broader legalization efforts advocated by Democrats and Gov. Evers through the years, the proposed bill focuses on allowing medical cannabis use only for severely ill individuals dealing with chronic diseases such as cancer, glaucoma, HIV/AIDS, chronic pain and nausea. However, the bill introduces certain restrictions, such as limiting distribution to only five state-operated locations and prohibiting the use of smokable cannabis. Instead, various alternative forms of the substance, including liquids, patches, vapors, creams, gels, pills, tinctures, oils, gummies and concentrates, would be permissible. Evers, while expressing support for a medical cannabis program, remained noncommittal about the specifics of the proposal.

For the bill to become law, it must pass both the senate and assembly and receive the governor’s signature. However, the reception from key figures in the senate, including Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu, has been cautious. LeMahieu emphasized the need for thorough vetting before making any decisions on the bill.

Senate Minority Leader Dianne Hesselbein (D) acknowledged the proposal as a small step forward but expressed concerns about its restrictive nature. Meanwhile, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R) indicated that the outlined program was the maximum extent to which Republican assembly legislators were willing to go.

The bill entrusts the state’s health services department with determining the exact locations of the five dispensaries. Interestingly, given the legalization of recreational cannabis in neighboring Michigan, Illinois and Minnesota, Wisconsin residents may find closer access to dispensaries in other states. A 2023 report by the Wisconsin Policy Forum highlighted that more than one-half of Wisconsin residents above the age of 21 were within a 75-minute drive of a licensed dispensary in another state.

Under Evers’ 2023 rejected full-legalization proposal, Wisconsin anticipated collecting about $165 million annually in sales taxes. However, the current proposed medical cannabis proposal would not contribute to Wisconsin sales tax revenue.

The bill specifies that patients seeking medical cannabis must have a physician’s diagnosis and can obtain the cannabis only from one of the five state-operated dispensaries. Wisconsin stands out as an outlier nationally, with 38 states legalizing medical cannabis and 24 legalizing recreational cannabis. The momentum for legalization in Wisconsin has grown as neighboring states have relaxed their cannabis legalization laws.

Established enterprises such as SNDL Inc. (NASDAQ: SNDL) and the broader cannabis industry will be watching to see how the regulatory landscape in Wisconsin will shape up in the coming months leading to the November polls.

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420 with CNW — Federal Lawsuit Challenges Cannabis Advertising Ban in Mississippi

Clarence Cocroft, the owner of Tru Source, a medical marijuana dispensary in Olive Branch, Mississippi, is contending that the ban on medical marijuana advertising in Mississippi is hindering his dispensary’s ability to attract customers. He claims that this prohibition infringes upon his freedom of speech, a claim central to the federal suit filed on Nov. 14, 2023.

The lawsuit targets the regulatory authorities overseeing these restrictions, including the state’s health department, the revenue department, and the state’s bureau of alcohol and beverage control.

While medical cannabis is now legal in Mississippi for persons with qualifying conditions and a medical marijuana card, the state law explicitly forbids dispensary owners and cultivators from promoting marijuana products. To establish a medical marijuana shop, one is required to obtain a dispensary license, obtain a sales tax registration and incur considerable fees. Additionally, patrons must possess a medical marijuana card and be at least 21 years old to enter a dispensary.

Tru Source relies on limited advertising channels, including word of mouth, on-location signage and its website. Cocroft, however, faces restrictions preventing him from promoting the dispensary through other mediums. He highlights that potential customers might remain unaware of the store’s existence unless they happen to pass by.

Represented by the Institute for Justice (IJ), a nationwide libertarian nonprofit law firm, Cocroft’s lawsuit challenges the constitutionality of commercial speech regulations. Katrin Marquez, an attorney for Cocroft, points out how these regulations, viewed through the lens of the First Amendment, impede business growth.

When Tru Source was established, Cocroft invested in billboards in the north of the state for advertising but had to lease the locations to other businesses, such as a casino, capable of legally promoting their products. The case and the resultant media attention have attracted new customers to Tru Source, increasing daily visits from about 15 to 20 patients to 20 to 30 patients picking up medical marijuana products.

Cocroft argues that the ban on advertising not only affects dispensary owners but also impacts cultivators. If dispensaries can’t promote products, their purchasing capacity diminishes, causing financial losses for cultivators. He questions the disparity, noting that industries such as alcohol, medications, casinos and strip clubs can advertise statewide, while marijuana dispensaries face restrictions.

Cocroft highlights the financial burden borne by those invested in Mississippi’s medical marijuana industry, where millions of dollars have been spent in pursuit of helping patients navigate a novel business landscape. In his view, the unequal advertising regulations create a puzzling dichotomy where certain industries can freely advertise, while others, such as Tru Source, face stringent limitations.

It isn’t just cannabis companies in Mississippi that are hamstrung by restrictions on advertising. Other enterprises operating elsewhere, such as SNDL Inc. (NASDAQ: SNDL), are also grappling with limitations on how and where they can advertise their products.

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420 with CNW — Study Suggests CBD-Infused Tampons Could Be Effective Against Menstrual Pain

A recent study published in the “Endometriosis and Uterine Disorders” Journal has unveiled promising results regarding CBD-infused tampons for alleviating menstrual pain and severe cramps. The study’s authors posit that these CBD-infused tampons may present a more favorable option with fewer side effects compared to traditional anti-inflammatory medications, offering a parallel pain-relieving impact.

The research team, comprised of six researchers, noted the following in their report: “The outcomes suggest that CBD-infused tampons hold potential as an effective solution for managing menstrual pain.” They emphasized the necessity for further exploration and research into the product, asserting its potential contribution to addressing primary dysmenorrhea, a condition characterized by painful muscle cramps and spasms affecting between 50% and 90% of menstruating women.

The study examined the relationship between CBD, CB2 and CB1 receptors, claiming that because these receptors are extensively dispersed throughout uterine tissue, they provide an ideal target for the localized administration of cannabinoids to reduce pain. A randomized, placebo-controlled methodology was used to conduct the study, and participants were not informed whether they were using a regular or CBD-infused tampon. Participants self-reported their pain thresholds and general levels of satisfaction.

The study group carefully investigated a number of factors, such as systemic toxicity, vaginal irritation, material-mediated pyrogenicity, sensitization, and possible risk of toxic shock syndrome. They confirmed that every test was passed with success, demonstrating the safety of tampons infused with CBD.

Regarding pain alleviation, the report indicated a noteworthy percentage change, reaching 100% in the last menstruation days. Additionally, the study demonstrated a statistically significant decrease in discomfort during particular days of the menstrual cycle, two hours after tampon application.

Although fewer than 5% of participants reported experiencing irritation as a result of using CBD-infused tampons, between 37% and 40% reported an improvement in their vaginal dryness. Two patients reported vertigo while using the product; however, the symptoms cleared promptly without the need for medical treatment after removing the tampon.

The study’s lead author, Valentina Milanova, who also serves as CEO of Daye, a gynecological research company that claims to offer the first CBD-infused tampon worldwide, stated that the observed alleviation of primary dysmenorrhea throughout the menstrual cycle supports the potential effectiveness of CBD-infused tampons. All authors have financial ties to Daye’s parent company, Anne’s Day Ltd., based in London.

The authors did note the study’s shortcomings, particularly its small sample size, and urged future research and improvements to the research design, including the use of a crossover design to collect full pain data.

Cannabis research is still relatively in its infancy, but as the years go by, much more is likely to be known about the health and wellness benefits of the marijuana products currently commercialized by entities such as SNDL Inc. (NASDAQ: SNDL).

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420 with CNW — Missouri Expunges 100K Marijuana Cases in Year One of Legal Cannabis Sales

Recent data shows that officials in the state of Missouri have thus far expunged more than 100,000 cannabis cases from court records. Under the law, misdemeanors had to be automatically expunged by June 8, 2023, and felonies had to be cleared by Dec. 8, 2023. The deadline for felony expungements, which lapsed last week, wasn’t met by all courts, however, with clerks still reviewing decades of old cases.

In an interview, Dan Viets, a lawyer and coordinator of Missouri NORML, stated that courts would need additional time to finish the task and noted that it could be years before all cases from the last 100 years were expunged. Viets, who also coauthored the state’s constitutional amendment legalizing cannabis, added that the state had prohibited cannabis for more than a century and, given that most older cases hadn’t been updated on a database, a lot of physical work was needed to find and go through hard-copy records.

In a press release of the state’s NORML chapter, Viets noted that the provision on automatic expungement was a significant part of Missouri’s marijuana law that was approved by voters in 2022. Missouri NORML also highlighted that the ballot proposal, now codified as Article XIV in the state’s constitution, provided funds for the expungement via the 6% sales tax imposed on recreational cannabis.

The organization explained that the tax had generated more revenue than was needed to pay overtime to existing staff or fund the hiring of more staff in the offices of circuit clerks across Missouri. In November, total cannabis sales in the state exceeded the $1 billion mark, with legislators announcing recently that of the total taxes generated, $17 million would fund drug treatment, veterans’ health and legal aid.

Viets also noted that counties that missed the December deadline were in violation of Missouri’s constitution and legal action could be taken. He then revealed that about six of the counties in the state hadn’t expunged any cases on misdemeanor violations, asserting that these were smaller counties where Amendment 3’s support wasn’t as high.

On a broader scale, the state’s cannabis system has experienced significant hitches this year, with thousands of products being recalled over the illegal use of cannabinoids derived from hemp. In November, officials revoked Delta Extraction’s business license, as the company was at the center of the aforementioned dispute.

Another company, Retailer Point Management, also had to settle a dispute with a union over more than 10 charges of unfair labor practices. All this is part of a wider push by workers at marijuana businesses to organize the industry.

These ongoing expungements are likely being watched closely by the entire cannabis industry, including companies such as SNDL Inc. (NASDAQ: SNDL), given that times have changed and there is a growing consensus that no one should suffer lifelong consequences for being convicted after using a substance that is now legal in a significant portion of the United States as well as several countries around the world.

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420 with CNW — Federal Study Finds That Prohibitionist States See More Hospital Admissions for Cannabis Use Disorder

Despite concerns voiced by critics regarding the potential surge in problematic cannabis use following legalization, recently released federal data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) reveals a different narrative. The SAMHSA analysis, which covered 2021 and was released last week, showed that the states with the greatest rates of treatment admissions for cannabis were those where sales of the drug were still illegal. The data showed that admissions to substance-use treatment services at state-licensed facilities for people aged 12 year of age and older totaled approximately 1.5 million countrywide.

According to the Treatment Episode Data Set (TEDS), 10.2% of all recorded admissions involved cannabis or hashish as the major drug. This placed cannabis as the fourth most-used drug, following alcohol (34.8%), heroin (20.2%) and methamphetamine (13.5%). Notably, states with the highest per capita admissions for cannabis as a major substance did not have legal recreational sales at the beginning of 2021, despite some allowing medical cannabis use.

South Dakota led the list with 151 admissions per 100,000 people, followed by Iowa, Connecticut, South Carolina, Minnesota, New York, Wyoming, Georgia, North Dakota and New Jersey. States with the lowest marijuana admission rates were New Hampshire, New Mexico, West Virginia, Montana, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, Arizona, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania. Oregon and Washington, both of which legalized recreational cannabis sales in 2021, did not report data for the SAMHSA report.

Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM), a prohibitionist group, pointed out that admissions for marijuana treatment in 2021 declined by more than 10,000 compared to the previous year, despite more states embracing legalization. Heroin treatment admissions also experienced a more substantial decrease during the same timeframe.

However, interpreting admission numbers as indicative of drug-use disorders comes with challenges. Factors such as available space, resources and referral mechanisms impact the types of services individuals receive and for what drugs. For example, self-referral was the most popular referral route in 2021, but the criminal justice system, which differs greatly between states, was the second most popular approach.

A study based on the SAMHSA report from September revealed a decline in referrals for cannabis-related treatment after legalization, attributed to reduced marijuana-related arrests among individuals aged between 18 and 24. Although criminal justice referrals were decreasing nationally, states with legalized marijuana saw a steeper decline post-legalization.

Despite the positive aspect of fewer admissions related to the war on drugs, concerns were raised as admissions fell amid increasing risk factors for problematic cannabis use. Instead of advocating for more criminal justice referrals, the report suggested a greater role for primary care healthcare professionals in recognizing and referring individuals with marijuana use disorder to treatment.

In a different study conducted in August, researchers found that there was a drop in the number of referrals to foster care after cannabis legalization. States that legalized recreational marijuana did not see an increase in foster care admissions associated with drug usage by parents or teenagers.

Conversely, a University of Mississippi study conducted last year linked recreational cannabis legalization to an average minimum 10% drop in foster care admissions, which includes neglect, physical abuse, parental incarceration, and alcohol and other drug abuse.

The body of scientific literature dispelling many of the claims made by prohibitionists is growing, and it shows that ending prohibition and allowing cannabis companies such as SNDL Inc. (NASDAQ: SNDL) to open shop brings benefits without the harms that legalization opponents often mention.

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420 with CNW — AMA Study Contradicts Claims That Drug Overdose Prevention Centers Fuel Crime

New research has found that overdose prevention centers in New York City have not led to an increase in crime. This is despite concerns that the establishment of harm-reduction centers would cause crime to skyrocket. The new findings add to previous research that demonstrated the centers’ potential in decreasing overdose deaths.

Overdose-prevention centers allow individuals to use illegal substances in a supervised environment, helping reduce the risk of harms associated with drug use, such as a fatal overdose.

The study was carried out by researchers at Brown University, the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Connecticut. For their research, the investigators examined crime trends in NYC’s first government-sanctioned overdose prevention centers, which were launched two years ago. They then compared their findings to areas close to more than 15 syringe service programs that did not provide resources to prevent overdose.

The researchers also analyzed 311 and 911 calls, drug-possession arrests, public nuisances, law enforcement summons for criminal infractions and medical events. They observed no considerable increases in calls for emergency services or crimes recorded by law enforcement in neighborhoods where the prevention centers were located.

In addition, they recorded no statistically significant spike in either violent or property crime near these overdose prevention centers. This is despite a reduction in the number of drug-possession arrests made as the state continues to reprioritize law enforcement.

In their report, the researchers stated that statistically significant decreases in narcotics enforcement by the police around these centers was observed, adding that this was consistent with NYC’s commitment to ensuring that individuals could access the centers without any interference by the police. The researchers also noted that more studies were needed to establish that overdose-prevention centers wouldn’t be linked to localized increases in disorder and crime in the long-term.

At the moment, however, the findings strengthen arguments from harm-reduction advocates on the minimal risk associated with using overdose-prevention sites to help alleviate the risk of overdose deaths, as the opioid crisis rages on.

The research’s findings were published by the American Medical Association in “JAMA Public Health.”

A separate study published in 2022 determined that trained staff intervened in more than 100 overdose instances two months after the first overdose prevention center was launched in NYC. The staff are said to have alleviated risks of overdose by administering oxygen and naloxone as well as offering other services to prevent death. Naloxone is a medication that has been approved by the FDA to reverse an opioid overdose.

The positive role that overdose-prevention centers are playing, contrary to the views of detractors, may mirror the positive impact that marijuana companies such as SNDL Inc. (NASDAQ: SNDL) are having in spite of prohibitionists’ alarmist claims that legalizing cannabis does more harm than good to society.

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420 with CNW — Study Suggests Cannabis Enables Users Quit Prescription Sleep Medications

A recent study into the sleep habits of marijuana users facing sleep difficulties shows that a majority of participants prefer cannabis over other sleep aids, citing improved outcomes the following morning and fewer side effects. The consumption of CBD, THC and myrcene-infused joints or vaping products emerged as particularly popular choices among participants.

Contrasted with conventional sleep aids or abstaining from them altogether, respondents conveyed a heightened sense of refreshment, focus and improved functionality in the mornings after using cannabis. This was coupled with a decrease in nausea and headaches. However, users did acknowledge some adverse effects, such as waking up feeling groggy, anxious and irritable.

The study, undertaken by psychology researchers from Washington State University (WSU) and published in the “Exploration of Medicine” journal, is the first to compare marijuana to both over-the-counter (OTC) sleeping medication and prescription sleep aids (PSAs). According to Carrie Cuttler, coauthor of the study, cannabis did not exhibit a hangover effect, differentiating it from alcohol and long-acting sedatives. However, lingering effects SUCH AS sleepiness and mood alterations were reported.

The survey, conducted through the Strainprint medical cannabis app, involved 1,216 participants. A substantial 64.9% disclosed experiencing sleep issues for a minimum of five years, and nearly 70% claimed to have utilized marijuana for sleep aid for at least a year. About 38% had been employing marijuana for sleep assistance for one to three years.

Approximately 82% of marijuana users do not currently rely on PSAs or OTC sleep medications. However, more than one-half admitted to having used those substances in the past, signaling a shift toward perceiving marijuana as a superior option. More than 50% of respondents also revealed using marijuana every night to facilitate sleep, predominantly through smoking joints (46.1%), vaping flowers (42.6%) or marijuana oil (42.5%) before bedtime. Edibles and vape pens were chosen by nearly one-third, while 14.6% opted for cannabis capsules.

Although inhaled forms of cannabis were generally favored, the researchers noted a preference for smoking and vaping among those with sleep issues due to the rapid onset and the high percentage reporting difficulty falling asleep. The surprising observation was the lesser popularity of edibles or capsules, which have a more prolonged effect and could be more beneficial for maintaining sleep.

Concerning product composition, most participants favored high-THC products (60%), with 21.7% choosing a balanced THC–CBD blend. Myrcene emerged as the most popular terpene (49%), followed by linalool, limonene and beta-caryophyllene. Respondents attributed the positive effects of marijuana on sleep to its ability to relax both the body (81%) and mind (83%). It was also seen as preventing sleep interruptions (36.3%) and promoting deeper (56.2%) and longer (41.6%) sleep.

Among the 526 participants who used prescription and OTC sleep aids alongside marijuana, a significantly higher number reported feeling more refreshed, focused and functional after using marijuana compared to other sleep aids or none at all. They also experienced less nausea and fewer headaches. However, some side effects, such as dry mouth and red eyes, were more prevalent with cannabis use. Notably, participants reported more extended sleep durations and fewer nighttime awakenings when using cannabis alone compared to traditional sleep aids. Despite potential side effects, researchers suggested that cannabis’s side effects might be more tolerable than those associated with conventional sleep aids.

Acknowledging the survey’s bias toward individuals already using cannabis, the researchers stressed the need for future research to incorporate more objective sleep measures for a comprehensive understanding of cannabis’s effects on sleep.

It is eye-opening that despite what the prohibitionists say about marijuana, consumers are increasingly relying on products from cannabis companies such as SNDL Inc. (NASDAQ: SNDL) to attain improved sleep and reduce their reliance on prescription sleep aids.

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420 with CNW — Senate Passes Bill Giving VA Doctors Leeway to Recommend Marijuana Treatments

The U.S. Senate has approved a measure that will allow doctors to recommend medical marijuana treatments to military veterans. Titled the Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies (MilCon-VA) Appropriations Act, the bipartisan congressional bill will allow veterans to access medical marijuana as long as they have a government doctor recommendation.

Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) doctors will now have the ability to recommend medical cannabis to their patients as long as they reside in states with legal marijuana markets. The measure will provide support for American military forces and their families in critical facets such as housing and infrastructure while increasing healthcare and benefits funding for military veterans.

It advanced by a unanimous vote of 28–0 and will be a godsend for U.S. military veterans and their families, a community that often doesn’t receive the support it needs. Military veterans are much more likely to develop crippling mental disorders such as depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder, especially soldiers who see active combat.

Many of them fail to integrate into society when they return from war due to limited access to mental-health care services, resulting in tens of thousands of military vets living on the streets.

According to Senate Appropriations Committee vice chair Susan Collins, the bill will provide “much-needed funding” to support the housing and treatment of American military veterans. Collins said that she would keep pushing for funding for the country’s veterans as the measure moves through the appropriations process in her capacity as the Appropriations Committee Vice Chairman. She also noted that the investments made by the legislation are critical to America’s national security and will reduce maintenance costs in the military while ensuring safety and readiness.

Expanding medical marijuana access to veterans has been a hot topic since states began legalizing medical marijuana. While several studies show that cannabis can be effective at alleviating conditions that tend to affect veterans such as chronic pain, anxiety, low appetite and insomnia, federal law still classifies the plant as a Schedule I controlled substance with no medical applications.

Consequently, VA doctors have been unable to recommend medical cannabis to their patients even if they live in states with regulated cannabis markets.

With the new bill’s passage, veterans around the country now have access to medical marijuana with a government doctor’s recommendation, providing them and their families with another tool to deal with the long-term effects of military service.

Companies such as SNDL Inc. (NASDAQ: SNDL) will be watching this development closely as the cannabis industry awaits the DEA’s recommendation regarding the rescheduling of marijuana in the United States. This is because these developments can open more opportunities for not just U.S.-based companies but also enterprises from other countries.

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