420 with CNW – Two Studies Show Marijuana is Helping Patients Avoid Opioids

Two studies show that patients suffering from chronic pain are using marijuana instead of addictive pharmaceuticals to help them manage the pain.

The studies are an addition to the growing body of research on the importance of marijuana in the growing opioid crisis in the United States.

The first study, carried out by researchers from Florida International University, investigated if managing pain was the only reason people substituted opioids with marijuana. The study was published in the International Journal of Drug Policy. The researchers used data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health when evaluating the likelihood of opioid consumption by people in states where medical marijuana is legal and where medical marijuana was not available.

The researchers used the following to evaluate the data, did the respondents use or abuse any pain relief medication in the past year, the states they resided in, and if medical cannabis was legal. They analyzed the surveyed data for the year 2015 through to 2017, which included 120,764 respondents.

The study authors concluded that an analysis of the data resulted in a multivariate logistics regression equation, which showed that a reduction in opioid usage is associated with the medical cannabis laws.

The study states that marijuana helped patients minimize their dependence on opioids significantly because in relieving pain, marijuana and opiates are on the same level; however, most patients prefer to use weed over opioids. The patient’s perception of the treatment and tolerance of the side effect is the basis of a successful treatment plan.

The second study was carried out by researchers from the San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center, who asked direct questions to people on whether or not patients use medical marijuana instead of the prescribed painkillers. The study, which was published in PloS, surveyed 16,280 adults where the researchers asked participants to share information on their opioid and cannabis usage. They also asked them to note if there were any changes in the amount of opioids they used after using marijuana and why the patients substituted cannabis for opioid prescriptions.

Those who responded to the survey were more than half the number of participants, whereby 5% (486) said to have used marijuana and opioid in the past year, 43% used opioid daily, and 23% reported to have used marijuana in the past one month. The study also found that 41% of the respondents stopped or reduced their opioid consumption because of marijuana, 46% did not alter their opioid usage, and 8% increased their opioid intake.

The researchers also found that most Americans substituted marijuana for opioids, with 36% crediting it to better at pain management, 32% experienced fewer side effects, and 26% associated it to fewer withdrawal symptoms. Thirteen percent said the medicine was cheap, and the remaining thirteen percent said they used it due to social acceptance.

The two studies show the importance of mitigating opioid use and misuse when caring for patients. And, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Pain Management Inter-Agency echoed the same sentiments earlier this year.

Analysts believe these findings are in line with what the cannabis industry, including actors like Youngevity International Inc. (NASDAQ: YGYI) and Therma Bright Inc. (TSX.V: THRM) (OTC: THBRF), has always known as the benefit of medical marijuana in taming the opioid crisis.

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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 – How Custom Packaging Can Give Marijuana Brands an Edge

Marijuana is a booming business, and no one can dispute that fact. In 2014 Colorado legalized recreational marijuana, and that same year 147 dispensaries were launched in the state. The number of dispensaries has continued to grow, and by 2018 there were 509 dispensaries. Since then, six other states have implemented recreational marijuana programs.

The marijuana industry is growing at a rate that has never been experienced before, and cannabis brands are faced with differentiation challenges since every year, hundreds of marijuana brands are launched. Joining the marijuana business are high profile celebrities such as the former boxer Mike Tyson and Tommy Chong, the comedian. Competition is very stiff in the weed industry, and brands are faced with the problem of developing a unique, trustworthy and recognizable brand while still adhering to the strict state rules regarding marijuana.

The main rule that any marijuana business must adhere to is securing high-quality marijuana packaging. This means that the businesses must use food-grade materials and designs which are child-proof. That is, they cannot use tubes or bags that can be easily opened by children. The packaging of cannabis products should be able to maintain and protect the integrity of the cannabis product while keeping its freshness intact, as well as adhere to the safety regulations as stipulated by the the federal government and other authorities.

For the marijuana brands to be successful in the crowded marijuana market, not only should they comply with the stringent rules, but they should also develop brands that are unique and able to attract a following of loyal clients.

Stefanie Singer of Greenlane Premium dispensary and smoke shop distributor says that for a company to create a unique brand, they should focus on developing customizable packaging as it will help promote brand awareness. She says that the company should choose a container with the right design, such as colors, branding, and the finishes which will help differentiate and elevate your brand; thus, creating a lasting impact on your customers.

Part of the Greenlane products is the Pollen Gear, with which Greenlane is on a mission to ensure that companies get their preferred packaging, which will help elevate their own brands through quality, custom-designed containers which are made from sustainable materials. The vessels include glass jars, which are child-proof, patented PopBox, and SnapTech containers. The packaging for pollen Gear is airtight, durable, and lightweight, and the containers can be made as per the customer’s request in terms of color, logos, and finishes that show the right brand appearance and sensation.

Your brand should not only be about the packaging; it should tell a story to the customers. For instance, a company that uses recyclable and sustainable material can elevate its brand’s relationship with the customers because of a shared mission of maintaining a clean environment.

Developing a unique and trustworthy brand in the crowded marijuana market is not an easy task. Therefore the brand should ally with reliable partners who will provide them with an easy and convenient way of obtaining cannabis products that are customized, compliant and sustainably packaged.

It would be eye-opening to hear what measures cannabis companies like Green Growth Brands Inc. (CSE: GGB) (OTCQB: GGBXF) and Therma Bright Inc. (TSX.V: THRM) (OTC: THRBF) took to grow their brands to the level at which they are.

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420 with CNW – Snoop Dogg Draws Crowds to Oregon Marijuana Dispensary Opening

On Saturday, there was a grand opening of a dispensary in Hotbox Farms in Ontario and thousands of people were in attendance to witness the event as well as see Snoop Dogg’s live performance.

The dispensary, which is owned by Steven Meland, is the third one to open in Ontario, Oregon. In an interview with CBS 2, Meland who also owns hotbox farms on Huntington says that he has been planning to open the dispensary for a long time. He further states that Hotbox is a community-based business which caters for the needs of the community and that is why they voted for the dispensary to be located there.

The concert is a way of giving back to the community and introduce the dispensary, he added.

The entrance-free event required an immediate police response because of the celebrities attending and an influx of tourists to the city.

The Ontario police found out about the event when they met with Meland on Friday. They also found out that he had only applied for the permit for use of fireworks, food catering and beer garden. Meland was yet to file a permit for Special Events or noise variance. This left the police with less time to prepare to ensure the safety of the crowd and enough parking space.

The Ontario police Sergeant Dave Walters was concerned about the parking space, the means of getting in and out of the venue by the crowd, and how the medical specialists were to access the area in case of a medical emergency. He further states that if proper permits were filed and in good time, they would have had enough time to prepare for the event.

Walters said that if something happens, it will be impossible for the police to control a crowd of 5,000 people on a two-acre lot. In response to the sergeant of police, Meland says the event must happen, and it did.

The event coincided with the ban on flavored vaping products which was announced by Kate Brown, the Oregon governor.

Meland was happy that the governor did not issue a flat out ban on vapes because most the vape pens with issues are found on the illicit and unregulated market.

He is confident that his business will not be affected by the ban because his company only deals with vape pen brands that select strains. He knows the people from whom he is sourcing CBD products, and those given the permit to trade his products. That is why he is confident that their products will remain on the shelves when the definition of the products being banned is released.

Experts are of the view that the entire marijuana industry, including players like Wildflower Brands Inc. (CSE: SUN) (OTCQB: WLDFF) and Therma Bright Inc. (TSX.V: THRM) (OTC: THRBF), is pleased that Meland opened his dispensary in such a grand way that involved the entire community.

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420 with CNW – Canberra Becomes the First City to Legalize Recreational Marijuana in Australia

Following a landmark vote on Tuesday, Canberra becomes the first city to legalize recreational marijuana in Australia. The passed bill allows individuals who are 18 years plus to legally possess, use and cultivate small amounts of weed for recreational use.

The ABC state broadcaster reported that the new law would be implemented as from the last day of January next year. The new law stipulates that Canberra residents can legally possess up to 1.76 ounces of dried weed and cultivate a maximum of two or four plants per person or household, respectively.

Although the Australian government does not support the legalization of marijuana for personal use, Canberra becomes first in Australia’s six states such as Victoria, South Wales, and two territories; Northern Territory and Southern Australia to legalize recreational marijuana.

In Australia, drug laws differ on a state by state basis. The current ACT law stipulates that a person cultivating marijuana plants or in possession of 1.76 ounces of dried marijuana will attract a fine of $108 while those possessing more than 1.76 ounces will attract a two-year sentence or a fine of 8000 Australian dollars.

Marijuana is one of the primary drugs that is highly abused in Australia. In the financial year 2017-2018, cannabis-related arrest were 72,000, of which 92% of these comprised of cannabis consumers.

Conflicting with the national drug laws is the ACT’s new law allowing people to possess marijuana. ACT’s law which was passed by ten votes, states that driving with detectable levels of marijuana is a prosecutable offense. It is not the first time for the federal laws to conflict with the ACT’s laws. In 2013, same-sex marriage was legalized by the ACT, but the High Court of Australia cancelled the bill citing that it was inconsistent with the federal law.

Times are changing, and the Australian parliament is not left behind. In 2016, it approved the first bill in Australia, allowing people to grow marijuana legally for medical and research purposes.

New Zealand, a country which neighbors Australia, has legalized the used of medical cannabis. However, recreational marijuana is prohibited in New Zealand. The country plans on holding a referendum to legalize marijuana for personal use in 2020. If New Zealand is successful in legalizing Marijuana for recreational purposes, it will be the third country on the globe.

In the United States, nearly a dozen states, including Washington, D.C., permit the use of recreational marijuana. Additionally, many parts of Europe have decriminalized recreational marijuana.

Industry experts think that whenever marijuana companies like Therma Bright Inc. (TSX.V: THRM) (OTC: THRBF) and TransCanna Holdings Inc. (CSE: TCAN) (FRA: TH8) see news of marijuana reforms in other jurisdictions, they wonder when the U.S. federak government will take the cue and reform its own outdated marijuana laws.

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420 with CNW – Mexican Senate to Start Debating Cannabis Legalization This Week

The Senate in Mexico is set to start debating the legalization of marijuana this week, according to information from the leader of the Morena Party.

Different Senate committees will consider the different proposals before them before a bill is put together, possibly by the end of October.

Jesusa Rodriguez Martinez, a Senator belonging to the Morena Party, revealed that there are thirteen legalization proposals before the upper chamber of the Mexico legislature. These proposals will all be discussed during open committee sessions.

During those sessions, members of the public and other stakeholders will be invited to share their views on those proposals.

Early this year, the Supreme Court of Mexico made a landmark ruling that it was unconstitutional for the government to prohibit the recreational use of marijuana by adults. That latest ruling was the fifth such ruling, and under Mexican law, once the Supreme Court makes five similar rulings on a matter, then all other courts are obliged to rule in the same way if a similar matter is brought before them.

It should be remembered that the Supreme Court also gave the government a deadline within which the appropriate law should be drafted and passed. The clock is ticking on that deadline so the lawmakers have to act fast to avoid missing the court-imposed deadline.

During a summit held at the Senate to kick start discussions on marijuana legalization, a former U.S. narcotics official, Gil Kerlikowske, addressed the summit. He urged the lawmakers to pass what he called “robust regulation” to keep minors from accessing recreational cannabis.

He referred to research that suggests that marijuana can be harmful to the developing brains of young people. Strict regulation is required to prevent such harm, he argued.

He also added that there should be strict rules governing the production, packaging and marketing of recreational marijuana once it becomes legal. Kerlikowske also recommended that the country taxes recreational marijuana and the tax revenue should be directed towards marijuana law enforcement efforts, drug prevention and rehabilitation of those suffering from drug use disorders.

In an indirect criticism of the U.S. states that have legalized recreational marijuana, Kerlikowske said that they had all failed to stamp out the black market and yet eliminating the black market is vital to controlling recreational marijuana in any jurisdiction.

It remains to be seen what form the Mexican legalization law will take. Analysts think industry actors like Therma Bright Inc. (TSX.V: THRM) (OTC: THRBF) and TransCanna Holdings Inc. (CSE: TCAN) (FRA: TH8) are confident that the Mexicans have done their research and will pass a law that is good for all stakeholders, such as law enforcement and consumers.

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420 with CNW – Mexican Senator Files Cannabis Legalization Bill as Supreme Court Deadline Looms

Barely a month before the deadline given by the Mexican Supreme Court compelling the government to pass legalization legalizing marijuana elapses, a senator has filed a bill to end prohibition.

Sen. Julio Menchaca Salazar, the chair of the Senate Judicial Committee and a member of the ruling party in the country, filed the bill that seeks to legalize the possession, cultivation and use of marijuana by adults.

The bill intends to amend two existing laws while also providing for the use of medical marijuana. The bill will also legalize the use of industrial hemp in the manufacture of textiles.

During a speech delivered on the floor of Mexico’s Senate, Salazar argued that the prohibition of marijuana only benefited criminal enterprises. He also pointed out that it was possible to legalize and regulate the marijuana market, and he cited the example of different states in the U.S. that had done so successfully.

The introduction of this bill was made just a week after the Mexican Senate announced that it was going to conduct a series of events that were geared at encouraging dialogue about the objectives and the likely challenges that may be faced while the legal cannabis industry is implemented.

Talk about reforming Mexico’s marijuana laws has been an ongoing thing, but the movement only gathered momentum after the Supreme Court made a crucial fifth ruling last year to the effect that the government was in violation of the constitution by prohibiting adults from consuming recreational marijuana.

That ruling effectively tied the hands of the government and forced it to begin working out how the recreational marijuana industry can be regulated. In fact, Salazar revealed that legislators would use their recess in the summer to draft a legalization law.

True to that promise, a bill was introduced from amongst the many that the public had been told about. Since this particular bill is coming from a leading figure in the ruling government, there is a high likelihood that it will be passed without major changes. President Lopez Obrador has also spoken in favor of legalization, so it is unlikely that the bill will encounter any serious hurdles.

When the bill is eventually passed and implementation begins, yet another neighbor to the U.S. will have legalized marijuana and this could apply subtle pressure on the U.S. to reform its own marijuana laws as reform advocates would refer to the success attained in those neighboring countries.

Industry analysts believe that marijuana industry players like The Supreme Cannabis Company Inc. (TSX.V: FIRE) (OTCQX: SPRWF) and Therma Bright Inc. (TSX.V: THRM) (OTC: THRBF) take comfort in the hope that marijuana reforms will eventually take place at the federal level in the U.S., so it is just a matter of waiting out this interim period.

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420 with CNW – Study Finds Cannabis Flower Tops Other Cannabis Products in Providing Pain Relief

A study whose findings were published towards the end of July has found that dried marijuana flower provides the highest level of pain relief when compared to other marijuana products. This conclusion was made after analyzing the data collected by an app which allows medical marijuana users to track the effects of the different medical marijuana products and dosage for different health conditions.

The New Mexico University researchers wrote that higher THC concentrations in marijuana flower and other cannabis products were associated with better pain relief outcomes among the patients who used the Releaf App to track their medical cannabis usage.

In contrast, CBD showed pain relief effects only up to a certain level, while the additional concentration was associated with no additional benefit yet gastrointestinal complaints increased among the patients who used products with higher concentrations of CBD. This is in line with research that shows the benefits of CBD start leveling off when patients consume higher doses of the compound.

Overall, the study looked at 20,513 sessions of marijuana use logged in the app by 2,987 patients for more than two years (June 6, 2016 to October 24, 2018). 95 percent of all the patients reported marked relief from pain and the average reduction was 3.1 points on a self-reported pain scale ranging from 0-10. The starting level of pain was an average of 5.87 and this average dropped to 2.77 after the patients had used marijuana for their pain.

Another highlight of this study was that cannabis concentrates were linked to more side effects than dried cannabis flower. The researchers suspect that those negative side effects could have been caused by the residues of the solvents used to extract the concentrates, or because other cannabis compounds, such as terpenes and flavonoids, are lost during the extraction process.

The research also revealed that marijuana products which were hybrids of sativa and indica marijuana strains exhibited better pain management when compared to those that were either purely indica or purely sativa in nature.

It was also noted that the patients who said that they had pain in the stomach or gastrointestinal system benefited most from products with lower concentrations of THC than from products high in THC.

Interestingly, the patients who used marijuana tinctures, pills and edibles reported less relief from pain when compared to those who used cannabis concentrates, dried flower and topical products.

This research done on a large population of medical marijuana users provides some of the best proof so far available regarding the role of THC in pain management. Industry watchers are eager to see how different entities like Therma Bright Inc. (TSX.V: THRM) (OTC: THRBF) and TransCanna Holdings Inc. (CSE: TCAN) (FRA: TH8) will make use of these research findings in their products.

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420 with CNW – Arizona Cannabis Legalization Effort Takes First Step

The Smart and Safe Arizona Initiative has filed a petition with the Secretary of State for clearance so that the group can start a campaign to gather signatures which will see marijuana legalization put on the state’s 2020 ballot.

Under the initiative, adults who are 21 or older will be able to buy, possess, consume and cultivate marijuana in the state. The initiative also has provisions that will make it possible for people with prior low-level marijuana convictions to have their records wiped clean.

Under the proposal, a fraction of the tax revenue generated from the sale of recreational marijuana will be allocated to the community colleges in the state, as well as to the health and infrastructure sectors.

Some of the provisions in this initiative favor the medical marijuana companies which are currently operating in Arizona. For example, the proposal suggests that the medical marijuana dispensaries in the state will have first priority as retail licenses are issued to companies that would like to participate in the distribution of recreational marijuana. Additional retailers can then be selected randomly by the Arizona Department of Health once the medical cannabis dispensaries have been granted retail licenses.

While this initiative has provisions which are intended to win the support of the marijuana industry in the state, there are other provisions which favor the customer. For instance, the inclusion of home cultivation is good for residents because it gives them a way to keep their costs low, if they have the interest in growing their own marijuana.

The proposed legalization initiative suggests some restrictions on marijuana edibles. These include a ban on the sale of gummy worms and gummy bears which resemble products consumed by children. The THC content of marijuana edibles would also be capped at 10mg per serving.

This initiative is coming at a time when support for marijuana legalization is high, but a number of factors may make the work of the campaigners hard.

For example, Gov. Doug Ducey (R) is opposed to marijuana legalization and is on record saying he was glad that a previous ballot measure in 2016 had failed.

The campaigners will also be aware that medical marijuana was legalized through a slim majority during the elections of 2010. Getting the 237,645 voter signatures to put the initiative on the ballot may therefore the easy part while the real work lies in convincing voters that marijuana legalization is good for them and the state.

For now, the activists in Arizona can count on the support of the cannabis industry in the state as well as the growing interest in seeing an end to marijuana prohibition across the U.S. as factors working in their favor.

Industry analysts believe that marijuana industry actors like Therma Bright Inc. (TSX.V: THRM) (OTC: THRBF) and TransCanna Holdings Inc. (CSE: TCAN) (FRA: TH8) will be watching events in Arizona closely in the run up to the elections.

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420 with CNW – Florida Activists Notch First Victory in Campaign to Put Cannabis Legalization on the 2020 Ballot

An effort to legalize recreational marijuana in Florida registered its first victory on Monday when reform activists announced that they had collected a sufficient number of signatures in order to trigger a process through which the state’s Supreme Court would review the language of their petition.

If the court approves the petition’s language, Regulate Florida, the group behind the legalization effort, will face its biggest hurdle yet. At least 766, 200 voter signatures will need to be collected in order to put cannabis legalization on the state ballot next year. This required number of signatures is approximately ten times what the group had to collect in order to get the Supreme Court to review the measure’s language.

The activists observe that it is very expensive to collect signatures in support of such an initiative. For example, it costs about $2 to print, collect and validate each petition. The reform advocates have not yet received any financial backing from John Morgan, the personal injury attorney who bankrolled the effort to legalize medical cannabis in the state in 2016. Morgan had also financed a failed attempt to legalize recreational marijuana in the state in 2014.

The personal injury attorney seems to have opted to put his money behind an initiative to increase the minimum wage in the state. He is reported to have said that he is doubtful that Florida is ready for recreational marijuana even if recent polls show that 65 percent of adults in the state want to see an end to marijuana prohibition.

However, the activists are confident that Florida voters will do what the lawmakers have failed to do on several occasions. For example, a bill to legalize recreational marijuana stalled even before a hearing had been scheduled in the state legislature.

Regulate Florida has also adopted another tactic to make the recreational marijuana initiate more attractive. They are positioning this effort as a measure which will make the medical marijuana program more patient-friendly since patients will be allowed to grow a limited number of marijuana plants for their medical needs. Home cultivation wasn’t allowed under the law through which the medical marijuana program was legalized.

The activists are now calling for volunteers to help in the signature collection process, and they are also appealing for donations to fund the signature collectors who aren’t volunteers. Analysts believe that the cannabis industry, including TransCanna Holdings Inc. (CSE: TCAN) (FRA: TH8) and Therma Bright Inc. (TSX.V: THRM) (OTC: THRBF), will be rooting for the reform advocates since the wall of prohibition needs to be pegged back in as many states as possible if the industry is to reach its full potential.

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420 with CNW – More than 100 Cannabis Businesses Ask Congress to Consider Social Equity During Legalization

A coalition of more than a hundred cannabis companies and industry groups has sent a letter to Congress urging lawmakers to include social equity in any legislation that is proposed as a way of ending marijuana prohibition.

The letter, sent on Thursday last week, asserts that the work of Congress will be incomplete if they only stopped at legalizing marijuana without going further to address issues of social equity.

More specifically, the groups and associations that signed this letter express concern that the people who were worst affected by the War on Drugs are likely to be left behind as the marijuana industry takes off because those individuals who have a past conviction for marijuana-related charges are explicitly barred from participating in the legal marijuana industry in the states where marijuana is legal. These individuals are also unable to raise the capital needed to participate meaningfully in what the signees called “the new green rush.”

The letter states that in 2018, the sale of recreational and medical marijuana in the states that approved marijuana generated $10.4 billion, and $1.2 billion went to state governments in the form of taxes. Additionally, more than 200,000 people have jobs in the legal cannabis industry, but a significant proportion of people from the communities which were disproportionately affected by the prohibitionist laws are staying behind due to the constraints they face.

The coalition proposes a number of suggestions that Congress can consider in order to right the wrongs done during the War on Drugs.

For example, the letter suggests that in addition to descheduling marijuana at the federal level, Congress should pass a law allowing banks to service cannabis businesses without any fear of federal action against them.

The coalition also recommends that Congress should appropriate funds towards a social equity program so that the individuals and communities who suffered the most during prohibition can be facilitated or supported to take part in the legal cannabis industry across the country.

Another recommendation is that the criminal records of people on charges related to marijuana should be expunged so that those people no longer suffer the collateral consequences of those convictions.

4Front Ventures led the effort to write this letter. Other signees included Marijuana Policy Project, Michigan Cannabis Industry Association, MJ Freeway, Minority Cannabis Business Association, Americans for Safe Access, National Cannabis Industry Association (NCIA), and Berkeley Patients Group, among others.

This letter comes soon after another coalition of drug reform and civil rights groups also wrote to Congress making suggestions regarding how marijuana justice could be realized in any law that is passed to end cannabis prohibition.

Pundits believe that the marijuana industry, including companies like Therma Bright Inc. (TSX.V: THRM) (OTC: THRBF) and The Supreme Cannabis Company Inc. (TSX.V: FIRE) (OTCQX: SPRWF), will be hoping that Congress uses the recommendations made by the different groups that have written to it when debating a comprehensive marijuana policy reform law.

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