420 with CNW — Seasonal Marijuana Harvesters in Demand Amid Layoffs

The competition for seasonal workers for this year’s outdoor cannabis harvest has been relatively fierce. Many marijuana growers have downsized their full-time workforce in recent years in response to inflation, high-interest rates and the substantial capital required to compensate for this labor shortage.

Over the past one and a half years, there have been numerous layoffs in the industry, resulting in slimmer crews that require additional assistance during the harvest season, according to Viridian Staffing CEO Kara Bradford. An April report from Vangst showed that total cannabis job numbers have declined by 2% since 2022, marking the first decline in the industry since the legalization of marijuana in various states.

EzHire Cannabis CEO and cofounder Jacob Carlson noted that cannabis companies struggled to establish full-time cultivation teams with competitive salaries and benefits, resulting in the need for temporary workers.

The demand for seasonal employees has also surged due to increasing competition from mainstream industries grappling with similar economic challenges.

Viridian has seen a surge in requests for temporary workers during the fall’s “Croptober,” when most outdoor harvests occur. However, Bradford stated that companies are often deterred by the costs associated with hiring a recruitment firm, as they mistakenly assume that temporary workers are cheaper than full-time employees.

In reality, factors such as inflation and rising wages have made temporary workers costly. Currently, the average hourly pay for a marijuana trimmer is $16, which can go up to $40 depending on experience. In addition to this, recruitment companies have to cover expenses such as workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance and workplace safety training, which many operators overlook, making the hiring cost high.

The work involved in cannabis harvesting is more demanding than regular retail jobs, leading to higher turnover rates. Additionally, in some states, growers face obstacles such as background checks and criminal record checks when hiring temporary marijuana workers.

Larger companies, especially multistate operators, have a financial advantage and can afford to pay higher wages to attract seasonal workers. Smaller operators, on the other hand, may find it challenging to compete, given the cost constraints.

In the past, full-time, noncultivation employees were used for outdoor harvests; today, more companies are seeking temporary workers with experience. Trimmers, in particular, require knowledge and experience because the job can be isolating, with long hours spent alone. For small companies, this means higher costs, which can be hard for some to meet.

Karson Humiston, CEO of Vangst, views the increased demand for seasonal workers as a sign of a maturing market. She stated that companies have become more adept at predicting the labor needs, particularly during the fall harvest season, which necessitates additional workers. “The early demand for autumn harvest workers as early as April is a positive sign, indicating that businesses are adopting more sophisticated HR strategies to better forecast their labor needs,” she said.

The labor changes being seen regarding harvesters shows how the marijuana industry and its players like Tilray Brands Inc. (NASDAQ: TLRY) (TSX: TLRY) will adjust their systems in order to stay afloat even when the market experiences headwinds like the current high inflation.

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CNW420 spotlights the latest developments in the rapidly evolving cannabis industry through the release of two informative articles each business day. Our concise, informative content serves as a gateway for investors interested in the legalized cannabis sector and provides updates on how regulatory developments may impact financial markets. Articles are released each business day at 4:20 a.m. and 4:20 p.m. Eastern – our tribute to the time synonymous with cannabis culture. If marijuana and the burgeoning industry surrounding it are on your radar, CNW420 is for you! Check back daily to stay up-to-date on the latest milestones in the fast -changing world of cannabis.

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420 with CNW — Study Says Marijuana Users Fared Better with COVID-19

Recent research presented at a conference in Hawaii indicates that individuals who contracted COVID-19 and who had used cannabis experienced more favorable outcomes and a reduced mortality rate compared to those who didn’t. These findings were shared during a presentation at the annual meeting of the American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST).

To carry out the research, a team of scientists scrutinized the medical records of more than 320,000 patients collected from the U.S. National Inpatient Sample, a database monitoring hospital admissions and outcomes. Any patients under the age of 18 years old or those with incomplete information were excluded from the study. Among the patients surveyed, only 1% — 2,603 patients — reported cannabis use.

These patients were classified into two groups based on their cannabis usage. To ensure comparability, the data from the study was employed to match cannabis users with nonusers in a one-to-one ratio based on factors such as gender, race, age and 17 other comorbidities, including chronic lung conditions. The research findings revealed a significant contrast between marijuana users and nonusers, with cannabis users displaying a notably lower mortality rate (2.9% versus 13.5%). Furthermore, cannabis users experienced significantly fewer COVID-19 complications such as multiorgan failure, acute respiratory distress syndrome and intubation.

The analysis brought to light that, on univariate assessment, cannabis users exhibited notably lower rates of intubation (6.8% versus 12%), acute respiratory distress syndrome (2.1% versus 6%), acute respiratory failure (25% versus 52.9%), severe sepsis resulting in multiorgan failure (5.8% versus 12%), in-hospital cardiac arrest (1.2% versus 2.7%) and mortality (2.9% versus 13.5%). The authors underlined the clinical implications of these findings and urged further exploration of the potential association between COVID-19 outcomes and marijuana use.

Research into potential links between marijuana and COVID-19 has been relatively scarce. In 2022, a study found that among patients hospitalized with COVID-19, cannabis users exhibited milder COVID-19 symptoms and markedly improved health results. Another study conducted the same year also indicated that marijuana use was associated with a reduced risk of contracting COVID-19, though it was also correlated with more severe infections.

Additionally, in 2022, researchers from the University of Oregon conducted a laboratory study that suggested marijuana compounds could prevent COVID-19 infection in human cells. These findings have prompted further investigations into cannabis as a potential treatment for COVID-19.

The recent study, titled “Exploring the Relationship Between Cannabis Smoking and COVID-19,” has been published in this month’s supplement to the peer-reviewed “CHEST” Journal.

This study, together with more scientific literature that is becoming available, gives further credence to the concept of medicinal marijuana and encourages entities such as Tilray Brands Inc. (NASDAQ: TLRY) (TSX: TLRY) to keep developing more medical cannabis products for their clients.

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420 with CNW — Mismatch Grows Between the Public’s Interest In, Education About Cannabis

Public perceptions about cannabis have come a long way over the past couple of decades. For the generations that grew up during the war on drugs era, cannabis was framed as a dangerous illicit drug that acted as a gateway to more hardcore drug use and increased criminal activity in communities. However, as states such as California began legalizing cannabis for medical use over two decades ago and state-level cannabis criminalization steadily reduced, attitudes toward cannabis across the country began to improve.

These days, most nationwide polls show that the majority of the country is in favor of legalizing medical cannabis use or at least decriminalizing the use and possession of marijuana.

Despite the fact that marijuana enjoys growing nationwide support, there seems to be a mismatch between public interest and accurate cannabis knowledge. In fact, with support for cannabis growing, the gap between public interest in the controversial drug and education about it seems to be growing even faster.

This gap is largely caused by the proliferation of misinformation and inaccurate information in America’s state-level cannabis industry, resulting in a population that has an immense interest in cannabis but doesn’t always receive the right information regarding the plant. On the other end of the spectrum are members of the public who are interested in cannabis but have no strong inclination to learn.

Some misconceptions about cannabis have become so entrenched that budtenders, or individuals tasked with knowing the most about cannabis and informing interested customers, often talk about things such as the “indica and sativa effect,” even though they aren’t scientifically accurate.

Another aspect of the nascent cannabis sector that is rife with misinformation is THC potency in cannabis and cannabis-infused products. With extraction methods becoming more refined in recent years, cannabis companies are developing increasingly potent THC products.

Many companies tout their products’ high THC levels as a top selling point to capitalize on the public’s increasing obsession with high THC products. A lot of these companies claim to be interested in teaching consumers about cannabis, but they continue to push high-THC cannabis strains as high-quality products without stating their potential side effects.

Conflating high-THC products with the industry standard has led many consumers to mistakenly believe that more potent cannabis products are inherently superior to low-THC products. This assumption causes many to miss out on the purported benefits of consuming whole cannabis with all the cannabinoids (including THC), terpenes, flavonoids and other plant compounds.

Local, state and federal entities now need to work with industry actors such as Tilray Brands Inc. (NASDAQ: TLRY) to bridge the information gap evident within the members of the public.

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420 with CNW — SAFER Banking Bill Clears Panel, Heads to Senate Floor

The Senate Banking Committee advanced a new bill on Sept. 27, 2023, that would grant marijuana businesses access to banking services. The bipartisan measure, the Secure and Fair Enforcement Regulation (SAFER) Banking Act, seeks to provide legal safeguards for financial institutions that choose to offer services to state-regulated cannabis enterprises.

Senator Jeff Merkley (D), the bill’s lead sponsor, celebrated this progress as a historic event, highlighting the remarkable spirit of cooperation across party lines.

He expressed his concerns about the current scenario where legal cannabis businesses are forced to operate solely in cash, terming it an invitation to criminal activities such as organized crime, robberies and money laundering. Merkley articulated his commitment to fostering bipartisan support to ultimately enact legislation that eradicates the cash-driven marijuana economy, thereby bolstering public safety nationwide.

The bill also boasts support from Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D) and Senators Steve Daines (R), Kyrsten Sinema (I) and Cynthia Lummis (R). The lawmakers issued a joint statement underscoring the legislation’s potential to create safer environments for small businesses and local communities by granting legal marijuana enterprises access to conventional financial services, such as bank accounts and small business loans.

Despite the legalization of marijuana for medical and recreational use in 39 states, the industry has grappled with growth limitations due to its classification as a Schedule I substance under federal law. This has deterred many banking institutions from offering financial services to cannabis-related businesses, thus restricting their access to capital and broader markets. As a result, state-regulated marijuana enterprises have been compelled to conduct their operations exclusively in cash, exposing them to the perils of theft, organized crime and money laundering.

Given the expansion of recreational marijuana markets in various states, analysts from the MJBizFactbook anticipate that the combined sales of recreational and medical marijuana in the United States will reach $33.6 billion by the close of 2023.

The recent Senate vote represents a historic milestone, marking the first time the Senate has considered such legislation. While a previous iteration of the bill, the SAFE Banking Act, enjoyed multiple House approvals, it faced repeated obstacles in the Senate under both Republican and Democratic control.

The latest version of the bill also includes stringent provisions for federal regulators, preventing them from closing cannabis-related accounts without valid justification and from denying banking services based on political motivations and personal beliefs. The fate of the bill now hinges on the potentially more challenging terrain of the Republican-controlled House.

The entire cannabis industry, including major entities such as Tilray Brands Inc. (NASDAQ: TLRY) (TSX: TLRY), is waiting with bated breath as they follow how this landmark bill will be handled on the U.S. Senate floor.

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420 with CNW — New York Clamps Down on Marijuana Black Market as Licensed Firms Struggle

New York authorities are intensifying their efforts to combat the proliferation of unlicensed shops selling marijuana across the state in response to the ongoing struggle to establish a thriving legal marketplace for the substance. With the legalization of cannabis in 2021, an influx of unauthorized vendors peddling cannabis, vape products, edibles and more has posed a significant challenge to the state’s legal cannabis industry, with New York City bearing the brunt. Presently, only 23 legal cannabis dispensaries are operational statewide, and nine are located in NYC.

A recent study conducted by the Independent Budget Office of NYC revealed that approximately 1,500 unregulated retailers within the city may be holding marijuana products worth $484 million. If these products were to be sold through legal channels, it could generate a substantial $19.4 million in revenue for NYC.

In response, the state has escalated its efforts to crack down on unregulated shops by increasing the frequency of inspections, imposing fines and even ordering closures when necessary. These measures extend beyond the stores themselves, with landlords now facing penalties of up to $10,000 if they knowingly lease commercial properties to unlicensed sellers.

The crackdown on these illicit operations is not just a legal matter; it also has significant economic implications. Unlicensed sales deprive the state of much-needed revenue, as the state imposes a 13% retail tax on all cannabis products, with additional taxes based on the potency levels of THC.

Beyond the financial considerations, unlicensed shops also present substantial health risks. A 2022 study commissioned by the New York Medical Marijuana Industry Association, which examined products from 20 illicit stores in NYC, discovered that around 40% of these products contained harmful contaminants such as salmonella, lead and E. coli.

The state’s Marijuana Control Board recently announced plans to open up license applications to the general public as well as to multistate medical companies and manufacturers. Previously, licenses were restricted to individuals with prior cannabis-related convictions under the Conditional Adult Use Retail Dispensary (CAURD) program. This move is expected to expand the number of legal cannabis shops throughout the state, further shaping the future of New York’s cannabis industry.

While illicit sales have been fueled partly by delays in the opening of legal dispensaries, experts anticipate a decline in such sales in the years ahead. New Frontier Data, a marijuana research company, projects that illicit sales, which were estimated to reach $7 billion annually in 2023, will decrease to approximately $3 billion by 2030 in New York.

The black market isn’t only a concern in New York. Major marijuana companies such as Tilray Brands Inc. (NASDAQ: TLRY) (TSX: TLRY) also have to contend with illicit marijuana sellers in the jurisdictions where they operate, and authorities are constantly trying to weed out black market actors so that only licensed operators can sell their products.

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420 with CNW — NY Recreational Cannabis Rollout Hits Another Snag as Judge Halts Business Licensing

The rollout of recreational cannabis in New York has faced yet another hurdle as a judge from the state’s Supreme Court has put a halt on all applications for business licenses to establish adult-use marijuana dispensaries. The judge cited inconsistent and unclear information from regulating officials. This recent setback adds to the challenges that have characterized the launch of legalized marijuana in New York.

The issue revolves around a program called the Conditional Adult Use Retail Dispensary (CAURD), managed by the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM). When the state legalized marijuana in March 2021, lawmakers and cannabis regulators initially announced that a portion of retail licenses would be reserved for small nonprofit organizations and individuals who had been adversely affected by the war on drugs.

This exclusion left out several potential marijuana businesses, including those with existing medical cannabis licenses, often owned by larger multistate operators. Some of these operators took legal action against the state earlier this year. Additionally, a group of service-disabled military veterans filed a lawsuit against the state, arguing that the CAURD program violates their rights and is unconstitutional because they were not eligible for permits.

As a response to this lawsuit, Judge Kevin Bryant, presiding over the State Supreme Court, issued an injunction on Aug. 7, 2023, which temporarily suspended all CAURD applications. This injunction was subsequently upheld on Aug. 18. While the OCM has granted licenses to a few hundred emerging CAURD businesses, records from the agency indicate that only 23 legal marijuana retail stores are operational in the state. Interestingly, more than 1,500 unlicensed cannabis retailers are currently operating exclusively in New York City.

Last week, a glimmer of hope emerged for certain applicants when the state released a list of 30 CAURD applicants that had made significant progress in the application process and were thus exempt from Judge Bryant’s order. However, in a subsequent ruling last week, Bryant noted that information from the OCM indicated that not all 30 applicants had fulfilled the necessary licensing prerequisites. As a result, he directed OCM to provide an updated list of potential injunction-exempt applicants under oath, planning a comprehensive, individualized order.

This series of events has taken many by surprise and left both applicants and observers feeling perplexed. Osbert Orduña, CEO of the Cannabis Place, which is in the process of applying for a CAURD license to operate in Queens, expressed disappointment in the recent developments. He emphasized that this setback has negative repercussions for small businesses, potential employees and cannabis consumers in New York — all affected by a lawsuit initiated by a small group of individuals.

These regulatory hiccups can be massively disruptive, and even established companies such as Tilray Brands Inc. (NASDAQ: TLRY) (TSX: TLRY) may possibly reconsider staying in a market that doesn’t have a reliable regulatory regime guiding operators, creating uncertainty about the stability of the rules under which they operate.

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CannabisNewsBreaks – Lucy Scientific Discovery Inc. (NASDAQ: LSDI) Acquires High Times Intellectual Property, Featured in Financial News Media Article

Lucy Scientific Discovery (NASDAQ: LSDI) today announced the acquisition of the intellectual property (“IP”) of High Times, an iconic brand in the cannabis industry. In addition to the Hightimes.com domain, the transaction also includes the trademarks for the Cannabis Cup and 420.com brands and their respective domain names. In exchange, High Times will receive a 19.9% stake in Lucy’s outstanding stock as well as performance-based payments.

“Lucy expects this acquisition to drive high margin revenue quickly and sustainably across the cannabis sector around the world. This is a great opportunity to grow the market presence of the nearly 50-year-old High Times brand globally through licensing and online distribution,” Lucy Scientific Discovery Executive Chairman and CEO Richard Nanula stated in the news release. “We are confident that this opportunity can add significant value for our shareholders.”

In addition, Lucy Scientific Discovery (NASDAQ: LSDI) was featured in a Financial News Media article together with other companies active in the burgeoning global cannabis market, including SNDL Inc. (NASDAQ: SNDL), Canopy Growth Corporation (NASDAQ: CGC) (TSX: WEED), Aurora Cannabis Inc. (NASDAQ: ACB) (TSX: ACB), and Tilray Brands, Inc. (NASDAQ: TLRY) (TSX: TLRY). The piece discusses opportunities in the market driven by increased legalization of cannabis and rising acceptance of its use for medical purposes. Statista projects that revenue in the global cannabis market is projected to reach US$51.27 billion in 2023, at an annual growth rate (“CAGR” 2023-2028) of 14.95%, resulting in a market volume of US$102.90 billion by 2028.

To view the full press release/article, visit https://cnw.fm/IdURM and https://cnw.fm/FjOGd

About Lucy Scientific Discovery Inc.

Lucy Scientific Discovery is a Nasdaq-listed company with holdings and operations in a variety of psychotropic businesses. The company holds a Controlled Drugs and Substances Dealer’s License granted by Health Canada’s Office of Controlled Substances. Lucy Scientific Discovery Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiary, LSDI Manufacturing Inc., operate under Part J of the Food and Drug Regulations promulgated under the Food and Drugs Act (Canada). This specialized license authorizes LSDI to develop, sell, deliver, and manufacture pharmaceutical-grade active pharmaceutical ingredients (“APIs”) used in controlled substances and their raw material precursors. With a focus on pioneering innovative therapies for patients in need, Lucy Scientific Discovery Inc. is dedicated to advancing the understanding and applications of psychotropic medicines, improving mental health outcomes, and enhancing well-being for individuals worldwide. For more information, visit the company’s website at www.LucyScientific.com.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to LSDI are available in the company’s newsroom at https://cnw.fm/LSDI

About CannabisNewsWire

CannabisNewsWire (“CNW”) is a specialized communications platform with a focus on cannabis news and the cannabis sector. It is one of 60+ brands within the Dynamic Brand Portfolio @ IBN that delivers: (1) access to a vast network of wire solutions via InvestorWire to efficiently and effectively reach a myriad of target markets, demographics and diverse industries; (2) article and editorial syndication to 5,000+ outlets; (3) enhanced press release enhancement to ensure maximum impact; (4) social media distribution via IBN to millions of social media followers; and (5) a full array of tailored corporate communications solutions. With broad reach and a seasoned team of contributing journalists and writers, CNW is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that want to reach a wide audience of investors, influencers, consumers, journalists and the general public. By cutting through the overload of information in today’s market, CNW brings its clients unparalleled recognition and brand awareness. CNW is where breaking news, insightful content and actionable information converge.

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420 with CNW — Pharmacies in Portugal to Begin Selling Medical Marijuana in April

Medical marijuana in Portugal may soon be accessible through pharmacies from April. The country legalized the use of medical cannabis in 2018 and established a regulated medical marijuana industry.

Portugal had earlier decriminalized the possession and use of illegal drugs such as marijuana in 2001, through Law 30/2000. The purpose of this was to limit drug problems. Costa Rica and Colombia also have similar policies.

The policy has established a certain number of grams that an individual would roughly consume in a period of 10 days. If an individual is caught in possession of an illegal drug whose quantity is more than the decriminalization amount stipulated for the drug, the individual will be brought before the Dissuasion of Drug Addiction panel, where their case will be examined. This will help determine individuals who need treatment.

This does not mean, however, that the distribution, growing and sale of these drugs is legal. These acts are still illegal under the law, with individuals convicted of trafficking facing anywhere from 1 to 12 years in prison, depending on the particulars of their case. Growing cannabis for personal use had been considered for decriminalization earlier in 2001 but had been withdrawn. This is why, even today, growing cannabis for personal use remains illegal in Portugal.

According to the June 2018 law that legalized marijuana medicines, a doctor is allowed to prescribe these medications, provided that all other therapies have either brought about unpleasant reactions or haven’t been successful in achieving the intended outcome.

Maria do Céu Machado, president of the Portuguese Medicines Agency Infarmed, stated that by the end of 2021, the agency would have identified regulations necessary to regulate cannabis medicines, including everything from marijuana cultivation to its distribution. Currently, the body oversees the regulation of drugs in the country.

Machado added that the organization was working to make sure that all the products manufactured in the future would be effective and of high quality. This, she said, would be done by creating laws for regulation and ensuring that finished products were sold in pharmacies.

Infarmed also granted market authorization to Tilray Inc. (NASDAQ: TLRY), which is a licensed global marijuana producer, to sell medical marijuana products in Portugal. This confirms that the company, which is the only company that has been granted authorization, produces medical products that meet the highest international and national standards. Tilray will be using its Portugal production facility to produce marijuana-based products that will be used in Portugal as well as be exported to the EU and other countries across the globe.

Tilray isn’t the only Canada-headquartered firm that has gained recognition in the medical/recreational cannabis space. Pure Extracts Technologies Corp. (CSE: PULL) (OTC: PRXTF) specializes in the plant-extraction space and now has ongoing cannabis extraction contracts with local and international partners.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to Pure Extracts Technologies Corp. (CSE: PULL) (OTC: PRXTF) are available in the company’s newsroom at https://cnw.fm/PULL

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420 with CNW — Medical Marijuana Shares Off to a Great Start on London Stock Exchange

Marijuana shares in the UK have been rising quickly, with investors now looking toward a new investment class in the market: medical marijuana shares.

Last week, MGC Pharma, which is London’s first marijuana stock, debuted on the London Stock Exchange. The firm raised £6.5 million ($9 million) on its premiere, with the stock moving to 4.25p (59 cents) a share from a 1.475p (25 cents) per share opening price. This left the company with a market cap of more than £75 million ($104 million).

In a way, the increase in the London stock mirrored the American market, when investors from Reddit’s r/WallStreetBets forced the price of various marijuana stocks to rise on the back of an Aphria and Tilray merger. The likelihood of President Joe Biden’s administration federally legalizing the marijuana industry has also helped.

Tilray Inc. (NASDAQ: TLRY) rose by 50%, which added more than $2 billion in value to the company’s stock. This upped the company’s yearly gains to more than 670%. Other companies that have recorded significant gains this year are Aurora Cannabis Inc. (NYSE: ACB) (TSX: ACB), which has increased by more than 120% so far; Aphria Inc. (NASDAQ: APHA), which was up by 280%; and Canopy Growth Corp. (TSX: WEED) (NYSE: CGC), which rose by 110%.

So far, London has been slow to launch medical marijuana IPOs. However, following MGC Pharma’s remarkable reception last week after a two-year campaign by Memery Crystal, a London law firm, attitudes may at last be changing.

Up until now, regulators and banks were concerned that marijuana businesses would be seen as almost-criminal enterprises; turns out, this may not be the case. Memery Crystal CEO, Nick Davis, who is also an advocate campaigning for the medicinal use of marijuana, stated that after MGC Pharma’s successful IPO, he received calls from America, Canada and Israel, all from companies that wanted to list in the United Kingdom.

Over in the United States, medical marijuana is legal in 30 states. Projections from Prohibition Partners show that by 2024, the country’s market will be valued at $37.9 billion. The firm also estimates that by 2024, nearly 340,000 patients in the UK will be using marijuana treatments. Additionally, their research states that by 2024, UK’s legal marijuana market will be valued at nearly £2.3 billion.

In the UK, research focused on the medical applications of marijuana is still in the early stages. Many are hopeful, however, that London may soon become the right place for the growing marijuana market to raise funds to finance further medical studies and research. However, advocates are still emphasizing that the whole point of this is not to help individuals get high but to help manage pain and relieve human suffering.

Furthermore, guidelines from the National Institute for Health Care and Excellence asserted that the medication from MGC Pharma was effective, which assisted in moving things along.

Back in the States, Gage Growth Corp. (d.b.a. Gage Cannabis) , which operates within the Michigan marijuana market, has initiated a number of steps intended to grow its brand. For example, the compamy has exclusive brand partnerships with some of the most recognizable brands, such as Cookies, across the country. Such partnerships are likely to see the company grow more rapidly than its competitors.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to Gage Growth Corp. (d.b.a. Gage Cannabis) are available in the company’s newsroom at https://cnw.fm/GAGE

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420 with CNW – Tilray, Inc. (NASDAQ: TLRY) Announces Positive Research Results for Cancer Sufferers

Medical cannabis is probably one of the most controversial topics at the moment. Critics of the medical marijuana movement have claimed that there is hardly any evidence of therapeutic benefit and that the hype has far outpaced the science. On the other hand, cannabis reform activists have argued that due to its diverse medicinal properties, medical cannabis can be a great alternative to pharmaceuticals.

Quite recently, Tilray (NASDAQ: TLRY) announced that Australian researchers have found that medical cannabis has shown promise as a treatment for nausea and vomiting for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy in a clinical trial. The trial’s preliminary findings, which showed a significant improvement in the control of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, were published in the Annals of Oncology. The pilot phase of the study consisted of 81 patients who had experienced nausea and vomiting during chemotherapy and it ran for two and a half years.

A quarter of the participants taking medical cannabis experienced no vomiting or nausea compared to 14 percent of people who took a placebo. “The side-effects associated with chemotherapy are some of the primary causes of treatment discontinuation,” says Philippe Lucas, Vice President of Global Research and Access at Tilray, “so improving the control of nausea and vomiting can not only improve the quality of life of patients, but by allowing those affected by cancer to complete their treatment it can also potentially save lives.”

At the moment, the most prescribed medicine for chemo-induced nausea is the synthetic drug Marinol, owned by biotech company AbbVie. However, plenty of patients have been unable to continue with it due to side effects such as mood changes, confusion, trouble concentrating, dizziness, and anxiety. “Nausea and vomiting are among the most distressing and feared consequences of chemotherapy,” says Peter Grimson, leader of the study, medical oncologist at Chris O’Brien Lifehouse and Associate Professor at the University of Sidney.

Although side effects such as sedation, drowsiness, and dizziness were present in moderate to severe levels in about one-third of the people using medical cannabis, researchers considered them manageable. “These encouraging results indicate medical cannabis can help improve quality of life for chemotherapy patients,” Grimson says.

“The trial will now move to a larger phase to determine with much more certainty how effective medicinal cannabis is and whether it should be considered for use in routine cancer care. The next phase of the trial is ongoing and will recruit an extra 170 people.” Grimson added.

Experts say this research goes a long way towards confirming what pot companies like Pac Roots Cannabis Corp. (CSE: PACR) have always said about the myriad of benefits of marijuana.

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