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It’s been 10 years since Colorado launched the first legal recreational marijuana market in the world and became a pioneer in drug reform.
But when it came to the nascent industry, the first sales on Jan. 1, 2014, were more a starting block than a finish line.
In the decade since legalization, Colorado has refined laws, catalyzed new ones and served as a litmus test for the rest of the country as states followed its lead. Today, cannabis is recreationally available for sale in 24 states — where more than half of Americans live.
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The world’s first legal sale of recreational marijuana happened in Denver on Jan. 1, 2014. In fact, it happened twice.
Mason Tvert was managing the onslaught of media that descended on the Mile High City to witness the historic moment, set in motion by the successful legalization campaign he’d led. So many camera crews and reporters showed up that morning that Tvert decided to rotate two groups through the dispensary’s sales floor — with each transaction billed as the first time anyone 21 or older could legally buy weed simply by walking into a store, showing ID and paying for it, no doctor’s note necessary.
Cannabis enthusiasts also flocked to downtown Denver that day. Lines outside the new rec stores stretched down city blocks. Buyers exited with purchases in hand, holding them overhead like victory trophies. Rumors even swirled that some stores had sold out, only adding to the fervor.
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Group working to meet signature goal, get medical marijuana petitions on 2024 ballot
NEBRASKA FOR MEDICAL MARIJUANA WERE OUT GATHERING SIGNATURES. THIS MORNING AS PART OF THE LAST CHANCE TO SIGN IN 2023 EVENT. THANKS FOR JOINING US. I’M SARAH FILI ADVOCATES HOPE TO PUT THE ISSUE IN FRONT OF NEBRASKA VOTERS IN THE 2024 ELECTION, AND AS KETV NEWSWATCH SEVEN’S KYLE LARSON REPORTS, THEY’VE ALREADY COLLECTED NEARLY. 60,000 SIGNATURES. ONE PROTECTS THE PATIENT. THE OTHER PROTECTS THE PROVIDER AND ESTABLISHES A REGULATORY COMMISSION FOR THE CANNABIS. CASS MOLLY SCOTT STANDS BEHIND HER POST SATURDAY MORNING IN HOPES OF FILLING THESE TWO SHEETS OF PAPER WITH SIGNATURES. NEBRASKANS FOR MEDICAL MARIJUANA NEED 87,000 VALID SIGNATURES ON EACH PETITION RIGHT NOW, THEY’RE AT ABOUT 30,000 PER PETITION. IT’S AN ISSUE, SCOTT FEELS STRONGLY ABOUT. PATIENTS THAT NEED CANNABIS FOR SEIZURE DISORDERS OR PAIN. PAIN OR WHATEVER THEIR CONDITION MIGHT BE. THEY DESERVE TO HAVE THE THE RIGHT TO HAVE SAFE, REGULATED, CLEAN CANNABIS. IN A STATEMENT SENT TO KETV NEWSWATCH SEVEN, JOHN KUHN WITH SMART APPROACHES TO MARIJUANA, NEBRASKA SAID, QUOTE, THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS MEDICAL MARIJUANA, ONLY THE SAME HIGH POTENCY DRUG THAT IS ABUSED RECREATIONALLY. IT IS NOT PRESCRIBED BY A PHYSICIAN OR…
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Delaware’s recreational cannabis market is still in its infancy, but one lawmaker wants to make sure those who need weed for medical reasons can get it.
Marijuana has been legal in the First State since April 2023, but Delaware dispensaries still cannot sell to anyone without a medical card.
House Bill 285, sponsored by Rep. Ed Osienski (D-Dist. 24), looks to expand access to those medical cards.
The bill would remove regulations that require people to have a debilitating illness in order to qualify for a registry identification card and would allow out-of-state card holders to use them here.
Still, some believe the federal government should have a say in all this first.
“I think until they change the federal law you are going to have an issue with marijuana no matter what,” Ray Antal shared.
If the bill is signed into law, health-care providers would make the determination of whether a patient has a diagnosed medical condition for which the patient would receive therapeutic or palliative benefit from the use of medical marijuana.
Supporters, like Marcus Hook of Dover, think this would stop people from buying illegally.
“You wouldn’t have the guys on the street corners doing the same thing where the price is almost the same and people could get the real stuff from the dispensary and it would be totally legit,” he said.
Others like…
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Looking at recent cases like that of Sha’Carri Richardson, who was barred from competing in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics over a failed THC test, it’s clear that cannabis use among athletes is still a somewhat taboo topic. Still, looking at the slowly changing regulations in institutions like the NBA and NFL, the sports world is steadily embracing the potential benefits that cannabis has to offer athletes in regard to recovery and chipping away at the penalties for cannabis use of years past.
And it’s evident when we look beyond these large stages that the status quo is beginning to shift. Namely, a new anonymous survey of physicians from the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine (AMSSM) looking to assess opinions on the use of CBD and cannabis found that these doctors generally have favorable attitudes toward the substances, though there are still varying views.
The study, which appears in the journal Translational Sports Medicine, also found that most sports medicine physicians from the survey showed support for legal medical and recreational cannabis use.
The study begins noting the “growing evidence regarding cannabinoid use in sports medicine and performance,” highlighting CBD as a particular point of interest. Authors note that cannabis and cannabinoid use has been studied through other areas of medicine, though data in regard to sports medicine is sparse.
To analyze sports physicians’ views on cannabis, physician members of the AMSSM received a survey via email on two separate occasions, with a total of 333 completed responses.
According to the results, 72% of the respondents supported the 2018 removal of CBD from the World Anti-Doping Agency’s banned substance list, while 66% supported its removal from the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s (NCAA) banned substance list. Fewer, 59%, supported removing cannabis as a whole from the WADA banned substances list, though 81% said that sports physicians should have formal training on cannabis and cannabinoids and an overwhelming 93% majority were interested in continued medical education for cannabinoids.
A majority of respondents also showed support for medical cannabis legalization, 77%, and recreational legalization, 57%.
As many conversations around cannabis use in sports, including those surrounding Richardson back in 2021, revolve around its potential as a performance-enhancing substance, the survey also recorded physicians’ opinions on that topic.
A majority of respondents said that CBD and THC are not performance enhancing (approximately 76% and 66%, respectively). Most physicians also agreed that CBD was not detrimental to athletic performance (approximately 61%), though the opinion shifted when it came to THC, at approximately 37% saying it was not detrimental to athletic performance.
The survey also examined demographic information, finding that women, older doctors and rural respondents were less likely to favor legal adult-use cannabis. Authors note that these factors were also associated with a higher likelihood of disagreeing with the WADA removing cannabis from the prohibited substances list and the NCAA allowing college athletes to use cannabis.
Men and younger physicians were also less likely to identify cannabis as performance enhancing.
The study concludes noting that a number of sports doctors are already recommending CBD and cannabis products, noting that they are often used for chronic musculoskeletal and neuropathic pain. Authors also claimed that this was the first study to reveal that providers are recommending these products for sports-related concussions and performance anxiety.
“This advancing cultural shift motivates ongoing research and education for sports medicine providers to better answer questions posed by athletes about the safety, dosing, and potential effects of CBD and cannabis in sports,” researchers wrote.
When looking at data from the survey showing that more doctors would recommend CBD (40.8%) instead of cannabis (24.8%), authors said that the reasons “are not entirely clear.” Though, “given the overall safety profile of CBD, its lack of ‘intoxicating’ effects, and the general infiltration of CBD into mainstream consumer products, providers may see CBD as a safer option for patients compared to Cannabis and THC-containing products.”
Similarly, authors said that the reason more doctors believe that cannabis is detrimental to performance than CBD is unclear but that these perceptions could influence how sports medicine providers counsel athletes using these products.
“It is important to note that the ergogenic versus ergolytic effects of CBD compared to cannabis are still largely unknown,” the authors said. “Therefore, these perceptual differences can largely, if not exclusively, be attributed to marketing and advertising. In addition, one must recognize the seemingly ubiquitous addition of CBD to countless consumer products, which may also contribute to this evolving distinction.”
Authors also acknowledged the small sample size, accounting for only about 7% of the membership in the AMSSM, and due to the data coming from a single point in time, the study also can’t describe changing opinions.
“Lastly, although the survey was anonymous, this is still considered a fringe topic by many in sports medicine and medicine in general, which may limit the divulgence of actual behaviors and attitudes of respondents,” authors conclude.
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Keegan Williams
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President Joe Biden’s administration will reportedly loosen laws regulating cannabis (marijuana), which some advocates say amounts to only a symbolic gesture that will ultimately change nothing.
The president will reportedly move cannabis from the maximally restrictive Schedule I to the minimally restrictive Schedule III of the Controlled Substance Act (CSA), according to the Guardian.
“That would lessen the tax burden on businesses selling the drug in states where it is legal and potentially change how police agencies view enforcement of marijuana laws,” noted the outlet.
David Culver, senior vice president of public affairs for the U.S. Cannabis Council, a trade group, said that lowering the restriction to Schedule III will be the turnaround that the cannabis industry desperately needs.
“If it’s going to be finalized at schedule III, it’s going to be the moment that the industry can turn the corner and we begin to see the growth in the cannabis space amongst the legal operators that we’ve been waiting on for so long,” said Culver.
Some advocates have said the move amounts to little more than a symbolic gesture that will do little to eliminate the burden that private cannabis sellers and growers experience. For instance, while 38 states have approved cannabis for medical or commercial use, the substance still faces the same restrictions as heroin on the federal level. Despite it being legal in certain states, the industry has had to contend with…
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The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration is warning Georgia not to move forward with its plan to become the first state to allow pharmacies to distribute medical marijuana.
DEA officials told pharmacies that dispensing medical marijuana would violate federal law. The Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission, which oversees the state’s medical marijuana industry, said it cannot override the federal ban despite state law allowing pharmacies to sell the products.
The Georgia Board of Pharmacy began accepting applications in October for pharmacies to dispense marijuana products. Licenses have already been issued to 23 independent pharmacies in the Peach State.
The state wants pharmacists to be allowed to continue providing consultations for medical cannabis products as they do with other medication, The Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission’s executive director Andrew Turnage told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
The DEA said in a memo sent to pharmacies that none of them can lawfully possess, handle or dispense marijuana or related products containing more than 0.3% tetrahydrocannabinol, the psychoactive chemical known as THC that gives people a high.
The DEA memo was published online by the group Smart Approaches to Marijuana, which opposes marijuana legalization.
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It is the most wonderful time of the year, unless you are stuck for what to give as a gift. As marijuana legalization has spread with over 50% of the population having access to legal products, some are considering cannabis treats. It is natural as people can purchase and give weed, it would appear on the gift giving circuit. During the holidays 60.6% of people who purchased alcohol gave as a gift.
RELATED: Science Says Medical Marijuana Improves Quality Of Life
The mainstreaming of marijuana means it is joining in festival occasions. But what to consider before giving marijuana as a gift. You need to know the recipient and make sure they are going to enjoy the present or will it go the land of regifting or, worse, into the trash can.
Know if they indulge in anything. Do they drink, have the indicated they are open or are they already consumers? These are critical as you plan on a purchase. If they drink and have shared they are open, maybe a couple of one time vapes or an edible would be perfect. Just like you wouldn’t give a casual friend Everclear, you wouldn’t want to give a strong joint or flower.
Read the room, especially if there are kids around. If it is an intimate group, it might be better since you can explain and evaluate how the gift goes down. Also, think about how you package it so it doesn’t have any sign or smell of what is in the box/bag/stocking.
RELATED: Yacht Rock Pairs Perfectly With Cocktails
Consider if they have any health issues medical marijuana can help. Inflammation, back pain, trouble sleeping or light anxiety can all be helped the perfect present of an edible, oil, or ointment.
If they are not already consumers or very light consumers, consider gummies. According to BDSA, gummies are the most popular product with almost 50% of people preferring this on-the-go treat. Easy, flavorful and a great entry point, this could be a winner.
At most, make sure you give it in the right spirit to make it a merry season.
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Amy Hansen
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Marijuana use by expecting moms is associated with unhealthy pregnancy outcomes, especially low birth weight babies, a new study finds.
Further, heavier weed use is associated with higher risks for the pregnancy, the researchers added.
“Cannabis use is not safe,” said senior researcher Dr. Robert Silver, a professor of obstetrics and gynecology at University of Utah Health. “It increases the risk of pregnancy complications. If possible, you shouldn’t use cannabis during pregnancy.”
In the past decade, the percentage of Americans using medical marijuana has more than doubled, and state-level recreational legalization has become increasingly common, researchers said in background notes.
Some previous studies have found no association between weed use and pregnancy complications, but those results have been inconclusive because there are “so many differences between baseline characteristics of people who use and don’t use cannabis during pregnancy,” lead researcher Dr. Torri Metz, vice chair of research of obstetrics and gynecology at Utah, said in a university news release.
For example, there are different rates of anxiety and depression between pregnant women who use or don’t use cannabis, and those differences can also impact pregnancy risk, Metz…
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I am driving my 18-year-old son to the cannabis dispensary on a winter night when the streets of Portland, Oregon, are too slippery for him to bike. “Would you ever let me write a story about why you use marijuana?”
I am sure he will say no. He smokes in the backyard, where no one can see, self-conscious about his use. But that evening he says, “Sure.”
“The problem is,” I tell him, “I don’t know how to talk about the marijuana without talking about mental health, and I don’t want you to feel badly.”
He is in a helpful mood for someone who is usually surly by 7 p.m. “What about ‘big feelings’?” he offers.
We didn’t know the phrase “big feelings” on that trip to Mexico, when we first sensed something wasn’t right. It was a language-learning trek, with three children ― 11, 9, and 7 ― in tow. (I don’t know what we were thinking.)
My youngest son had tantrums daily, bolting from us in a crowded mercado or arguing loudly in restaurants. The only food he ate, if he ate, was quesadillas: “solo un poquito de queso” (only a tiny bit of cheese) and “absolutamente nada encima” (absolutely no garnish).
As amused as I was by the authority of his opinions ― and his Spanish fluency, full of colourful inflections and excited gestures, after only a few years in language immersion schooling ― I was certain of one thing: The quesadilla would disappoint.
Unable to get familiar foods, he mostly refused to eat. Every day was a battle with low…
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In this article, we will explore what a cannabis hangovers and how to prevent them. Their potential causes, symptoms, and most importantly, how to prevent and alleviate them. Cannabis has been used for both medicinal and recreational purposes for centuries, and its popularity has grown exponentially in recent years, especially with the legalization of marijuana in various places around the world.
While many users enjoy the relaxing and euphoric effects of cannabis, some may experience what is commonly referred to as a “cannabis hangover.”
A cannabis hangover is a collection of symptoms that some individuals may experience after the acute effects of cannabis consumption have worn off. Unlike the hangovers associated with alcohol, cannabis hangovers are generally milder and vary from person to person. Common symptoms include fatigue, headaches, dry mouth, and a general feeling of grogginess.
Potential Causes of Cannabis Hangovers
While cannabis hangovers are generally mild and short-lived, taking proactive measures can help minimize their occurrence and severity. It’s crucial for individuals to understand their own tolerance, choose strains carefully, and practice moderation to fully enjoy the benefits of cannabis without the unwanted aftereffects. As the research on cannabis continues, a better understanding of individual responses and effective preventive measures may emerge, contributing to a more informed and responsible use of this versatile plant.
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There has been plenty of recent research affirming that medical cannabis is indeed a suitable alternative to opioids, with many users finding they are able to reduce or eliminate opioid use entirely after maintaining a medical cannabis regimen. Now, one study is taking a closer look at the specific holistic effects that both medical cannabis and opioids provide to get more insight on the efficacy of each substance as it pertains to chronic pain management.
The recent study, “The holistic effects of medical cannabis compared to opioids on pain experience in Finnish patients with chronic pain,” was conducted by a team of researchers from Åbo Akademi University, who looked into the effects of medical cannabis and opioids for chronic pain treatment.
Published in the Journal of Cannabis Research, the study aimed to take a closer look at how effective medical cannabis is compared to traditional opioids in treating chronic pain, as cannabis use for symptom management has become increasingly more common in recent years. Results suggested that opioids and cannabis are both “equally efficacious” at mitigating pain intensity in patients with chronic pain, while cannabis offered more “holistic” relief in improving sleep, focus and emotional wellbeing
To investigate the efficacy of both substances, researchers had subjects complete retrospective surveys to measure the positive and negative phenomenological effects of both cannabis and opioids.
The sample included 201 chronic pain patients, with 40 who used medical cannabis and 161 who used opioids to treat pain. Each group had some crossover, with about 45% of medical cannabis patients reporting the use of opioids to treat pain and about 4.3% of opioid users having used medical cannabis.
Participants were asked to evaluate statements detailing positive and negative effects of their medications, with researchers comparing scores from the two groups.
While neither opioids nor medical cannabis are first-line treatments for chronic pain, researchers noted that both are commonly used when other treatments cannot provide sufficient relief. Recreational users of cannabis or opioids or people who used either substance to treat conditions other than chronic pain were also “explicitly asked not to partake in the study.”
The analysis revealed three experience factors: negative side effects, positive holistic effects and positive emotional effects. The medical cannabis group received higher scores than the opioid group in the positive emotional effects and holistic positive effects, with no difference in negative effects.
Ultimately, researchers concluded from the self-ported data that, while both medical cannabis and opioids were “perceived to be equally efficacious in reducing pain intensity,” medical cannabis positively affects broader factors related to pain, like emotion, functionality and an overall sense of wellbeing.
“Both MC and opioids were perceived to reduce pain intensity equally well. The group differences support the hypothesis that the effects of [medical cannabis] on pain are more holistic than those of opioids,” authors state. The study also notes that the strongest difference between the two groups — which were more commonly reported in the medical cannabis group — were deeper relaxation, better sleep, improved mood and the ability to feel pain without reacting to it.
“In sum, the results lend support to the notion that the psychoactive effects of MC are relevant to its therapeutic effect on pain, in line with suggestions in previous literature,” authors said. However, they noted that their use of “psychoactive” isn’t in reference to something producing an altered state of consciousness or distorting perception, but “instead something that holistically alters consciousness to a more positive direction, or towards ‘normality.’”
Researchers also said that there were no indications of medical cannabis distorting cognitive processes. Instead, it was perceived to improve memory, focus and clarity of thought.
“The results of the present study underline that the psychoactive effects of [medical cannabis] can be therapeutically positive and have beneficial effects on mood and functioning,” authors conclude. “However, this conclusion would require more robust testing, ideally in randomized controlled trials.”
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In this article, we will be comparing differences edible vs smoking cannabis. Shedding light on their effects, onset, duration, and overall experience. Cannabis has long been a topic of interest and debate, not only for its potential medicinal properties but also for the diverse ways in which it can be consumed.
Two popular methods of ingestion are through edibles and smoking. Each approach has its own set of advantages and disadvantages, appealing to different preferences and needs.
Smoking Cannabis
Smoking is perhaps the most traditional and well-known method of consuming cannabis. It involves inhaling the smoke produced by burning dried cannabis flowers, typically in the form of a joint, pipe, or bong. The combustion process releases cannabinoids, including THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol), which are then absorbed into the bloodstream through the lungs.
Edible Cannabis
Edibles, on the other hand, involve ingesting cannabis-infused products. These can take various forms, such as brownies, gummies, chocolates, or beverages. The active compounds, including THC and CBD, are metabolized in the liver before entering the bloodstream, providing a different onset and duration of effects compared to smoking.
Smoking Cannabis
Smoking cannabis offers a rapid onset of effects, usually within minutes. This immediate response is due to the quick absorption of cannabinoids into the bloodstream through the lungs. However, the effects tend to peak relatively quickly and may start to diminish within an hour or two.
Edible Cannabis
Edibles, on the other hand, have a delayed onset of effects. It can take anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours before users feel the full impact, as the cannabinoids must first pass through the digestive system and liver. Once the effects set in, they often last longer than those of smoking, sometimes lasting for several hours.
Smoking Cannabis
Dosing when smoking cannabis can be more immediate and controllable. Users can easily regulate their intake by taking smaller or larger puffs, allowing for a more precise control of the desired effects.
Edible Cannabis:
Edibles can pose a challenge in terms of dosing. The potency of the product, combined with individual differences in metabolism, can result in unpredictable effects. It’s crucial for users to start with a low dose and be patient, as the full effects may not be felt immediately.
Smoking Cannabis:
Smoking, in general, poses health risks, and cannabis is no exception. Inhaling combusted plant material releases tar and other potentially harmful substances into the lungs. While cannabis smoke is believed to be less harmful than tobacco smoke, long-term smoking can still have adverse respiratory effects.
Edible Cannabis:
Edibles, from a respiratory standpoint, are a healthier option. However, the high concentrations of THC in some edibles can lead to overconsumption, resulting in discomfort, anxiety, or panic attacks. Additionally, the ingestion of edibles may affect individuals differently, and some may experience digestive issues.
In the ongoing discourse about cannabis consumption, the choice between edibles and smoking ultimately boils down to personal preference, desired effects, and health considerations. Smoking provides a quick and controllable experience, while edibles offer a longer-lasting effect but with a delayed onset and less predictable dosing. As the cannabis industry evolves, consumers are presented with an ever-expanding array of options, each catering to different lifestyles and needs. Whether one chooses to inhale the familiar smoke or indulge in the diverse world of cannabis-infused edibles, it’s essential to approach consumption with mindfulness and awareness of individual tolerance and preferences.
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