• Study examines if CBD buffers THC’s effects

    Little evidence shows that CBD can reduce adverse effects of cannabis and THC
    High Times (US)
    Wednesday, November 16, 2022

    girl smoking potA study published in Neuropsychology attempted to determine if CBD reduces the adverse effects of THC, such as paranoia and memory loss, but found little evidence to support this theory. Study participants were observed and both pleasurable effects as well as adverse effects like paranoia and memory recall were recorded. The study, called “Does cannabidiol make cannabis safer? A randomised, double-blind, cross-over trial of cannabis with four different CBD:THC ratios” aimed to determine if increasing the amount of CBD can reduce the “harmful effects” of cannabis—notably from THC. The study also suggests that people who report better effects from CBD:THC products say so because they consume less THC rather than any buffering effects from CBD. (See also: Cannabis not made safer by increasing its CBD content)

  • A tale of marijuana charlatans, corruption, collusion and exploitation

    Some businesses, both large and small – and even regulators – are bending logic to fit their needs, if not greed
    Daily Maverick (South Africa)
    Wednesday, November 16, 2022

    Through manipulating trust and exploiting public ignorance, cannabis charlatans – new and old – are trying to construct corporate empires, some of which appear to be based on corruption, collusion and exploitation. Without transparency, credibility and integrity from the get-go, the equitable growth and sustainability of the South African cannabis community stands to be sacrificed purely for the sake of profit. In 2018 the Constitutional Court ruled that the prohibition of cultivating, possessing and consuming cannabis in private in South Africa was unconstitutional. Since then, much has been happening around cannabis. Unfortunately, the bulk of this action has been based on a misunderstanding of what both the new and developing laws mean, creating a great deal of uncertainty.

  • Why Colombia should fully legalize cocaine

    Both Gustavo Petro and Joe Biden misunderstand how supply and demand work. A more radical approach is needed to reduce drug-related crime
    Foreign Policy (US)
    Tuesday, November 15, 2022

    cocaine seizedColombia’s war on drugs dominated the headlines of U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s October visit to Bogotá. Michael Crowley, a diplomatic correspondent for the New York Times, wrote of policy splits between the Biden administration and Colombia’s new president, Gustavo Petro, regarding their divergent views on the war on drugs. Although they do diverge, both stances on the drug war have more similarities than differences—and they are both wrong, as they are oblivious to the drug trade’s market dynamics. The White House has reinforced the traditional strategy of trying to make the price of cocaine so expensive that U.S. consumers won’t want to buy it. Petro has correctly condemned the drug war for its failures, but his critique has amounted to mere posturing, with no plan to recognize the inescapable facts of market forces.

  • Cannabis authority chair sacked after 10 months

    Mariella Dimech says she disagreed with the 'political strategy' and was fired
    Times of Malta (Malta)
    Friday, November 11, 2022

    Mariella DimechPsychotherapist Mariella Dimech has been sacked from her position as executive chairperson of the new cannabis authority on the responsible use of cannabis. Dimech said she was informed by the Home Affairs ministry that her post was being terminated with immediate effect. "Over the last 10 months, I have worked with no functional office, no staff, no budget and a political strategy and decision strategy I disagreed with," she said. She was appointed earlier this year and her term was meant to last three years. Leonid McKay, the former director of Caritas, is expected to be appointed to head the cannabis authority. Malta legalised the cultivation and possession of cannabis at the end of 2021, becoming the first EU country to do so. (See also: Cannabis authority head removed after 10 months, says she disagreed with political strategy)

  • Weed is now legal in Thailand. How long will the high times last?

    Cannabis shops have multiplied since the drug was decriminalized, with caveats, in June. But some lawmakers are pushing for tighter regulation
    The New York Times (US)
    Thursday, November 10, 2022

    thailand cannabis costumeThailand’s military government is carrying out an experiment: What happens when a country in Asia, a region where drug laws tend to be harsh, essentially legalizes marijuana overnight? In the first few months, lots of people have opened weed dispensaries, and their customers have smoked a lot of weed. Thailand’s marijuana industry has a joyful, freewheeling vibe on a street level. But the high times may not last. Sprawling draft legislation, which is expected to move through Parliament in the coming weeks, will seek to regulate legal gray areas around the cultivation, sale and consumption of the drug. It could become law as early as next year. (See also: MPs slam Bhumjaithai's weed bill)

  • Nearly half of Americans to reside in states where marijuana is legal

    Missouri and Maryland passed legalization referendums on Tuesday, but three other states rejected measures
    Politico (US)
    Wednesday, November 9, 2022

    More than 155 million Americans will now live in states with legal weed. Maryland and Missouri passed legalization referendums on Tuesday, meaning there are now 21 states where anyone at least 21 years old will be able to legally possess marijuana. That marks a seismic shift since Colorado and Washington became the first states to back full legalization at the ballot box a decade ago. “[It’s] just further evidence that cannabis legalization for adult use is mainstream American public policy,” said John Hudak, an expert on cannabis policy at The Brookings Institution. “That shows you how much progress has happened in American public opinion.”

  • No timeframe yet for cannabis associations

    Reforms parliamentary secretary Rebecca Buttigieg says sector is a ‘complex’ one, and ministry is set on doing things ‘properly’
    Malta Today (Malta)
    Tuesday, November 8, 2022

    malta cannabis flagReforms parliamentary secretary Rebecca Buttigieg has refused to give a detailed timeline on when cannabis associations will start operating. “This is a complex sector and I am interested in doing things properly. We will issue our proposals soon,” she said. Last year, Malta became the first country in the EU to officially legalise recreational cannabis use. The law allows possession of up to 7g of cannabis and the growing of four plants at home. It also provides for regulated clubs from where cannabis can be sold to registered members. But despite the legal framework, the cannabis authority is yet to issue licensing for the operation of cannabis authorities, meaning users can either grow their own cannabis, or buy from the black market.

  • Treat Breda as part of Germany so regulated weed can go ahead: mayor

    The planned national experiment in regulated cannabis growing in 10 municipalities has been beset with problems and delays
    Dutch News (Netherlands)
    Monday, November 7, 2022

    Paul DeplaThe mayor of Breda has asked if his region can be treated as a part of Germany, in order to go ahead with a trial of regulated cannabis growing. Speaking at a PCN cannabis association symposium in Eindhoven, Paul Depla said the Netherlands was in danger of losing all enthusiasm for a trial and being overtaken by other parts of Europe. ‘If we just keep talking while the others go ahead, we should just stop the discussion,’ he said. ‘Treat us as German state and let us go ahead with legalisation! ‘We have been talking about regulating cannabis since 2008, in 2017 the government finally made a start, and if we keep up this tempo, by 2028 the rest of Europe will have regulated cannabis and the Netherlands will still be talking about a new law.

  • A decade after legalizing cannabis in Colorado, here's what we've learned

    Legalization increases use, but not necessarily problems
    Medical Xpress (US)
    Monday, November 7, 2022

    colorado 2012 celebrationTen years ago this week, Colorado voters approved Amendment 64, making the state among the first two in the nation (along with Washington) to legalize the use and possession of cannabis, a.k.a. marijuana, for recreational purposes. Today, the once-underground endeavor is a $2 billion per year industry in Colorado, and research on its chemical makeup, health benefits and risks is flourishing at institutions around the country. "Before, research focused almost exclusively on the harms because it was only thought of as an illegal substance," said Angela Bryan, a professor of psychology and neuroscience at CU Boulder whose team studies the health impacts of cannabis. "Now we can focus on the full continuum."

  • Czech Republic on the way to legalizing cannabis

    Prague is now planning full legalization for 2023 and wants to coordinate the step with Berlin
    Deutsche Welle (Germany)
    Wednesday, November 2, 2022

    czech cannabis point prahaTourists in Prague may get the impression that the Czech capital is also the cannabis capital of Europe. From stickers to posters, the iconic leaf of the marijuana plant is all over the place. It adorns the windows and facades of plenty of shops offering everything someone might need to grow the plant. But that first impression is misleading. These products contain at most 1% of the psychoactive substance tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and they won't get you high. The possession of up to 10 grams of marijuana, hashish or hemp oil or the growing of up to five cannabis plants is an offense with a fine of up to €500. Around 20,000 Czechs are fined each year. (See also: Czech Republic plans to legalize cannabis in coordination with Germany)

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