Experts discuss benefits of pot legalization

By Alex LaCasse

KITTERY, Maine – Professionals who work in the marijuana industry addressed Kittery residents and answered questions during a forum held by the town’s marijuana working group on Thursday night at Traip Academy.

The three panelists provided insight on legalized marijuana and two of whom shared their backgrounds from working in the medicinal cannabis field.

“When the initiative passed we realized that we don’t know enough about marijuana; we don’t know what it means, we don’t know how it works and we don’t know what the impact is,” said Town Manager Kendra Amaral. “So the working group decided, in part of our due-diligence, that we were also going to provide information to the public so that you could understand the same things that we’re trying to understand and you could get the information that we’re trying to gather and we can all be thoughtful on how we all want to move forward.”

One panelist was David Boyer, who is the Maine political director for the Marijuana Policy Project. The group helped advance the direct ballot initiative to legalize recreational marijuana in Maine.

The group works in all 50 states to work to end the prohibition on marijuana. He gave an update where the Maine state legislature was in putting the statewide framework in place to sell adult-use recreational marijuana. He said the earliest retail stores would open at the current pace would be the summer of 2018.

“The (joint select committee on marijuana legalization and implementation) has been meeting two to three times a week for the last four or five months and it’s been kind of slow in my opinion, but there’s definitely a concern of getting this right, which I can appreciate,” said Boyer. “All in and all if the members of the committee are getting an education on marijuana, on balance, that’s a good thing because ignorance creates bad laws.”

The other two panelists, Joseph Lusardi and Anthony Dalessandro, are both medical marijuana providers. Dalessandro is the president and founder of Trillium Botanicals. He has developed sustainable growing practices in his role as a cultivator and he works with patients with a variety of conditions. He said part of his work is to educate patients on alternative ways to ingest cannabis, aside from smoking. He said his specialty was ready dose infusions, where a measured amount of cannabis material is given to a patient for a specific purpose.

“You don’t have to smoke the cannabis for it to be effective, it’s actually a lot better if you don’t smoke it,” said Dalessandro. “Smoking is good because it’s immediate, and you can tell how much you need by using a little bit and waiting 15 minutes. Edibles are sort of controversial; they’re great if they’re labeled well and you can take a little and see how it makes you feel, they’re problematic if they’re really strong and you don’t know it.”

Lusardi is the executive director of Maine Organic Therapy and is a licensed grower and dispenser. He operates a grow facility in Biddeford and a dispensary in Ellsworth, which was the first licensed dispensary in Maine after medicinal marijuana was legalized in 2009. He said his operation donates $1,000 to local charities every month.

Lusardi said he thought the major benefit to Kittery would be a reduction in drug-related crime because residents would have a legal place to purchase marijuana and the town would stand to gain more tax revenue.

“By having a place that is a safe, discreet dispensary for your citizens to go to, I do believe black market crime would move to another town,” said Lusardi. “Currently what’s been talked in the committee is putting a 10 percent tax on top of the 5.5 percent tax that already exists, so it’d be a 15.5 percent with 2.5 (percent) of that going back the communities.”

During the question and answer segment, Amaral said based on feedback the working group received from a poll designed to better clarify what Kittery voters wanted when they voted in favor of marijuana legalization in November that Kittery residents were open to having some kind of legal marijuana infrastructure in town but it would need to be restricted.

There was a degree of skepticism on the part of some residents in attendance as to how recreational marijuana would be rolled out in Kittery, but many were also in favor of the town moving forward to allow a limited number of retail stores once it is legal to do so.

“A majority of people in Kittery voted for legalization,” said resident Wendy Turner. “I’m personally in favor of retail outlets in Kittery because they would grow the tax base and it would regulate access to minors. Kittery would be missing a real opportunity if the town chooses to ban retail.”

Getting Healthy, Not High: Using Cannabis to Fight Cancer

Marijuana is well known as an intoxicant but only now is it vast medical potential coming to light.

Andre Bourque


Speak to the average person about cannabis and they may feel inclined to lower their voice.

Perhaps briefly recall memories of wild nights in their college dorm, or never partook, but had friends who did. Some may have particularly strong views on it, based on general beliefs or personal experience.

Wherever you stand on the plant that’s discredited by many and revered by few, pretty soon you’ll be adjusting your stance. People are no longer using cannabis just to get high at parties or chill out on the beach; they’re using it to get healthy. And with the latest collaboration announced between Israel and the U.S, cannabinoid compounds could soon be fighting cancer.

A turbulent past.

Humans have been aware of the healing properties of cannabis for some eight thousand years. This multipurpose, nigh-miraculous plant was praised by the Chinese, Hindus and even Western society before becoming associated with drug use and the Mexican immigrant population after the revolution of 1910.

Since then, people have had a hard time shift perspective on cannabis to shake off negative connotations of drug abuse and foreign cartels. But in recent years the public has begun to see the medicinal value of marijuana. California’s Proposition 215, put in place in 1996, allowed use of marijuana as a pain killer for both AIDS and cancer, with notable results.

Cannabis is becoming more widely accepted every day, with even pharmaceutical giants waking up to the medical possibilities. And it’s about time. The cannabis sector in the U.S. is estimated to reach over $23 billion by 2020.

Fighting cancer.

Cure Pharmaceuticals, along with its partner, the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, will be researching cannabinoid compounds in the treatment leukemia and prostate cancer. Accumulating evidence suggests that cannabinoids possess certain anti-tumor qualities. Various studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of cannabinoids for regressing different cancer types.

There are also numerous cases of cannabis helping children suffering from rare seizure disorders. The American Academy of Pediatrics has not yet endorsed the use of cannabinoid, due to concerns over brain development.

The National Cancer Institute is also not yet singing the praises of cannabis but it is recognizing that potential benefits exist for people who live with cancer, including pain relief, stimulated appetite and improved sleep. Physicians caring for cancer patients in the United States have begun prescribing cannabis predominantly for symptom management, not as a cancer treatment.

Cannabis and the law.

Medical marijuana is now legal in 29 states, each with varying stipulations about the quantity allowed for possession and the conditions it’s permitted to be prescribed. The number of states reached a tipping point midway through last year, with more and more getting on board.

Cannabis is finding a new markets in interesting places, such as among Florida retirees. Could it be a throwback to the 70s? Or more of a need to ease the aches and pains of stiff joints and the onset of age-related diseases?

It’s still a gray area with a potentially uncertain future, vulnerable to political measures, (both presidents Reagan and Bush were able to set back its advancement by years). Yet the growing body of evidence is finally tipping the scales in favor of medical marijuana.

The global wellness industry.

Greater awareness about the importance of our health and lifestyle has led to a rise in demand for health products, and the global wellness industry is now valued at $3.7 trillion. This covers a wide spectrum of areas, from workplace wellness to supplements, public health, and preventative and personalized medicine. There’s money to be made here for companies that get it right.

A plethora of cannabis related startups have appeared on the scene, offering different products, from body lotions to supplements and CBD oil. Many young companies brave enough to venture into this sector are finding their investment is paying off. Medical marijuana is one of the fastest growing segments of the pharmaceutical industry.

Pursuing FDA testing

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not recognized or approved the marijuana plant as medicine yet. This is because the FDA requires meticulously conducted clinical trials in thousands of humans before they can accurately assess the risks and benefits of a medication. When it comes to medical marijuana, there is not yet enough evidence to receive the FDA seal of approval.

However, various studies on cannabinoids have earned the FDA stamp for medications containing the cannabinoid chemical in a capsule form. The hope and expectation of Cure Pharmaceuticals and the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology is that through their research, more medications will be approved, specifically for treatment of cancer.

Cure Pharmaceuticals is one of the first bold companies to pursue FDA testing of cannabinoids. And it's aiming high -- testing how well certain cannabinoids can kill leukemia and prostate cancer cells.

"This research partnership with Technion, which has one of the leading cannabis laboratories in the world, is a crucial step in our goal," said Cure CEO Rob Davidson.

Cure aims to bring new cannabinoid molecules to the market through the formal FDA approval process. This will allow them to target needs unmet by traditional pharmaceutical companies, and potentially cause some industry disruption. Whatever their research uncovers, medical marijuana can no longer be ignored. The future may hold hope for cancer patients as the industry evolves.

Finally, Something Democrats and Republicans Agree on: Legal Marijuana

By Gabe Fine

Danielle Lirette

Two new studies on marijuana consumption and acceptance show changing landscapes in public support of states' rights and a stark admission on workplace use.

One recent study was commissioned by Marijuana Majority, an organization that works to spotlight marijuana as a growing mainstream issue. The survey questioned 1,500 participants about their ideas on marijuana consumer rights, finding 76 percent of participants across the political spectrum (Democrat, Republican and anything in between) believed the federal government should let states implement their own laws regarding marijuana.

The study then dove into questions regarding consumer rights, showing that more people supported than opposed the use of marijuana by athletes (46 to 38 percent), journalists (50 to 35 percent) and even gun owners (48 to 37 percent).

Earlier this week, California-based medical marijuana delivery company Eaze also released a comprehensive study, covering 10,000 users among growing classes of consumers like women, parents and working professionals. It serves as an interesting complement to the Marijuana Majority's findings.

For instance, in the Marijuana Majority's survey, women consistently supported cannabis use less than men. However, Eaze's study found that 59 percent of the women it surveyed used cannabis daily – and it says that women were one of the fastest-growing user groups surveyed.

Another exciting find in Eaze's study showed women, parents and working professionals who used prescribed opiates reported a 95 percent decrease in use as a direct result of consuming marijuana.

Still, despite those numbers and the support for athletes using cannabis cited by the Marijuana Majority, professional contact sports leagues like the NFL, NHL and UFC continue to suspend their players for marijuana use.

Some of the Eaze study's most surprising findings pertain to the use by working professionals: 58 percent of working professionals reported consuming cannabis daily, and 31 percent actually claimed to use cannabis while on the job. These participants weren't necessarily red-eyed burger flippers, either, as 91 percent of consumers using on the job worked full-time while 49 percent had incomes of $75,000 or more.

Of consumers who use marijuana on the job, food and beverage and technology workers topped the list. Eaze

Tom Angell, founder and chairman of Marijuana Majority, thinks there is still more work to be done.

Although 75 percent of those surveyed in his group's study voiced support for states implementing their own laws, he notes those laws can vary widely from state to state.

"There are so many models of legalization: non-commercial, non-retail, only personal use, etc. We are all inventing legalization as we go," he said in a statement.

Angell believes this finding and the evidence of greater support than opposition for consumer rights shows progress, but he still points to what he calls "consumer discrimination."

"You can still lose your job, public benefits and housing," he said, emphasizing that many states still punish parental rights for marijuana use. That would mean around 2,000 of Eaze's participants would see the custody of their children affected, as one in five of the cannabis consumers surveyed were parents.

 

Here’s How To Apply For A Medical Marijuana Permit

by Shawnya Meyers

ARKANSAS (KFSM) — Anyone interested in using medical marijuana for treatment will first have to follow quite a few steps.

The Arkansas Department of Health begins accepting applications for medical marijuana registry identification cards on Friday (June 30).

However, the department won’t hand out the medical marijuana ID cards until 30 days before medical marijuana is legally for sale in the state. The health department has estimated that medical marijuana dispensaries will not be ready until early in 2018.

Cards will have to be renewed annually.

Medical marijuana can be used to treat the following medical conditions:

• Cancer
• Glaucoma
• Positive status for human immunodeficiency virus/ acquired immune deficiency syndrome
• Hepatitis C
• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
• Tourette’s syndrome
• Crohn’s disease
• Ulcerative colitis
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Severe arthritis
• Fibromyalgia
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Cachexia or wasting syndrome
• Peripheral neuropathy
• Intractable pain, which is pain that has not responded to ordinary medications, treatment or surgical measures for
  more than six (6) months
• Severe nausea
• Seizures, including without limitation those characteristic of epilepsy
• Severe and persistent muscle spasms, including without limitation those characteristic of multiple sclerosis

Here’s what patients or caregivers have to do to be eligible for a medical marijuana ID card:

1. Fill out the Medical Marijuana Physician Written Certification form, found here. You’ll need to talk to your doctor. Only a written certification on the ADH forms can be submitted for consideration.
2. Fill out the application form, which will be available starting Friday. You’ll need a copy of a valid Arkansas driver’s license or other official Arkansas state-issued identification, and there is also a $50 fee. Patients or caregivers must submit the application directly to ADH — do not use a third party.
3. Wait. The cards won’t be issued until 30 days before you can legally purchase medical marijuana in Arkansas (likely early 2018).

What Is Schedule I and Why Is Marijuana on the List, Anyway?

In 1970, the federal government declared marijuana more dangerous than cocaine, meth, oxycodone and fentanyl. It's never changed its mind. 

dispensaries.com


Almost every media report on marijuana legalization at the state level references the fact that cannabis remains listed as a Schedule I illegal drug in the U.S.

In another words, despite 29 states legalizing medical marijuana and eight states legalizing adult-use marijuana, the United States government still considers marijuana an illegal drug with no health benefits and a high potential for abuse.

But what exactly is a Schedule I illegal drug? Who does the scheduling and why? What are some of the other drugs on the list?

The following answer those questions and provides an overview of the five federal government drug schedules -- including the fact that the U.S. ranks marijuana as having a higher potential for abuse than cocaine, Vicodin and methamphetamines.

The who and the why.

The federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) handles enforcement of the drug schedule and oversees any changes. President Richard Nixon established the DEA in July 1973 to consolidate the federal government’s efforts in “a full-scale attack on the problem of drug abuse in America.”

Until then, anti-drug policy was carried out by a number of federal agencies such as the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs and the Bureau of Drug Abuse Control.

Nixon created the new DEA agency by executive order No. 11727, signed July 7, 1973. He had talked about the problem of drug abuse and trafficking since taking office in 1968, including a 1971 “special message” to Congress.

“The problem has assumed the dimensions of a national emergency,” he said in that message.

The agency started with1,470 agents and a budget of less than $75 million. It now has about 5,000 agents and a budget of more than $2 billion.

Controversy

Nixon’s executive order also gave oversight of anti-drug efforts to the attorney general. John Mitchell, who held the position at the time, created a “schedule” of drugs as part of the 1970 Controlled Substance Act. Mitchell, later disgraced during the Watergate scandal, included marijuana on the list of drugs with no medical benefit and a high probability of abuse and addiction.

Congress approved the measure. It’s stayed there ever since.

Interestingly, marijuana had been listed as a legal medicine in the U.S. up until 1942. Even the American Medical Association initially opposed prohibiting its use, according to Scientific American, which also reported that by 1944 the La Guardia Committee report from the New York Academy of Medicine questioned making marijuana illegal.

Officially, the prohibition against marijuana was supposed to be considered after debate on its medicinal possibilities. However, the secret tapes that Nixon made during part of his time in the White House make it clear he strongly opposed marijuana legalization.

Nixon asked for a "strong statement on marijuana” against legalization. He also said, “By God, we are going to hit the marijuana thing, and I want to hit it right square in the puss…I want to hit it, against legalization and all that sort of thing.”

Schedule I

Against that backdrop, the drug schedule was created. Drugs can be rescheduled by petitioning the DEA but the agency has ignored repeated petitions to remove marijuana from Schedule I for decades.
The schedule is divided into five sections. Inclusion in each section depends on the drug’s potential medicinal uses and the potential for dependency and abuse, according to the DEA.

Schedule I drugs have the highest potential for abuse and “the potential to create psychological and/or physical dependence,” according to the DEA. That potential decreases with each subsequent schedule.

Schedule I
Considered drugs with “no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse.” They include marijuana, heroin, LSD, ecstasy, methaqualone and peyote.

Schedule II
These drugs are “also considered dangerous” with a high potential for abuse. They include Vicodin, cocaine, methamphetamine, methadone, oxycodone, fentanyl, Dexedrine, Adderall and Ritalin

Schedule III
The DEA describes these drugs as having a “moderate to low potential for physical or psychological dependence.” They include products with less than 90 mm of codeine, ketamine, anabolic steroids and testosterone.

Schedule IV
These drugs are listed as having a low potential for abuse or dependence. They include Xanax, Soma, Darvon, Valium, Ativan and Ambien.

Schedule V
 Basically, products that contain low levels of narcotics, such as cough syrup.

10 Things to Know About Pot and Your Health

Do marijuana’s benefits outweigh its risks? Here's a look at the pros and cons of the drug. 

By Amanda MacMillan

Photo: Gary Morrison/Getty Images

Earlier this month on The Tonight Show, Miley Cyrus told host Jimmy Fallon that she’d quit using marijuana because she had a dream “that I would die during my monologue on SNL for some reason, just get so stoned that I just died.”

The singer quickly added that she knows people don’t typically die from smoking weed. But she also had realistic concerns about her habit, too: She’d been spending too much time sitting at home eating and playing with her pets, Cyrus joked, “and not enough time actually doing really anything.” And while working on her new album, she wanted to make sure her mind was “super clear.”

Cyrus brings up good points about potential negative side effects of the drug. Yet—as medical and recreational marijuana use are becoming increasingly legal across the United States (and illegal use is on the rise too)—studies have shown pot can have benefits for health and well-being, as well.

So what, exactly, are the pros and cons of pot? Health looked at recent research and spoke with several experts about who might want to try it, who should avoid it, and what any marijuana user should know.

It may help with anxiety and PTSD

The relaxing effects of marijuana are well known, so it’s not surprising that a 2016 paper in the journal Clinical Psychology Review concluded that it may have benefits for people with depression, social anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. A recent study published in Drug and Alcohol Dependence also found that a very low dose of THC, one of the main compounds in marijuana, helped people feel less nervous about a public-speaking task.

But it may not be that simple: That dose was equivalent to only a few puffs on a marijuana cigarette, say the study authors. They also found that slightly higher amounts of TCH—anything that would produce even a mild high—actually made anxiety worse. Other research has also suggested that marijuana may be more harmful than helpful for people with certain mental health conditions, like psychosis or bipolar disorder.

The research “indicates cannabinoids could be helpful for people with anxiety,” lead author Emma Childs, PhD, associate professor of psychiatry at the University of Illinois at Chicago, tells Health. 

But more research is needed, she says, to determine appropriate dosages and delivery methods, and to prevent the opposite effects from happening.

It can relieve chronic pain and nausea

Pain relief is a common use for medical marijuana, and this year the National Academies of Sciences concluded there is indeed good evidence to support this practice. Marijuana products also appear to be effective at calming muscle spasms caused by multiple sclerosis and easing nausea and vomiting due to chemotherapy, the report stated.

The National Academies also determined that there is moderate evidence that cannabis or cannabis-derived products may help people who have trouble sleeping due to sleep apnea, fibromyalgia, or chronic pain.

People with epilepsy may benefit—even kids

In a recent New England Journal of Medicine study, cannabidiol oil—a derivative of marijuana—reduced seizures by 39% in children with Dravet syndrome, a rare form of epilepsy. That was big news for parents who have been using medical marijuana for years, often illegally, to help their kids suffering from this debilitating condition.

The cannabidiol oil used in the study—which will be marketed as Epidiolex if it’s approved by the FDA—won’t make people high, because it doesn’t contain THC. Experts say that results may be riskier and more unpredictable with other marijuana products.

It may be a safer alternative to opioids

Despite Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly’s claim that marijuana is “a potentially dangerous gateway drug,” research suggests that the use of medical marijuana may actually reduce dependence on dangerous prescription painkillers like those fueling the nation’s opioid epidemic.

In a 2016 study in the journal Health Affairs, researchers found that there were 1,826 fewer daily doses of painkillers prescribed per year, on average, in states where medical marijuana was legal compared to states it’s not. And in a review article published this year in Trends in Neuroscience, researchers wrote that cannabinoids may help people recover from opioid addiction. Human trials have been limited because of marijuana’s classification as a Schedule 1 drug—but the authors argue that more studies are urgently needed.

It may have anti-cancer effects, but research is limited

Olivia Newton John uses cannabiodiol oil (along with conventional medicine) to fight her metastatic breast cancer, the actress’s daughter recently revealed. Studies have shown that the oil may inhibit the growth of cancer cells outside of the human body, but there haven’t been any real-life trials to back up these findings.

Last year, Gregory Gerdeman, PhD, assistant professor of biology at Eckerd College, told Time that there have also been anecdotal patient reports and “increasing numbers of legitimate clinical case studies … that all indicate tumor-fighting activities of cannabinoids.” It’s still unknown, however, whether traditional forms of marijuana would be an effective cancer therapy, or what cancer types it might actually work against.

Parents (and expectant parents) should know the risks

As pot use becomes more prevalent, more pregnant women are getting high, according to a 2016 JAMA study—either for recreational use or, sometimes, to treat morning sickness. But evidence suggests that prenatal exposure to marijuana is associated with developmental and health problems in children, including low birth weight, anemia, and impaired impulse control, memory, and attention, the authors wrote. Until more is known for sure, they say women who are pregnant or considering becoming pregnant should be “advised to avoid using marijuana or other cannabinoids.”

Current parents should also use marijuana with caution, University of Washington researchers suggest. Their recent study in Prevention Science found that people tend to cut back on marijuana use once they have kids, but they don’t always quit. That’s concerning, says lead author and research scientist Marina Epstien, PhD, because parental marijuana use is strongly related to children’s use—and children’s use is associated with higher rates of health problems.

“Children watch what their parents do,” Epstein tells Health. “I would encourage parents to be talking to their kids and be clear about expectations for their kids about using or not using marijuana and the amount, especially with their teenagers.”

Heart problems could make it extra risky

In 2014, a study in Forensic Science International documented what German researchers claimed to be the first known deaths directly attributed by intoxication from marijuana. The authors pointed out that, during autopsies, it was discovered that one of the two young men had a serious but undetected heart problem, and that the other had a history of drug and alcohol use.

The researchers concluded that the absolute risk of cannabis-related cardiovascular effects is low, especially for healthy people. But they say that people who are at high risk for heart-related complications should avoid the use of cannabis, since it can have temporary effects on the cardiovascular system.

It’s not safe to use marijuana and drive

A recent study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety found that insurance claim rates for motor vehicle accidents from 2012 to 2016 were about 3% higher in states with legalized marijuana than in states without. But other studies have found no such increase in fatal car crashes in states with legalized marijuana, compared to similar states without.

Experts say it’s possible that driving under the influence of marijuana may increase the risk of minor fender benders—but may also reduce rates of alcohol consumption and therefore help prevent more serious, deadly crashes. The bottom line? Driving while stoned may be less dangerous than driving drunk, but it’s still riskier than driving sober.

Weed smoke is still smoke—and still has health risks

The Canadian Research Initiative in Substance Misuse recently published a set of “lower-risk cannabis use guidelines,” aimed at helping people who use marijuana make responsible decisions about their health. (The drug is currently outlawed in Canada, but the country is moving toward legalization.) Among other advice, the guidelines urge people to “avoid smoking burnt cannabis,” which can harm the lungs and respiratory system—especially when combined with tobacco.

They recommend choosing vaporizers or edibles instead, but caution that these methods also come with some risks. And if you do smoke cannabis, the guidelines say, “avoid ‘deep inhalation’ or ‘breath-holding,’” which increase the amount of toxic materials absorbed by the body.

It’s not just lung-health that frequent weed smokers should worry about, either. A recent study in the Journal of Periodontology found that frequent marijuana users were twice as likely as people who didn’t use frequently to have gum disease, even after controlling for other factors such as cigarette smoke. The research didn’t distinguish between methods of marijuana use, but they do point out that smoking is the most common form of recreational use.

For recreational users, less is safer

Canada’s new low-risk guidelines may sum it up best with this statement: “To avoid all risks, do not use cannabis. If you decide to use, you could experience immediate, as well as long-term risks to your health and well-being.” The guidelines also recommend avoiding marijuana use during adolescence, because the later in life people start using the drug, the less likely they are to experience these problems.

Finally, the guidelines recommend adults choose natural cannabis over dangerous synthetic versions, and limit themselves to “occasional use, such as on weekends or one day a week at most.” As Miley pointed out herself, making marijuana a regular habit has been linked not just to health problems, but to social problems as well.

Proposal for ‘Incremental Legalization’ of Marijuana

By Brooke Constance White 

 

Regulate Rhode Island and a group of lawmakers recently announced a proposal for “incremental legalization” of recreational marijuana, which would allow the possession of small amounts starting next summer, and establish an advisory board to provide recommendations regarding sales and cultivation.

The compromise legislation, introduced by Sen. Joshua Miller (D-Cranston) and Rep. Scott Slater (D-Providence) in partnership with nonprofit Regulate Rhode Island, would legalize possession of one ounce or less for those 21 and older on July 1, 2018, when marijuana retail stores are scheduled to open in Massachusetts. It would also establish a six-person advisory board comprised of two state officials selected by the governor, two state senators, and two state representatives to look at the outcomes of legalization in other states. The group would issue a report by January 1, 2018 with recommendations about how to establish a system for taxing and regulating marijuana in the state.

At the same time, a bill to create a 19-member study commission to conduct a comprehensive review and offer recommendations about marijuana and the effects of its use recently passed the House and Senate. The proposal for a study commission has been a topic of discussion long before the concept of “incremental legalization” was announced.

Some lawmakers but not all are interested in compromising. Newport This Week contacted regional legislators to hear their opinions about the possibility of incremental legalization.

Sen. Lou DiPalma (D-Middletown), who co-sponsored the legislation to create the study commission, doesn’t think marijuana should be legalized at all and is of the opinion that any step towards legalization is wrong. He said he’s supportive of creating a study because it’s critical that they get facts from the most reliable sources such as the National Institutes of Health and the Government Accounting Office.

“I understand and appreciate what they’re looking at, but an incremental step means that they want to incrementally get towards the end game of legalization and I think that’s wrong,” he said. “I look at it from a policy perspective and look at the negative impact on adolescents. If it’s a wrong policy, it’s a wrong policy. That doesn’t change if there’s money involved and it’s good for the economy. I believe the facts and data from the National Institute of Health, Government Accounting Office and others will show that the negative effects of legalizing the recreational use of marijuana far outweigh any positive effects, should any exist.”

As chairman of the House Finance Committee, Rep. Marvin (D-Newport) said he did not feel comfortable commenting on the proposed legislation as the bill will go through his committee and he wants to be as open-minded and fair as possible when reviewing it. He did offer some general comments on the possible legalization of marijuana: “I think all states are working to find a way in which to legalize recreational marijuana without harming kids and adolescents,” he said. “What this group is trying to do is negotiate something that could happen over a period of time as opposed to right now.”

Rep. Lauren Carson (D-Newport) said that although she hadn’t studied the proposal and wasn’t clear on all the details, she’s told her constituents that legalizing recreational marijuana is not a top priority for her.

“There’s a lot of people working on it, and we passed legislation for a commission to study the legalization, so there’s a few things going on right now and I’m kind of waiting for the process to work its way through,” she said. “I’ve told my constituents that I will not cosponsor a bill but that if it comes to the floor, I can safely say that all the details have been working out and I would vote for it.

I do think that having a commission study will bring a wide variety of resources and experts to promote a transparent discussion on the matter.”

Rep. Deborah Ruggiero (D-Jamestown) said she supports the study commission.

“This needs to be looked at as a policy decision and not a revenue decision,” she said.

Getting High the Canadian Way: 10 Tips for Reducing the Harms of Marijuana Use

Public health experts from north of the border don't want you to use pot, but have some suggestions if you insist on it.

By Phillip Smith

As Canada moves forward with marijuana legalization, the Canadian public health establishment is busily attempting to deal with the reality of legal weed in an oh-so-Canadian fashion: pragmatic and practical, but very, very concerned.

Canada is a country that bedecks cigarettes packages with photos of diseased lungs and bilingual warnings of certain doom, and its public health experts are not so keen on pot either. In fact, they'd prefer people didn't use it at all. But they recognize that Canadians like their weed—about 10% of adults and 25% of teenagers report using in the past year—and they accept that legalization looms.

So the Canadian Institute in Substance Abuse has put together Canada's Lower-Risk Cannabis Use Guidelines to "protect public health and public safety" and "reduc[e] cannabis-related harms and problems in the population."

The guidelines aren't exactly party central, but neither are they hysterical. Instead, they represent a cautious, public health approach to marijuana use, concentrating on potential negatives and how to reduce them. As U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions attempt to round up a posse to confront legal marijuana here, the Canadian approach appears downright civilized. But that's the kind of place Canada is; the kind of country that has civilized things, like national health care.

Here's how the Canadian public health experts think people should consume marijuana in order to have the fewest negative consequences.

1. Don't use it at all. "As with any risky behavior, the safest way to reduce risks is to avoid the behavior altogether," the guidelines say. "The same is true for cannabis use." D'oh! Of course, that what public health experts would say.
2. Hold off until you're out of your teens."Early initiation of cannabis use (i.e., most clearly that which begins before age 16) is associated with multiple subsequent adverse health and social effects in young adult life," the guidelines say. "These effects are particularly pronounced in early-onset users who also engage in intensive/frequent use."
3. Watch out for wax and dabs.The guidelines warn away from super-high THC products such as "cannabis extract or concentrate products," advising that higher THC potency is related to "increased acute and long-term problems," but noting that CBD seems to ameliorate some of THC's effects and suggesting that using products with high CBD:THC ratios "typically carry less severe health risks."
4. Don't use synthetic cannabinoids."Recent reviews on synthetic cannabinoids indicate markedly more acute and severe adverse health effects from the use of these products (including instances of death)," the guidelines say. "The use of these products should be avoided." And why bother if you can get the real thing?
5. Don't smoke it.Regularly smoking "cannabis adversely affects respiratory health outcomes," the guidelines warn. Vaping it is better but "not entirely risk-free" and edibles are best because they bypass lung-related risks, although that isn't risk-free either because ingestion delays the onset of psychoactive effects and can lead to higher highs than desired.
6. If you're going to smoke it, don't do that deep hit, holding-your-breath thing.That just increases the amount of toxic materials absorbed by the lungs. Holding the smoke doesn’t get you any higher.
7. Limit your use."Frequent or intensive (e.g., daily or near-daily) cannabis use is strongly associated with higher risks of experiencing adverse health and social outcomes related to cannabis use," the guidelines say. "Users should be aware and vigilant to keep their own cannabis use—and that of friends, peers or fellow users—occasional (e.g., use only on one day/week, weekend use only, etc.) at most."
8. Don't drive or operate other machinery while under the influence. Driving or operating machinery under the influence increases your risk of being involved in an accident, the guidelines say. Users are advised to wait at least six hours after using the drug before driving or operating other machinery. And using alcohol and marijuana together before driving "categorically should be avoided."
9. Don't use if you have a family history of psychosis or substance abuse disorder or are pregnant. People with those personal or family histories have "a higher or distinct risk of cannabis-related adverse effects," while pregnant women should abstain "based on precautionary principles" to avoid any possible harms to the fetus or child.
10. Don't combine high-risk behaviors. "Combining any of the higher-risk behaviors described above is likely to further increase and amplify the risks of adverse health outcomes from cannabis use." Especially don't be a pregnant teenage daily dabs-smoker driving to a job as a heavy equipment operator.

UN Drug Office can’t find a single cannabis drug overdose, despite it being most widely-consumed drug

Cannabis is also the world's most widely cultivated drug, the most confiscated and the most likely to land a user in treatment

By Polly Washburn,

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has released its 2017 World Drug Report, covering 2015 statistics from around the world. The report finds that cannabis is the most consumed, most widely cultivated and most confiscated drug the office tracks.

Despite leading in all of these categories, UNODC reported zero fatal marijuana overdoses in 2015, unchanged from 2014.
Here’s a look at some of the intriguing stats in the report:

Use

The report states that cannabis is the planet’s most widely consumed drug, with an estimate of 3.8 percent of the adult population using it in 2015. This translates to an estimated 183 million people (with a lower range on the estimate of 128 million and an upper range of 238 million). Other drugs tracked in decreasing order of use include opioids (upper limit of .88% of population), opiates, cocaine, amphetamines and ecstasy. 39 percent of individuals reported in treatment for “drug disorder” are being treated for cannabis.

Prevalence of use varies by country.
The report dives deep into changing laws in the United States for recreational and medical marijuana. The UNODC report cites data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) for use trends. NSDUH noted an increase of past-month marijuana use for the population age 12 and older, from 6.2 percent in 2002 to 8.3 percent in 2015. According to NSDUH, in 2015 an estimated 22 million Americans age 12 and older used marijuana in the past month. 

The report states that in the European Union, about 6.6 percent of people age 15-64 used cannabis in 2015. On the younger side of the demographic, those age 15-34 use at a higher rate of 13.3 percent. Around 3 million adults (1 percent) in the European Union are estimated to be daily or near-daily cannabis users, 70 percent of whom are between 15 and 34 years old and mostly male. In the countries that allow medical cannabis use, past-month, non-medical use of cannabis increased significantly among the population aged 26 years and older, from 5.8 percent to 7.2 percent over the period 2004-2013. However, among the younger age groups (12-17 years and 18-25 years), changes in the prevalence of non-medical cannabis use were not statistically significant and not considered to be related to the measures that allow the use of cannabis for medical purposes.

Cultivation and seizure

The report also found that cannabis is the most widely “illicitly produced” drug worldwide. From 2010-2015, UNODC tracked reports of cultivation of cannabis by 135 countries. For contrast, 49 countries reported cultivation of opium poppy (the source of heroin) and only eight countries reported coca bush (the source of cocaine).

Cannabis seizures were reported in 164 of 168 countries.

For cannabis, in terms of number of plants grown and “eradicated,” there’s a reason it’s called “weed.” In single years reported ranging from 2011-2015, Paraguay eradicated 12,122,750 plants; Ukraine: 7,550,000; Peru: 6,200,578; Tajikistan: 2,180,121; Costa Rica: 1,727,175; Netherlands: 1,600,000; Brazil: 1,364,316; and Jamaica: 1,053,000.
 

 The United States doesn’t give stats on plant counts but reported that it had eradicated 396,620 indoor sites and 3,904,213 outdoor sites. At a conservative estimate of 10 plants per site, that would be 43,008,330 plants that did not make it to anyone’s pipe bowl.

For opium, the report’s best estimate was 304,800 hectares grown (1,177 square miles) around the world, and for coca, 156,500 hectares (604 square miles), with 97,560 hectares reported eradicated (+45,266 plants in Ecuador).

6,000 tons of cannabis herb and 1,300 tons of cannabis resin were seized annually around the world. More than half of all drug seizures (53 percent) were of cannabis (35 percent flower, 13 percent resin, 3 percent plants, 2 percent other).

Deaths

Globally, UNODC estimates that there were 190,900 drug-related deaths in 2015, (lower limit 115,900 to upper limit 230,100). The report notes that “this is most likely an underestimate.” North America accounts for more than 25 percent of drug-related deaths. 

The report notes:

Mostly driven by opioids, overdose deaths more than tripled in the period 1999-2015 and increased by 11.4 percent in the past year alone, to reach the highest level ever recorded. Of the 52,000 total drug-related deaths reported for the United States, those related to opioids accounted for more than 60 percent. In 2015, the death rate from synthetic opioids, increased by 72 percent compared with the previous year, whereas heroin overdose deaths increased by 23 percent over the same period.

While the UNODC noted that cannabis was involved in 16 percent of drug-related emergency room visits in Europe, the organization had no statistics to report on deaths caused by cannabis. The report did list a statistic for cannabis in “healthy years of life lost,” at the lowest rate among any drugs listed.  

'It is permissible to smoke medical marijuana on Shabbat'

Rabbi of Ichilov Hospital rules that certain situations permit a patient to smoke marijuana on the Sabbath.

 Uzi Baruch
It is permissible to use medical cannabis on Shabbat, according to Rabbi Avraham Reznikov, the Rabbi of the Ichilov Medical Center in Tel Aviv, in an article published by Machon Tzomet.

The cannabis plant, Sativa, from which the cannabis drug is produced, is also known as marijuana and hashish, and Israeli law prohibits its consumption, cultivation, and trade in Israel, despite the fact that it is legal in other countries.

Rabbi Reznikov emphasized that he doesn’t permit the use of drugs without a medical reason, and cited leading halakhic arbitrator Rabbi Moshe Feinstein, who ruled against addiction and dependence, which he said entails a prohibition from the Torah. Similarly, another leading arbitrator, Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Auerbach wrote that taking drugs damages a person’s body - which is a complete prohibition.

Nevertheless, Rabbi Reznikov said that those halakhic decisions referred to the use of drugs for recreational use and are not relevant insofar as medical use is concerned, as in this case the use of the drug subdues the symptoms of the sickness and improves the quality of life of the sick person, and that research has shown that cannabis can be seen as a ”narcotic medicine” rather than a drug.

Medical cannabis on Shabbat is preferable inside of food, without the need for it to be smoked. There is a possibility to include it as an ingredient in cakes or butter and oil, and in these ways it is permissible on Shabbat because it can be considered “food.” In addition, taking pills including active compound THC is permissible on Shabbat. Rabbi Reznikov wrote that it is also permitted to take the material by means of a vaporizer that pumps hot air over the cannabis and that this device can be adjusted during the Sabbath day using a “Shabbat clock.”

However, Rabbi Reznikov also permitted smoking medical cannabis if there is no other option, and relied on the “Beiur Halakha” halakhic work, which states that “Regarding something for which there is fear that its prevention will weaken and cause a burden on the sick person, the Sabbath is desecrated over it...and according to [rabbinic arbitrator] the Meiri...if those actions which desecrate the Sabbath also strengthen the organs of the sick person, they should not be withheld from him, because he is in a dangerous situation.”

Cannabis Legalization is Saving People From Police Searches

By Duke London

A recently published study focused on traffic stops by police in Colorado and Washington found that states experienced a striking decrease in vehicle searches after cannabis legalization.

“After marijuana use was legalized, Colorado and Washington saw dramatic drops in search rates,” according to the study conducted by the Open Policing Project at Stanford University. Researchers believed that because the bulk of searches begin with drug-related suspicion, legalizing marijuana drastically lowered the overall number of searches by taking away the largest proponent of probable cause.

The study excludes searches that take place after an arrest, meaning the data centered on the decision-making of officers in traffic stop situations.


If this trend continues in other states that have legalized cannabis, it will be interesting to see how law enforcement divisions cope with the sudden blow to their search volume. For example, in Massachusetts, the changing legal climate surrounding cannabis is forcing the state to retire an entire generation of K-9 officers that can’t be untrained to detect the scent of marijuana.

For those at home wondering why traffic searches are problematic for individuals who have nothing to hide from law enforcement, be aware that your experience may not be representative of reality for others in this country. Lives are being lost in the United States as the result of police-led vehicle searches gone horribly wrong.

“I thought, I was gonna die,” Officer Jeronimo Yanez told investigators fifteen hours after fatally shooting Philando Castile in his car while Castile’s girlfriend and a small child surrounded him.

“And I thought if he’s, if he has the, the guts and the audacity to smoke marijuana in front of the five-year-old girl and risk her lungs and risk her life by giving her secondhand smoke and the front seat passenger doing the same thing then what, what care does he give about me. And, I let off the rounds and then after the rounds were off, the little girls was screaming.”

While it was the presence of a firearm, albeit legally permitted, that escalated the situation between Officer Yanez and Philando Castile that fateful day, it was the detection of marijuana that drove the desire for a search that would turn up no drugs. In Minnesota, where this tragedy took place, medical marijuana patients can legally possess up to a 30-day supply of medicine. Even in an instance where the smell of cannabis is detected, there should still be a number of other questions asked by a law enforcement officer before triggering a full sweep.

While the total number of vehicle searches fell in Colorado and Washington during the timeframe of the Open Policing Project study, the racial disparity in the search volume stayed relatively consistent throughout. Black and Hispanic drivers are still far more likely to have their vehicle searched by law enforcement than a White motorist, even when the largest catalyst for searches is taken away. That displays a deeply-rooted culture of discrimination and prejudice among the entire judicial system, but money also plays a tremendous role in the problem.

Police departments routinely utilize seized assets to skirt traditional budgetary constraints and pay for new state-of-the-art equipment, overtime hours, and militarized training. A 2014 Washington Post investigation into property seizures by police revealed that United States law enforcement officers seized more than $1 billion in currency and assets from vehicles during stops in the decade between 2002 and 2012. Because the law states that the accused must prove they acquired the money or assets legally to regain ownership, many victims of seizure never see their property returned — even if police never ended up finding the contraband they were hunting for in the first place.

“In tight budget periods, and even in times of budget surpluses, using asset forfeiture dollars to purchase equipment and training to stay current with the ever-changing trends in crime fighting helps serve and protect the citizens,” said Julie Parker, spokeswoman for Prince George’s County Police Department in Maryland.

But Brad Cates, former director of asset forfeiture at the Department of Justice, isn’t buying it. Cates alleges that law enforcement is using property seizures as “a free floating slush fund.”

The Post’s investigation revealed that of over $2.5 billion accounted for in various spending reports by police departments, 81 percent were seized as part of cases for which charges were never filed.

Since September 11, 2001, over 60,000 cash seizures have taken place on American highways without prior search warrants or indictments filed post-search.

Until our nation’s law enforcement can show that they will truly use roadside vehicle searches as a tool for public safety rather than a catalyst for discrimination and revenue generation, we will have to rely on marijuana reform to at least offset the volume of searches that occur.

“All of this is fundamentally at odds with the U.S. Constitution,” explained Cates. “All of this is at odds with the rights that Americans have.” 

Catalonia Spain Legalizes Cannabis Cultivation and Consumption

By Jon Hiltz

The days of Catalonia’s cannabis clubs operating in a legal limbo are coming to an end, and for a good reason.

Today, the Catalonia Parliament in Spain, which operates as its own autonomous government, will be regulating the cultivation, consumption, and transport of adult-use cannabis. This ambitious and bold decision marks the first time in Europe that an adult-use system of this nature is permitted, effectively making cannabis a legal commodity in the region.

Three years in the making, the decision is finally receiving broad party support within the Catalan government.

In 2014, a resolution was passed asking government officials to create a series of regulations for cannabis clubs, but due to a lack of consensus among the working groups, the idea quickly lost momentum. 

Then in 2015, a group known as La Rosa Verda collected more than 56,000 signatures, prompting the creation of a paper in Parliament with contributions from over 30 cannabis experts. These included psychologists, sociologists, pharmacologists, doctors and a host of others.

The results culminated into this historic move, where growing, consuming and transporting cannabis will no longer be scrutinized by authorities.

“We did not want to do something halfway,” said Alba Vergés, Chairwomen of the Health Commission in Parliament. Vergés is referring to the famous “backdoor law” which existed for decades in places like Holland and Amsterdam, where selling marijuana was legal but cultivation was still run by the black market. That is why growing pot is included in this landmark decision by the Catalonians.

The new regulations say that cannabis clubs cannot produce more than 150 kg of dried marijuana per year. Each crop will require a sign-off from an agronomist to determine if the amount grown is in line with the amount consumed for each cannabis club.

When cannabis is being transported, club managers must have documents detailing the association responsible for the crop. As well, the identity of the carrier, the destination of where it’s going, the date, quantity, and type of product must be known; public transport cannot be used for distribution.

Although these new regulations are for the benefit of Catalonians who enjoy cannabis, marijuana tourism is not permitted. Because of this regulation, the new rules will stipulate that anyone who applies to be a member of a cannabis club will need to wait 15 days until they can partake in the club’s marijuana crop.

Anyone over the age of 21 can purchase up to 60 grams per month, and those who are between 18-21 are only permitted 20 grams per month, but the amounts do not apply to those who use marijuana for medical purposes. As well, these new regulations do not allow the consumption of alcohol in the cannabis clubs or marijuana edibles of any kind.

The cannabis clubs of Catalonia welcome this decision and hope that it will end cannabis arrests in the region. “The only thing we ask for is legal security,” said one cannabis club owner who asked not to be identified. “We have been working with one foot in the law for many years and another one out.”

The Catalonian government is aware that this new ruling can be challenged in constitutional court by the federal government in Spain. The Catalonian Parliament has publicly stated that consumption is legally their decision and that Catalonia is within its legal right to allow this legislation.

The significance of Catalonia legalizing adult-use cannabis for its citizens is nothing short of remarkable. It sets a precedent that acknowledges the failed war on drugs while simultaneously paving a better path for cannabis consumers in Spain and potentially other European countries.

But perhaps Alba Vergés said it best. “The law we will approve is very advanced and gives a very clear message. It’s time for a paradigm shift when it comes to legislating drugs.”
 

Smoking Weed Can Help Keep You Thin And Healthy, Research Has Found

by Matthew Kirby

Weed is known for its infamous "munchies," forcing couch-locked stoners down an unstoppable trip into all the best high-sugar snacks and junk food.

But while it may seem like this would wreak havoc on your waistline, new research has found that it could actually help keep you thin and healthy.

According to researchers from Oregan Health and Science University (OHSU), people who smoke cannabis more than five times per month have a lower body mass index (BMI) than those who do not.

BMI is a measure that uses your height and weight to work out if your weight is healthy. For most adults, an ideal BMI is in the 18 kg/m² to 25 kg/m² range, the NHS write.

"Heavy cannabis users were more likely to have a lower BMI," the research concludes, with a mean BMI sitting at 26.7 kg/m² and 28.4 kg/m² in those who never smoke, Salon reports.

The research also claims people who consume marijuana on a regular basis tend to be more physically active than those who use it sporadically or not at all.

As the lead author of an identical study, conducted in 2016 by the University of Miami, Isabelle C. Beulaygue explains: 

"There is a popular belief that people who consume marijuana have the munchies, and so [they] are going to eat a lot and gain weight, and we found that it is not necessarily the case."

And this isn't even the first or second time scientists have reached this conclusion.

In 2012, the British Medical Journal published a report outlining how "marijuana use was associated with a decreased prevalence of diabetes."

In 2013, as part of a study into cannabis' impact on insulin levels, American researchers found "significant associations between marijuana use and smaller waist circumferences."

Researchers haven't been able to establish the reason behind this, however, but some claim those who consume cannabis may be better at breaking down blood sugar, which helps prevent weight gain.

Mexico Joins Canada In Making Cannabis Legal, Leaving the US Far Behind in Marijuana Policy.

Our neighbors to the north and south see the war on drugs as a failure and legal cannabis as an opportunity.

By dispensaries.com


Just like that, Mexico joined Canada this month in making medical marijuana legal nationwide. And the Canadian Parliament is considering making adult-use marijuana legal across the nation by mid-2018.

All of this could potentially put legal marijuana businesses in the United States far behind their neighbors to the north and south.

Marijuana remains an illegal drug at the federal level in the United States, although 29 states and the District of Columbia have made medical marijuana legal. Another eight states, as well as the district, have made adult-use marijuana legal.

The Trump Administration shows no signs of changing the federal law anytime soon. If anything, it's just the opposite. Members of the administration have been so vocally antagonistic to legalized marijuana that a bi-partisan group of senators have submitted a bill protecting state medical marijuana laws from federal interference.

What's this mean for marijuana entrepreneurs in the U.S.? Potentially some very stiff competition, according to former Mexico President Vincente Fox.

Exporting marijuana.

Both Canada and Mexico will take the lead in producing medical marijuana for use in the U.S., Fox told those gathered at this month's National Cannabis Industry Association convention in Oakland, Calif.

Both Canada and Mexico intend to export medical marijuana to the U.S., a legal practice under international law.

Fox said he eventually expects Mexico to produce and export as much as 60 percent of the marijuana used by those in the U.S. Fox said cannabis "has to be integrated into NAFTA," allowing it to be traded across the border "without barrier, without taxes and limits, only complying with the law."

Change of heart.

Current Mexican President Enrique Pena Nietro had opposed legalizing medical marijuana nationwide as little as a year ago, but began to change his mind after a national debate on the issue in 2016.

He has in recent months called for countries around the world to rethink their approach to illegal drugs, treating it more as a public health issue.

The decree issued by Pena Nietro gives the country's Health Secretary 180 days to "harmonize regulations" on medical marijuana, as well as the creation of regulations to govern production, sale and use of medical marijuana.

The decree also calls for research into all the potential health benefits of marijuana, as well as programs that prevent children and adolescents from having access to marijuana and programs for those who develop addictions. The measure passed Mexico's Lower House of Congress by a vote of 371-19, according to the Independent. It had earlier passed the Senate by a vote of 98-7.

Ravaged by drug wars.

Mexican leaders took the action on medical marijuana - and Pena Nietro has taken a new stance on illegal drugs as a whole - as the country faces a continued escalation in the drug wars that have ravaged Mexico for years.

After a downturn in violence in the early years after the turn of the century, deaths related to Mexican drug wars totaled 121,669 between 2006 and 2012, according to a recent report from the Justice in Mexico project at the University of California- San Diego's Department of Politic Science and International Relations.

We need to stop romanticizing alcohol

André Picard

There has been, in recent months, intense attention paid to the devastation wrought by opioids and endless debate about the potential health impacts of legalizing marijuana.

Meanwhile, we continue to be willfully blind to the damage done by a deadly, damaging and commonly used drug: alcohol.

That opioids overdoses caused an estimated 2,000 deaths in Canada last year is front-page news, and rightfully so. The spike in mortality is troubling.

But alcohol kills more than 5,000 people annually, year in and year out. (And, of course, there’s tobacco, which kills 37,000 Canadians a year, but at least we discuss and act upon the health impacts of smoking.)

Alcohol is too often portrayed as good, harmless fun.

Yet a new report from the Canadian Institute for Health Information shows that 77,000 hospitalizations in Canada last year were entirely caused by alcohol – more than heart attacks. 

And that doesn’t include people treated in the ER for alcohol-related conditions and then released.

Alcohol kills and maims in a perversely diverse number of ways.

There are the acute problems such as alcohol poisoning (read: overdose), withdrawal and delirium. 

There are the long-term impacts such as cirrhosis of the liver, pancreatitis, an increased risk of developing several cancers and damage to the fetus such as fetal alcohol spectrum disorder and exacerbation of mental illness. All told, alcohol negatively affects more than 200 health conditions.

Alcohol misuse fuels violence, sexual assault, suicide and traumatic injuries, and does immeasurable damage to families and relationships.

Impaired driving not only kills – 1,497 deaths last year, including 883 involving alcohol, according to MADD Canada – but it is the single most common criminal offence in Canada; 30 per cent of all criminal charges are related to alcohol abuse or misuse.

Needless to say, all this is costly.

Alcohol misuse cost the economy $14.6-billion – in lost productivity, direct health costs and enforcement. But note that this number is from 2002, the most recent year for which data is available; why we don’t routinely measure the health and economic impact of a drug used by 80 per cent of adults beggars belief.

Now, at this point in the litany of alcohol’s sins, the pot people will be chomping at the bit, claiming “cannabis never killed anyone.” Some even suggest that we would be better off if there were fewer drinkers and more tokers.

Perhaps.

There are a number of lessons, good and bad, that can be taken from our experience with alcohol that can inform the legalization of marijuana and, to a lesser extent, the opioid-overdose crisis.

First of all, drugs – all drugs – can be used responsibly, or irresponsibly.

Prohibition doesn’t work. We should legalize (and regulate) all drugs.

When you legalize drugs selectively – such as alcohol and now cannabis – you send an implicit message that they are safer and better.

Legalization doesn’t magically make a drug safer. The dose makes the poison.

The biggest problem with alcohol is that it’s overused. Drinking has become the norm in virtually all social settings, rather than an occasional pleasure.

If you want responsible, healthy drug use, smart regulation and good education are essential.

With alcohol, we’ve done a middling job on both counts, and we shouldn’t repeat those mistakes with marijuana.

For the longest time, driving was seen as okay if you only had “a few.” That culture hasn’t changed entirely.

The rules should be clear: Don’t drive if you drink; don’t drive if you smoke or otherwise consume marijuana. (There are already fatalities involving cannabis-impaired drivers; we don’t need more.)

We need to do away with pointless criminalization of drug possession but, at the same time, we have to be unflinching in imposing penalties if misuse harms others.

With alcohol, we’ve learned that how a drug is labelled, where it is sold and how much it costs impacts consumption.

We know, too, that drugs can have a deleterious effect on the developing brain, so we have to pay particular attention to young people. That doesn’t mean trying to scare them with Reefer Madness-type warnings. Currently, the guidelines for alcohol use are far more lax than for cannabis and that doesn’t make sense.

We need to talk frankly about the risks and benefits of drugs and encourage responsible use of alcohol, cannabis or whatever other drug people, young and old, choose to dabble in.

We also need to update our culture norms, beginning with abandoning our hypocritical romanticizing and normalization of alcohol.

Los Angeles releases proposed commercial cannabis regulations

by:Thompson Coburn LLP

In one of the most significant milestones in the history of marijuana legislation, Los Angeles’ City Council recently released its proposed regulations governing commercial cannabis activity in the city. Simultaneously, the Department of City Planning released a draft ordinance proposing land use and sensitive use requirements for commercial cannabis activity in Los Angeles.

The releases mark the next step in the city’s effort to create a comprehensive framework for licensing and regulating cannabis businesses in the wake of recent voter-passed marijuana measures.

Most notably, Proposition 64, known as the Adult Use of Marijuana Act (previously summarized in this Tracking Cannabis post), was passed by California voters in November 2016, legalizing recreational marijuana. The finalized requirements are expected to have a significant impact on local marijuana regulation throughout the state and across the country as lawmakers turn to Los Angles for guidance in establishing their own regulations.

L.A. City Council: ‘We need your help’

The release commenced a 60-day public comment period (ending on Aug. 8, 2017) during which time the City Council will refrain from taking any further action. City councilmembers urged residents, civic organizations and business groups to provide public comments and recommendations to the council.

“We need your help in coming up with a final version of these requirements and draft ordinance(s),” wrote City Council president Herb J. Wesson, Jr. and three other councilmembers in a letter attached to the proposed regulations, “and we are eager to receive your suggestions.”

The public comment period is mandated by Proposition M, which was passed by Los Angeles residents in March 2017 with more than 80 percent voter approval. The measure required City Council to convene public hearings and engage in a robust deliberative process prior to enacting marijuana regulations.

How we got here

In 2013, Los Angeles voters passed Proposition D (also known as the Medical Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Ordinance) which prohibited marijuana businesses in the city but granted to certain qualifying businesses a “limited immunity” from the enforcement of the prohibition. An estimated 135 medical dispensaries qualified for the limited immunity, while hundreds of other businesses opened and operated illegally.

Proposition M repealed Proposition D and authorized the City Council to create a new cannabis regulatory framework. The measure called for the adoption of a “comprehensive regulatory process and structure for all cannabis related activity by Sept. 30, 2017.” The proposed rules, released on June 8, 2017, are the most significant step in creating this framework and replacing the much maligned Proposition D. The release was praised by many advocates in the cannabis industry, including Virgil Grant, president and co-founder of the Southern California Coalition, who called it “a positive step towards fully licensing and regulating the cannabis industry in Los Angeles.”

Obtaining a certificate of compliance

Under the proposed framework, to legally conduct and engage in commercial cannabis activity, a business must first apply for and obtain a Certificate of Compliance from the city’s Cannabis Commission. Dispensaries operating legally under Proposition D and certain non-retail cannabis businesses are eligible to obtain a provisional certificate to continue operations while applications are being processed and reviewed.

Application requirements include:

• Disclosing detailed financial information about the applicant business and its owners.
• Providing a detailed plan for hiring local residents and transitional workers.
  Entering into a labor peace agreement with employees (not required for businesses with fewer than 10 employees).
• Obtaining a valid state license for Commercial Cannabis Activity.
• Describing how the business will meet track-and-trace, inventory, and other operational requirements.
• Providing a proposed community benefits agreement.
• Submitting to a pre-inspection of the premises, which may include inspection by agents of the Cannabis Department, Department of Building and Safety, Department of City Planning, Police Department, and Fire Department.

Application processing phases

The proposed regulations call for applications to be processed in four phases. Priority is awarded to existing medical marijuana dispensaries that have operated in compliance with Proposition D and to non-retail applicants, such as indoor cultivation businesses and manufacturing businesses that opened prior to Jan. 1, 2016.

Once these applicants are processed, the city will begin to issue Certificates of Compliance to the general public and to applicants under a Social Equity Program. Until the Social Equity Program is fully funded and implemented, as determined by the City Council, the number of certificates issued to the general public cannot exceed the number issued under the Social Equity Program.

The draft regulations provide little guidance on how Social Equity Program eligibility will be determined, other than describing the program’s mission and objective:

“[The Social Equity Program will] be based on a social equity analysis aimed at promoting equitable ownership and employment opportunities in the cannabis industry in order to decrease disparities in life outcomes for marginalized communities and to address the disproportionate impacts of the war on drugs in those communities.”

Automatic rejection

The draft regulations propose automatically rejecting certain applications, including those submitted by a foreign corporation or by a person employed by an agency that enforces and regulates cannabis. Additionally, individuals convicted for violating any wages or labor laws within the past five years will be automatically rejected.

Restrictions on retail cannabis businesses

Under the proposed regulations, retail cannabis businesses cannot:

• Sell alcohol or allow alcohol or marijuana consumption on the premises.
• Hold special events or parties on the premises.
• Provide free samples of cannabis goods.
• Display cannabis goods in a place visible outside the premises.
• Operate between the hours of 9 p.m. and 6 a.m.
• Sell cannabis through exterior openings, such as drive-through or walk-up windows.
• Provide any form of entertainment other than ambient music (the regulations specifically prohibit cannabis businesses from providing disc jockey, karaoke, dancing and adult entertainment).

Retail cannabis businesses will be required to:

• Lock all cannabis goods in a locked safe or vault at all times when the business is not open.
• Limit the amount of goods on display to the average amount of cannabis goods sold by the business during an average one-day period.
• Follow inventory tracking requirements, including the use of electronic track-and-trace systems and point-of-sale terminals.
• Maintain records of all financial transactions for seven years.

Delivery regulations

One of the most significant consequences of the proposed framework is the legalization of marijuana delivery in Los Angeles. Until now, the city has prohibited the delivery of marijuana and City Attorney Mike Feuer aggressively pursued delivery businesses, such as Nestdrop and Speed Weed, shutting down the Los Angeles operations of these companies.

The new regulations legalize cannabis delivery by licensed businesses that comply with delivery regulations, such as:

• Delivery cars must contain a dedicated GPS device (which can’t be a phone or tablet).
• Delivery employees cannot carry more than $3,000 (based on retail price) of cannabis goods at a time.
• Deliveries cannot be made outside of the boundaries of Los Angeles or to recipients on publicly owned land.
• Deliveries cannot be made by unmanned vehicles.

Cultivator and manufacturer regulations

The proposed regulations prohibit any business from engaging in outdoor cultivation or mixed light cultivation. Indoor cultivation businesses must comply with environmental rules and limitations on power use, among other requirements.

Manufacturers are prohibited from infusing marijuana into alcoholic beverages or products containing nicotine or caffeine. Cannabis juice, perishable bakery products, canned products, dairy products, meat products and seafood products are all banned as well. The regulations also prohibit manufacturing cannabis products by applying cannabinoid concentrate or extract to commercially available candy or snack food items.

Under the proposed rules, THC levels in manufactured products cannot exceed 10 mg per serving and 100 mg per package. Manufacturers, like all cannabis businesses, must install air filtration and ventilation systems to neutralize odors so that no odor is present beyond its exterior walls.

Proposed land use ordinance

The Department of City Planning’s proposed Commercial Cannabis Location Restriction Ordinance restricts the location of various types of commercial cannabis activity. The ordinance limits the areas where commercial cannabis activity is allowed and requires separation between cannabis retailers and sensitive sites, such as schools, parks and libraries.

According to the Department, one of the purposes of the ordinance is to reduce the negative impacts and secondary effects associated with commercial cannabis activity in Los Angeles, including “neighborhood disruption and intimidation caused in part by increased transient visitors, exposure of school-age children and other sensitive residents to cannabis, cannabis sales to minors, and violent crimes.”

The draft rules would restrict dispensary and retailer commercial cannabis activity to primarily commercial and manufacturing zones. Cannabis cultivation, manufacturing, testing and distribution activity would be primarily limited to the city’s manufacturing zones. Dispensaries and other retailers cannot, under the proposed ordinance, open within 800 feet of schools, public libraries, parks, drug and alcohol treatment facilities or other cannabis retailers. In connection with the proposed ordinance, the department released maps reflecting the areas in which cannabis retail and manufacturing/cultivation activities will be permitted.

What’s at stake?  

As the largest city in California, where the cannabis industry (according to a recent study by the University of California Agricultural Issue Center at UC Davis) is predicted to become a $5 billion industry, Los Angeles has emerged at the forefront of marijuana policy and legislation.

As municipalities throughout the state prepare to legalize sales of recreational cannabis under Proposition 64, industry experts predict that other cities in California will look to Los Angeles’ regulations as a basis for enacting their own laws.

Hezekiah Allen, president of the California Growers Association, said “robust local policies in Los Angeles are critical to the success of regulated cannabis in the entire state of California.” With Los Angeles’ City Council actively seeking public feedback for its proposed regulations, the ongoing public comment period marks a crucial time for the future of marijuana policy and legislation.

Here’s 3 Things Science Still Can’t Tell Us About Pregnancy

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By Kaitlin Kimont

 

After many years of research, scientists have been able to explain why certain things happen to pregnant women, like why there’s excess hair on your face or chest — that’s from a new batch of hormones taking over your body — and which substances can be dangerous to an unborn baby, such as alcohol and cigarettes. But even in 2017, while scientists are working toward finding every unknown answer, there are still a lot of things science can’t tell us about pregnancy.

Pregnancy is a mystical and beautiful time in a woman’s life. In just nine months, a baby will grow from the size of a watermelon seed to a full 7-pound watermelon. Those are things we know, thanks to developments in the technology and many inquisitive medical minds.

For example, scientists have been able to link alcohol consumption during pregnancy to fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, which can cause both physical and mental birth defects. Doctors can also accurately say that pregnant women can not donate blood and should take extra precaution if they decide to sunbathe, as the sun can increase the body temperatures of both mom and baby and possibly lead to a preterm labor, according to The Guardian.

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While those are just a few examples and serve as proof that science does know a lot about this time in a woman's life, there are still some pregnancy questions that have only scratched the surface — such as these three:

What Are The Exact Risks Linked To Marijuana, & Is Medical Marijuana OK To Use During Pregnancy?

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While doctors have linked marijuana use during pregnancy with an increased risk for pregnancy complications — like low birth weight and premature birth — researchers have mostly studied "the effects of marijuana use during pregnancy on animals," according to Healtlhine. So it's still hard to say what the exact risks would be for an unborn baby.

According to the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, pregnant women should be encouraged to discontinue marijuana use because there is "insufficient data to evaluate the effects" that it has on an infant.

And when it comes to medical marijuana — which 29 states have legalized — the ACOG says there are no standard dosages, formulations, delivery systems regarding use of it during pregnancy.
While the science still isn't all there yet, doctors recommend against using it both recreationally and medically for now.

Can Food Allergies Develop In Utero & Can A Fetus Have An Allergic Reaction?

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Over the years, there have been conflicting recommendations and studies about what exactly cause food allergies in an unborn child. While some research has said that allergies can begin in utero, it's still unclear which factors are the source (is it genetics, the environment, or specific foods?), according to the National Institute of Health.

"While it's clear that a mother's diet influences the health of her unborn child, there's a lack of evidence that eating specific foods can prevent certain illnesses and conditions in her child," according to ABC News.

The science is pretty clear that a certain diet can effect the development of the child growing inside the womb, but when it comes to allergies, there's a lot of grey area.

And since fetuses are still developing an immune system, it's hard to say whether a fetus can have an allergic reaction — and what that would entail — to something its mother has eaten. Essentially, this area of science is still a work in progress.

When Exactly During Pregnancy Does Zika Affect The Fetus?

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While mosquitoes carrying the Zika virus have been linked to devastating birth defects — such as microcephaly and underdeveloped brains — in babies born to women infected during pregnancy, public health officials don't know exactly when it happens.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Zika "can be passed from a woman to her fetus during pregnancy or around the time of birth."

At this time, the CDC doesn't know:

• Whether the timing of a woman's Zika infection or the severity of it affects her pregnancy.
• When Zika is passed from a woman to her fetus, such as if it happens during pregnancy or around the time of birth

Despite these unknowns, researchers say Zika is still dangerous at any stage of pregnancy. While more answers will go a long way in combating this epidemic in the future, anyone who is pregnant or looking to become pregnant should do their best to avoid Zika at all costs.

Science has indeed come a long way in modern history and it's only a matter of time — although it could take years — before these questions are answered, too.