The Ultimate Guide to CBD And Seniors for Weight Loss

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With each passing birthday, it feels like your jeans are suddenly a bit tighter. No matter what you try to do, it seems impossible to combat age-related weight gain. Whether you are in your 50s or 80s, age-related weight gain can be a major problem. If you start gaining just a pound a year when you are 50 years old, you will end up weighing 30 pounds more by the time you turn 80.

From the ages of 29 to 39, women gain an average of 7 pounds. During the same time period, men gain an average of 15 pounds. Unfortunately, it is harder for people to lose weight in their 30s and 40s. By the time you get to call yourself a senior, you probably have a dozen pounds or more that you want to get rid of.

Part of the problem is because your muscle mass changes. Starting in your 30s, you lose muscle mass with each passing decade. Your muscle mass is then replaced by fat. Even if you work out frequently, you will still deal with this problem. Since muscle burns more calories than fat, this change causes your metabolism to slow down.

Changing hormones also leads to weight gain. Because of estrogen changes, women typically gain about 15 pounds during menopause. Meanwhile, men lose testosterone. This leads to less muscle mass and potential weight gain.

Once you reach retirement age, you finally have time to get in shape and lose weight. Your kids have moved out, so you no longer have so many family responsibilities getting in the way of your health. If you are still struggling to get in shape, CBD for weight loss may be able to help. CBD uses the cannabinoid system to help you treat some of the problems that keep you from having a healthier, thinner body.

How Does CBD Work?

Your body already has a cannabinoid system that uses the chemicals your body naturally produces. CBD and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) both work by using this natural system. In total, there are at least 113 cannabinoids that have been discovered in cannabis. THC is the most famous one because it is the component in cannabis that gets you high. Unlike THC, CBD and other cannabinoids do not have psychoactive properties.

Instead of causing a sense of euphoria, CBD helps with problems like stress, pain and anxiety. Many people take CBD for insomnia, arthritis and similar conditions. CBD targets the CB1 and CB2 receptors in the brain to alleviate different medical problems.

Because of the 2018 Farm Bill, farmers can now grow and sell hemp. Unlike other strains of cannabis, hemp does not contain high levels of THC. This means that CBD can be legally produced and sold under federal laws. Many states also have laws that legalize CBD production. Because of the legality of CBD, many researchers are now looking into the different therapeutic effects of this cannabinoid. Investment and research in this field are only beginning, so there is still a long way to go before researchers discover all of the conditions that CBD can treat and the correct dosages.

At the moment, research trials have found success in using CBD to treat schizophrenia, autism, alcoholism and skin conditions. There are more than 150 trials taking place around the world that are looking into other conditions as well. Right now, the Food and Drug Administration has actually approved a CBD-based drug known as Epidolex to treat a kind of epilepsy. From trials focused on sleep disorders to pain management, scientists have already found that CBD can help with a number of different problems.

How Does CBD Affect Weight Loss?

If you plan on taking CBD for weight gain, you may be on the right track. Like any diet plan, you also need to adopt a healthy lifestyle as well. Other than taking CBD, it is also important to eat a healthy diet and start working out.

Researchers have already found several ways that CBD can support weight loss. In a 2011 study in Neuroscience Letters, researchers found that laboratory rats had a significant drop in body weight after they were given CBD injections for 14 days. During the study, the rats received 2.5 to 5 milligrams of CBD for every kilogram of their body weight. The rats that received 5 milligrams of CBD had the most pronounced weight loss. Because of this study, researchers believe that CBD can alter how the body gains weight.

At the moment, scientists think that CBD supports weight loss because of the way it works in the human body. Your body has had an endocannabinoid system since the moment you were born. This cannabinoid system produces different responses to compounds using two receptors known as the CB1 and CB2 receptors. The CB2 receptors exist throughout your body. Meanwhile, the CB1 receptors are primarily located within your central nervous system and brain.

People who suffer from obesity have a weird distribution of CB receptors. For whatever reason, the CB1 receptors travel to other parts of the body that they are not supposed to be in. They become especially prevalent in fatty tissue. Because of this strange distribution, scientists now believe that there could be a link between obesity and the activation of CB1 receptors.

CBD influences the way your body’s natural cannabinoids work. This can lead to the shutdown or activation of different receptors, which can influence your body’s metabolic system. Because of this, some evidence seems to indicate that using CBD can help you lose weight. It may also help you combat weight gain that stems from metabolic disorders.

The Benefits of Using CBD for Losing Weight

Scientists have discovered that CBD can help a variety of different health problems. Other than alleviating chronic pain, it is useful for treating depression and anxiety. The following benefits help CBD to successfully support a diet and exercise plan for losing weight.

CBD Supports the Browning of Your Fat Cells

In recent years, scientists have discovered that the human body contains white and brown fat. White fat is the main form that exists in the body. It is used to cushion and insulate your organs. White fat is also responsible for storing energy.

Unfortunately, white fat is also linked to a number of chronic illnesses. If you have heart disease or diabetes, you are more likely to have excessive amounts of white fat. This kind of fat is generally considered unhealthy.

Brown fat is the kind of fat your body actually burns for energy. When you are running low on energy, your body turns to brown fat before it uses white fat. People who are at a healthy weight tend to have more brown fat than overweight or obese individuals. To transform white fat into brown fat, you need to make sure to get enough sleep, exercise and expose your body to cold temperatures.

It turns out that using CBD may also help your body turn white fat into brown fat. This browning of fat cells has been shown to happen in laboratories. Scientists used CBD and test tubes to see what would happen to white fat cells. The presence of CBD helped to create the proteins and genes needed for creating brown fat.

CBD Could Help Improve Your Metabolism

While most people associate cannabis with getting the munchies, CBD may actually help you reduce your food intake. Recent research seems to suggest that using CBD can help you lower the amount of food you eat. It can also increase your metabolism. As a result of these two mechanisms, you could enjoy a higher level of weight loss.

In animal studies, CBD affected an animal’s weight by targeted CB1 and CB2 receptors within the brain and lymphoid tissue. Over the course of two weeks, rats were given daily injections of CBD. They received 2.5 to 5 milligrams per kilogram of body weight. The higher dose was connected to more weight loss, but both doses actually led to a reduction in body weight.

CBD Can Reduce Your Body Weight

In population studies, marijuana is actually connected to having a lower body weight. Researchers looked at 50,000 people and surveyed their cannabis use. Among people who used cannabis at least three days a week, there was a 14 to 17 percent incidence of obesity. Meanwhile, people who completely abstain from marijuana use for the last 12 months had a 22 to 25 percent obesity rate.

It should be noted that this study looked at marijuana use and not CBD use. Some researchers have proposed that the different cannabinoids in marijuana have a synergistic effect on appetite and metabolism. Because of this, some people use full-spectrum products so that they get other cannabinoids as well as CBD.

CBD May Alleviate Metabolic Disorders

There is also some research that shows how CBD can affect metabolic disorders. Researchers have found that metabolic disorders like high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and high cholesterol are linked to higher obesity rates. This may be due to having too many CB receptors activated in the body. CBD helps to block the CB1 receptors, which may be why it seems to reduce an individual’s risk of becoming obese.

Previous studies show that CBD can have a remarkable impact on metabolic disorders. In one study, obese rats were given CBD treatments. The treatments led to lower blood sugar levels and better liver health. In addition, these rats had a 25 percent lower rate of high cholesterol than the rats in the control group. While rats are obviously not human beings, studies like this do show promise in using CBD to treat weight gain.

Does THCV Help You Lose Weight?

Other cannabinoids like THCV may be able to help with obesity as well. THCV is a minor cannabinoid that is an antagonist for CB1 and CB2 receptors. This means you can take THCV for weight loss. While THC increases your appetite, THCV lowers your appetite because it is an antagonist.

Basically, THCV is a natural appetite suppressant. It can help to reduce glucose intolerance, which is helpful for people who have type 2 diabetes. THCV can also increase your calorie expenditure, which supports natural weight loss.

How Can You Take CBD?

Since a great deal of CBD research is still ongoing, there is no recommended dosage at the moment. The right dosage can vary based on your personal body chemistry, your health conditions and what you are using CBD for. In general, it is a good idea to start with the lowest dose possible and gradually increase your intake from that point. Many people begin by taking 25 to 30 milligrams of CBD each day. If this dosage does not seem to work, you can try increasing it.

Other than choosing the right amount, you can also select different consumption methods. Many people choose one of the following options for using CBD.

• Edible products.
• Capsules and pills.
• Oils.
• Vaping liquids.
• Topical products.

If you use edibles, it will take your body longer to absorb the CBD. Once the body does absorb the drug, the drug will actually last for longer. Meanwhile, vaping CBD will allow you to enjoy the effects faster. There are risks associated with inhaling CBD, so many people use edibles, capsules or topical products instead.

Any medication you use will always carry a risk of side effects, so keep this in mind before you try any drug. In general, CBD is considered relatively safe when compared to other medications. There is a minor risk of side effects like drowsiness, dizziness, dry mouth and low blood pressure. In very rare cases, there have been signs of liver injury.

CBD can potentially interact with other medications, so it is important to be aware of that before you use CBD. You should always talk to your doctor before starting any diet and exercise plan. In addition to discussing CBD, you can also ask your doctor about different diet and exercise plans that can support your ongoing weight loss.

Cannabis Use by Ancient Israelites Unearthed

Steve Bloom

Frontal view of the shrine at Arad, as rebuilt in the Israel Museum from the original archaeological finds. The inserts show a top-down view of the altars: on the left, the larger altar; on the right, the smaller altar. Note the visible black residue. (Collection of the Israel Antiquities Authority, Photo © The Israel Museum, by Laura Lachman)
Two 2,700-year-old incense alters have been discovered in an archaeological site in Israel's Negev desert. Residue of cannabis and frankincense were found on the limestone alters in ruins at Tel Arad temple and fortress.

"The real shocker," Haaretz writes, "came from the smaller alter, which was 40 centimeters high and was found to be covered in chemicals including tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabinol (CBN) — substances that are found in cannabis."

The cannabis was heated using dung at an approximate temperature of 302°F.

"To induce the high you need the right temperature," says researcher Dvory Namdar. "They clearly knew this well, just as they knew which fuel to use for each substance."

Since cannabis was not grown in the Middle East at the that time, it had to be imported, most likely in the form of hash.

"If they wanted to make the temple, they could've burned some sage," comments Eran Arie, a curator at the Israeli Museum in Jerusalem. "Importing cannabis and frankincense was a big investment that could not be made by some isolated group of nomads. It required backing from a powerful state entity."

The Holy of Holies site at Tel Arad during excavation. The two lying altars are in their original position on the second stair (at the cemter of the photograph) facing north. (The Israel Museum, Jerusalem, S.J. Schweig Collection)

Drilling Down Further

In their report, "Cannabis and Frankincense at the Judahite Shrine of Arad," Namder, Arie and Baruch Rosen write: 

"The Small Altar contained cannabidiol (CBD), Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and its degradation by-product cannabinol (CBN) were detected n the black heap of organic remains accumulated on the upper surface of the small altar. Finding the activated cannabinoids THC and CBD on top of an altar may intimate that cannabis inflorescences were burnt there, conceivably as part of a ritual that took place in the shrine.

"Along with the cannabinoids, mono- and sesqui-terpenes such as borneol, α-farnesene, β-caryophyllene, α-bulnesene, guaiadiene and longipinocarvone complimented this unique find. Most of the given terpenoids identified in the dark heap from the small altar, are known to be produced by cannabis inflorescences, in significant amounts. Moreover, β-Caryophyllene that was detected in the extract of the material found on the small altar, is the most abundant terpene in all cannabis chemovars. Thus, it may be suggested that together with the cannabinoids identified, which are unique to cannabis, at least part of the given terpenes and terpenoids also derive from the cannabis used."

They offer the following history lesson about ancient cannabis discoveries:

"Similar phytocannabinoidic assemblages were detected in two finds from different areas in China. The first is a magnificently well preserved find of ancient seeds and leaves of Cannabis sativa, retrieved from a burial cave in Yanghai tombs located in the Gobi Desert near Turpan, Xinjiang-Uighur Autonomous Region. The find, dating to 700 BP, was botanically, morphologically, chemically and genetically identified as Cannabis sativa L. In the extract of the seeds, obtained in similar extraction and analytical methods to those applied here, assemblages of phytocannabinoids and their degraded by-products were identified. 

A similar assemblage of decarboxylated phytocannabinoids, containing CBD and its degradation by-product CBL, along with CBN, the THC degradation by-product, was recently reported from the Jirzankal Cemetery (ca. 500 BCE) in the eastern Pamirs region. These similar cannabinoid assemblages reinforce the suggestion of cannabis presence on the Arad altars. Both finds show that in adequate conditions cannabinoids can be well preserved over many centuries."

One of 10 ancient Chinese incense burners, known as braziers, found in the 2,500-year-old cemetery with burned cannabis residues high in THC.

China's Cannabis Discoveries

• In 2008, a cache of ancient cannabis was discovered in a grave of a shaman in Xinjiang province in Western China.

• In 2016, 13 well-preserved cannabis plants were found at a 2,500-year-old burial site in Xinjiang, They were used as a burial shroud.

• In 2019, 10 wooden incense burners, known as braziers, dating back to 500 BC, were unearthed in Jirzankal Cemetery in Xinjiang. They contained cannabis residue, like the alters in Israel.

ZIMBABWE GRANTS FULL FARM OWNERSHIP TO CANNABIS INVESTORS

By Ahmed Iyanda

Following the legalization of cannabis in Zimbabwe, the government has granted approval for all local and foreign cannabis investors to fully own farms and licenses. The decision, which comes after a high-level meeting by the cabinet, is meant to improve competitiveness.

In 2018, Zimbabwe approved the production of marijuana for solely medicinal and scientific purposes after plenty of deliberation, thus becoming the second African country to legalize its use after Lesotho.

Last year, the government announced that 37 local and private investors had shown interest in cannabis farming, in addition to more than 150 foreign and local investors who had indicated interest.

“Following Cabinet’s decision and high-level meeting, a policy change enabling investors to hold 100 percent ownership of Medical Cannabis licenses were made in order to improve the competitiveness of the sector both regionally and globally,” Health Minister Obadiah Moyo said.

Part of the agreement at the meeting was that investors had the option to utilize private land for cannabis project. “In other to regularise the policy changes a draft Investment Stabilisation agreement is being reviewed by the Attorney General’s office. The finalization has been delayed somewhat due to the focus in controlling the global COVID-19 pandemic,” the minister said.

An investor for cannabis farming will be issued with a five-year renewal license. According to Moyo, amendment of the license would be required. 

Prior to its legalization, production and possession of the plant were illegal and attracted a sentence of up to 12 years. With the recreational use or possession of the drug still illegal, the new approval calls for a proper and detailed study, experts say.

The need for assessment is not only because of the economic gains available to Zimbabwe, but also major concerns such as moral and religious reasons, drug abuse and trafficking. Mental Health Manager, Eneti Siyame notes that the main challenge in addressing the abuse of drugs in Zimbabwe was due to the easy access to the same drug, especially after rehabilitation.

The country has received criticism alongside several opinions from experts but the government is optimistic. At the planting ceremony, the Minister for Lands, Agriculture, Water, and Rural Resettlement Perrance Shiri said by supporting the planting of cannabis, the government is taking a leaf from progressive economies.

“We have big economies such as China who are the world’s leading producer of the crop. As a progressive nation, we also have taken a deliberate and conscious decision to venture into industrial cannabis production given the benefits that we can derive,” said Minister Shiri.

The African continent appears to be bringing back cannabis, with some countries already taking the bold step in reclaiming a plant that history records as part of their indigenous knowledge. Other countries in this category include the Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, Eswatini, and Uganda.

Former heavyweight champ Lennox Lewis invests in Canadian weed company

Lewis’s role as executive advisor for the company will focus on opportunities in sports recovery.

By Angela Stelmakowich

Lennox Lewis at the "Night of Champions" Gala on May 03, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nev. / Photo: Omar Vega/HUBLOT via Getty Images

Lennox Lewis and Mike Tyson, two former heavyweight champions, could be meeting once again. Instead of the squared circle, however, Lewis will be joining Tyson as an investor in the cannabis industry, which his former rival has embraced with zeal.

Lewis, a three-time heavyweight champion who knocked out Tyson during a title bout in 2002, is investing in Canadian company New Maple Holdings Ltd., which specializes in designing large-scale grow facilities for medical marijuana.

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The company also has two subsidiaries: New Maple Consulting offers technological advice to new cannabis businesses and licensed weed producer Can We Growers.

Lewis will also serve as an executive advisor for the company, focusing in sports recovery.

Recovery benefits are an oft-repeated reason for supporting use of cannabis and cannabis-related medicines among athletes and everyday folks alike. Lewis joins a very long list of athletes from various sports singing weed’s praises, including Rob Gronkowski, Al Harrington, Daniel Carcillo and Riley Cote, Elias Theodorou and Ross Rebagliati.

FILE: NFL Football – Super Bowl LIII – New England Patriots v Los Angeles Rams – Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. – February 3, 2019. New England Patriots’ Rob Gronkowski makes a catch during the fourth quarter. / Photo: REUTERS/Mike Segar REUTERS/Mike Segar

Lewis, who holds dual British and Canadian citizenship, boxed professionally from 1989 to 2004. Among his many achievements, he won a gold medal for Canada at the 1988 Olympics in Seoul and is a Member of the Order of Canada.

“It’s great to be part of a team that will bring a range of medicinal cannabis products to many people worldwide to help with ailments such as concussions, insomnia and old sports injuries to cancer,” said Lewis, whose investment focus since retiring several years ago has been on startups and burgeoning industries, making cannabis a natural fit.

Ross  was involved in the founding of Legacy Brands by Ross Rebagliati. / Photo: NATIONAL POST STAFFRebagliati PHOTO NATIONAL POST STAFF PHOTO

“New Maple and Can We are our babies. At the end of the day, we do it for the people. Whether you’re a patient or a ‘cannacseur’, this plant has so much potential and we want to grow the best cannabis possible so that people can depend on us for consistency, quality, and safety,” adds New Maple’s co-founder Don-Shane Taylor.

SCIENTISTS PINPOINT THE IDEAL LEGAL AGE FOR SMOKING MARIJUANA

There is an age that can beat back the black market, and minimize long-term impacts on the brain.

EMMA BETUEL

In the United States, you have to be 21-years-old before you can buy a cigarette, alcohol, or recreational marijuana. Unlike cigarettes and alcohol, the legal age for marijuana is decided by states and not the federal government. Why states have settled on 21 as the legal age, meanwhile, is a bit nebulous — some lawmakers argue it's to keep weed out of schools, while others say it should be treated similarly to alcohol.

According to a new study, Americans might be a bit overzealous in their restricting when it comes to who can access the drug.

The minimum legal age for smoking weed should be around 19 YEARS OLD, according to a study published Wednesday in the journal BMC Public Health. At that age, negative impacts on long-term health, educational attainment, mental health, and physical health are minimized, the study suggests.

The legal age for marijuana use in Canada, where these researchers are based, varies depending on the province where a person lives.

In most Canadian provinces the legal age for cannabis purchasing is 19 — except Alberta where it is 18. Quebec, however, raised that age to 21 in January 2020. The situation in Quebec is more indicative of the United States cannabis landscape.

This study suggests that it is possible to lower that age, but not by too much explains, explains Hai Nguyen, a health economist at the Memorial University of Newfoundland, to Inverse.

Smoking weed before age 19, he says, is linked to "significantly worse outcomes." But we may not need to wait until age 21 to head mental and physical health consequences off entirely.

Several later life outcomes from starting cannabis use at age 19 are not different than starting at or after age 21," Nguyen explains.

The study suggests that 19 is the ideal age for reducing the black market's power and minimizing marijuana's impact on the brain.Shutterstock/Markik

STRIKING A BALANCE – Setting the age threshold is about striking a careful balance between discouraging black market activities and minimizing health risks.

From the scientific perspective, pushing the age limit back to 21 may help protect the brain. For instance, a 2018 study of 3,826 teens found that when teenagers increased their cannabis use over the course of a year, their working memory skills declined in tandem.

A 2019 study suggests that cannabis upsets the natural thinning of grey matter in the teen brain, which could lead to cognitive issues. The CDC sums it up succinctly, stating that marijuana can have "permanent effects on the developing brain when use begins in adolescence."

Marijuana isn't uniquely damaging to teen brains (alcohol can do a number on them as well). But setting a legal age for marijuana is especially tricky because marijuana has an especially large underground market, says Nguyen.

Take certain THC vape brands like "Dank Vapes," which were directly marketed to teens, and sometimes filled with a thickener called Vitamin E acetate. This is thought to have caused a serious and sometimes deadly lung condition.

Meanwhile, illicit marijuana use in high school seniors has remained steady since 1997, suggesting that teens are using it anyway. A legal age that is too high, pushes teens directly into the black market's hands, the study explains.

In 2019, marijuana remained the most popular drug used by 12th graders. It has remained steady since the late 1990s. National Institute on Drug Abuse

FINDING THE IDEAL AGE – This study suggests that we can use evidence to try to strike a balance between the risk of long term brain issues, and pushing teens towards sketchy purchasing options

Nguyen and his colleagues analyzed survey data from about 20,000 people between ages 21 and 65, taking into certain markers of how their lives turned out in domains like general health, mental health, and educational attainment.

They found that, if you consider each long-term outcome like education or mental health in isolation, you actually get different ideal legal cannabis ages. Respondents reported better health if they started smoking weed after age 18. But they reported better mental health if they started after age 19 — compared to if they started a year earlier.

Finally, people who started smoking after age 21 tended to have more years of education than those who started earlier, a trend the scientists suggest that smoking earlier could be linked to dropout rates (but they can't prove that in this paper).

The scientists settled on 19 because there were no significant differences in health outcomes between those who started smoking marijuana at 19 and those who started at 21. Their educational attainment differences were significant, but when weighed against the rest of the measures, 19 still appeared to be the best compromise.

Importantly, this study can't prove causality, and it doesn't change the fact that marijuana may still have neurobiological effects on the brain of a 19-year-old.

The years between 18 and 21 are still crucial for brain development — the brain doesn't finish developing until about age 25. Because of that, the difference between 19 and 21 may be insignificant when it comes to life outcomes, but it may not be when it comes to cognitive skills. This study was not designed to asses those skills.

That said, the work does provide a framework that scientists can use to asses whether or not a certain minimum legal age is achieving what it is meant to do – reduce risk in the long term.

As long as the legal market is carefully kept regulated, says Nguyen, the Canadian provinces who set the marijuana purchasing age at 19 could be on to something.

Abstract:

Background: Choice of minimum legal age (MLA) for cannabis use is a critical and contentious issue in legalization of non-medical cannabis. In Canada where non-medical cannabis was recently legalized in October 2018, the federal government recommended age 18, the medical community argued for 21 or even 25, while public consultations led most Canadian provinces to adopt age 19. However, no research has compared later life outcomes of first using cannabis at these different ages to assess their merits as MLAs.

Methods: We used doubly robust regression techniques and data from nationally representative Canadian surveys to compare educational attainment, cigarette smoking, self-reported general and mental health associated with different ages of first cannabis use.

Results: We found different MLAs for different outcomes: 21 for educational attainment, 19 for cigarette smoking and mental health and 18 for general health. Assuming equal weight for these individual outcomes, the ‘overall’ MLA for cannabis use was estimated to be 19 years. Our results were robust to various robustness checks.

Conclusion: Our study indicated that there is merit in setting 19 years as MLA for non-medical cannabis.

   

Joe Biden includes marijuana decriminalization in new ‘Plan for Black America’

By Kyle Jaeger

Former Vice President Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, campaigns in Las Vegas in February.ERIN SCHAFF/NYT

Marijuana Moment is a wire service assembled by Tom Angell, a marijuana legalization activist and journalist covering marijuana reform nationwide. The views expressed by Angell or Marijuana Moment are neither endorsed by the Globe nor do they reflect the Globe’s views on any subject area.

Former Vice President Joe Biden released a new plan on racial justice this week, utilizing it to also tout his modest marijuana reform proposals.

The presumptive 2020 Democratic presidential nominee said he would “decriminalize the use of cannabis and automatically expunge all prior cannabis use convictions” as part of a “Plan for Black America” his campaign released Monday. He also talked about changing broader criminal justice policies, including ending the crack-versus-cocaine sentencing disparity, repealing mandatory minimums, abolishing the death penalty, and diverting people with minor drug convictions to treatment instead of prisons.

While advocates generally welcomed the proposals, many argued that they do not go far enough to fully address racial equity. Notably absent from his plan is legalizing marijuana for adult use — something activists say is critical to ensure equity and restorative justice. While advocates generally welcomed the proposals, many argued that they do not go far enough to fully address racial equity. Notably absent from his plan is legalizing marijuana for adult use — something activists say is critical to ensure equity and restorative justice.

“Considering the long violent history of the United States war on communities color, this plan is a half measure at best,” said Jason Ortiz, president of the Minority Cannabis Business Association. “True equity for our communities would include an admission that our federal government committed a massive crime through the war on drugs, and a plan to undue that damage and make our communities whole.”

“True equity must include a release of all cannabis prisoners, massive community investment and a legal cannabis marketplace owned and operated primarily by people of color,” he added. “I’m not convinced Biden is there yet, but we must all continue to push him for the sake our communities.”

While activists generally agree that Biden’s proposal regarding the treatment of substance misuse is viewed as superior to incarceration, many also oppose forcing individuals into treatment as a mandate from drug courts, saying the courts continue to handle a health issue through a criminal justice lens.

Drug policy reform advocates have widely criticized Biden’s record as a senator, condemning his role in authoring and promoting punitive anti-drug laws that contributed to mass incarceration.

“Biden’s plan calls for the decriminalization of cannabis and the end of all incarceration for drug abuse,” Ortiz said. “While that flies in stark contrast to the vice president’s record, it is a promising sign that more modern approaches to criminal justice are being discussed and taken seriously by his campaign.”

“Now it’s up to the movement for cannabis justice to force him to put his proposed policies into action immediately.”

By comparison, US Senator Bernie Sanders, who was also a top contender as a presidential candidate before dropping out and endorsing Biden last month, has been a strong champion of comprehensive reform, pledging to legalize marijuana in all 50 states on his first day in office through executive action.

While Biden has thus far refused to embrace federal legalization, he and Sanders did announce the formation of a joint criminal justice working group comprised of individuals who’ve worked with both of them, and it stands to reason that cannabis policy could be one area of discussion.

That said, asked last month what issues he thinks Biden will come around on that he campaigned on, Sanders declined to include marijuana legalization in that list.

The former vice president’s new racial justice plan doesn’t feature any new drug policy proposals; rather, it highlights previous measures that have particular relevance to minority communities.

“Today, too many people are incarcerated in the United States — and too many of them are African American,” the plan states. “To build safe and healthy communities, we need to rethink who we’re sending to prison, how we treat those in prison, and how we help them get the health care, education, jobs, and housing they need to successfully rejoin society after they serve their time. As President, Biden will strengthen America’s commitment to justice and reform our criminal justice system.”