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Author: Frank Schuler

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Australian Researchers Find Lacking Evidence To Support Cannabis ‘Hangover’ Claims

Written by Frank Schuler on . Posted in Science.

When cannabis opponents speak out against cannabis they incorporate a variety of talking points, with some being more ridiculous than others. It seems as if some opponents will do or say just about anything to portray cannabis use in a negative fashion.

One argument that seems to be deployed at an increasing rate is that ‘cannabis causes hangovers.’ In an example of the sad hypocrisy that often accompanies anti-cannabis propaganda, very rarely, if ever, do those same cannabis opponents call for an end to alcohol sales due to hangovers.

Furthermore, while there is ample evidence that alcohol use can result in hangovers, researchers in Australia have found that the same is not true for cannabis, despite what cannabis opponents may claim. Below is more information about it via a news release from NORML:

New South Wales, Australia: The majority of available data fails to support claims that cannabis may potentially impact either cognitive function or subjects’ performance of safety sensitive tasks 24 hours after consumption, according to a review of the scientific literature published in the journal Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research.

A team of Australian researchers reviewed data from 20 studies involving 458 subjects. Selected studies assessed subjects’ performance 12 to 24 hours following THC dosing.

Investigators failed to identify any evidence of so-called THC-specific “next-day effects” in 16 of the 20 studies reviewed.

They concluded: “A small number of lower-quality studies have observed negative (i.e., impairing) ‘next day’ effects of THC on cognitive function and safety-sensitive tasks. However, higher-quality studies, and a large majority of performance tests, have not. Overall, it appears that there is limited scientific evidence to support the assertion that cannabis use impairs ‘next day’ performance.”

Authors further opined that the imposition of workplace drug testing policies that detect the long-term presence of cannabis metabolites and impose sanctions upon those who test positive for them are arguably not justified by the available data.

Full text of the study, “The ‘next day’ effects of cannabis use: A systematic review,” appears in Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research. Additional information is available in NORML’s fact sheet, ‘Marijuana Legalization and Impact on the Workplace.’

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Head Of Frankfurt Drug Department Calls For German Legalization

Written by Frank Schuler on . Posted in Policy.

All eyes remain on Germany where the adult-use legalization effort continues. For those that may not be up to speed, back in October the framework for a long-awaited legalization measure was presented by Germany’s Commissioner on Narcotic Drugs at the Federal Ministry of Health Burkhard Blienert to the nation’s federal cabinet.

Since the formal presentation, Commissioner Blienert has spent time lobbying and educating the European Union in an effort to gain the body’s approval for Germany to proceed with the legalization plan. Blienert previously announced that he will be seeking ‘an expert opinion’ to help with the EU approval push.

In the meantime, the legalization effort is yielding public comments on both sides of the issue, with a notable voice expressing full support for the legalization plan. Artur Schroers, head of the Frankfurt Drug Department, recently participated in a civic interview and made it clear how he feels about the federal legalization plan.

“We would welcome it if cannabis were given to adults for recreational purposes under state-controlled conditions, instead of users obtaining substances on the criminal black market from dealers. Users would be decriminalized, destigmatized and would not have to worry about contamination or the like with state-certified cannabis. A controlled delivery would enable quality control and transparency about the THC content for the first time.” Schroers stated in the interview (translated from German to English).

“The protection of young people and health could also be significantly improved with state awarding agencies or licensed specialist shops. With this in mind, we support plans for the controlled distribution of cannabis and are preparing to that we can professionally meet the expected demand with the associated need for advice and prevention offers for young people. When it finally starts also depends on whether and when the European Commission approves the planned law. Of course, there are voices who want to see a new wave of drugs in cannabis legalization. But if you look at Canada or the USA, you will see that legalization has not increased the number of young people using drugs.” Schroers also stated.

“What always bothers me about the debate is the legal gap in people’s minds when assessing the harmfulness of individual substances, which also applies to the distinction between supposedly hard and soft drugs. Far more people die every year from the consequences of alcohol consumption than from the consequences of many other addictive substances. But in our society it was the case for decades that tobacco and alcohol were seen as stimulants and everything else was “the devil’s stuff”. Whether legal or illegal – the risk assessment should be based less on legal assessments and more on the actual toxicological, social and individual psychosocial risk potential.” Schroers went on to say.

Artur Schroers makes a lot of good points, and given his profession and standing, hopefully lawmakers across Germany and the rest of the EU are listening.

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Cannabis Stigma On Full Display In The Dominican Republic

Written by Frank Schuler on . Posted in Policy.

Cannabis reform is spreading throughout the Western Hemisphere. After all, the Western Hemisphere is home to both Uruguay and Canada, which represent two-thirds of all countries where cannabis is legal nationwide for adult use.

The only other nation that has passed an adult use legalization measure is Malta, and not only does Malta still prohibit sales, it also will have a far more limited legalization model built entirely on non-profit cannabis clubs and home cultivation when legal access does eventually improve.

The Caribbean region has been particularly active in recent years on the cannabis policy reform front, with some exceptions. One major exception is the Dominican Republic, where even medical cannabis is still prohibited.

The Dominican Republic has gone as far as trying to outlaw clothing and music that promotes cannabis, with a new fine being proposed for anyone caught violating the prohibition. Per Dominican Today:

A bill is being debated in the Senate of the Republic that would prohibit all types of music, publication, publicity, propaganda, or programs distributed through traditional media, social networks, or any other means that contain auditory, printed, or audiovisual subliminal stimuli and messages that encourage the consumption and illegal trafficking of drugs and controlled substances. The initiative, spearheaded by Hato Mayor senator Cristóbal Venerado Castillo (PRM), seeks to amend Article 36 of Dominican Republic Law 50-88 on Drugs and Controlled Substances.

Dominican Republic law was previously amended earlier this month to extend ‘the prohibition on inciting the consumption of drugs and controlled substances’ to music, apparel, and ‘other means of dissemination.’ The previous amendment did not include a sanction.

This is obviously blatant reefer madness, and a clear attempt to trample on freedom of expression. Not all songs about cannabis or articles of clothing with cannabis leaves on them are geared towards encouraging consumption, not that it is necessarily wrong even if it is meant to encourage consumption.

However, many songs and articles of clothing and ‘other means of dissemination’ are political in nature, geared towards encouraging people to push for cannabis reform. This new policy is ripe for abuse and selective enforcement.

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Israeli Cannabis Study Finds Improvements In Patients With Treatment-Resistant Fibromyalgia

Written by Frank Schuler on . Posted in Science.

Fibromyalgia is a condition involving widespread musculoskeletal pain. The condition is accompanied by feelings of fatigue, lack of sleep, memory issues, and mood swings. It is estimated that as many as 1 out of every 20 people on earth suffers from fibromyalgia.

Women are much more likely to be diagnosed with fibromyalgia compared to men, with roughly seven times as many women suffering from the condition compared to men. Women between the ages of 20 and 55 are particularly susceptible to being diagnosed with fibromyalgia.

Pharmaceutical prescriptions, including anti-depressants, are common treatments for fibromyalgia, although most if not all of them can yield very undesirable side effects. Fortunately, cannabis provides a safer alternative to many pharmaceutical drugs, and a recent study in Israel found it to be effective. Below is more information about it via a news release from NORML:

Holon, Israel: Cannabis treatment is associated with quality of life improvements in patients with treatment-resistant fibromyalgia (FM), according to the results of a prospective cohort study published in the journal Pain Practice.

Israeli researchers evaluated cannabis’ efficacy in a cohort of 30 patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia. All of the study’s participants had previously failed to respond to conventional pharmaceutical treatments. Investigators assessed patients’ quality of life, general health, and physical health following 30 days of cannabis treatment.

They determined: “Cannabis treatment … showed a marked improvement in general quality-of-life by 1.97 points out of a 5-point score and enhanced general health by 1.83 scores. Cannabis treatment also improved the physical health domain score by 1.5 points. Further examination of the physical health subdomains showed a reduction of 1.67 points in pain and discomfort, pain and fatigue (1.57), and an improvement of 2.13 points in activities of daily living.”

The authors further acknowledged that cannabis use was also associated with improvements in patients’ self-esteem, mood, memory, and concentration.

“This study suggests that cannabis treatment shows short-term improvement in quality of life through its influence on pain, sleep, and physical and psychological domains,” they concluded. “Further studies are still indicated to understand this potential and its long-term beneficial impact.”

Survey data reports that fibromyalgia patients frequently consume cannabis for therapeutic purposes, and several recent observational trials have affirmed its safety and efficacy in this population. A recent review of the relevant literature, published in 2021, concluded, “[T]he use of cannabinoids and cannabis carries limited side effects in the treatment of FM, and they can also improve some common and debilitating symptoms associated with FM, thus making them an adequate potential treatment option, when other treatment lines have been exhausted.”

Full text of the study, “The role of cannabis in treatment-resistant fibromyalgia women,” appears in Pain Practice. Additional information on cannabis and FM is available from NORML.

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Cannabis Benefits Headache Patients According To New Canadian Study

Written by Frank Schuler on . Posted in Science.

Headaches are one of the most common health conditions that people suffer from around the globe, with the severity and frequency of headaches varying from person to person. For some people, headaches are rare and when they do occur they go away fairly quickly after a short amount of time, often without the assistance of medication.

However, for many other sufferers, headaches can be frequent, severe, and over-the-counter medications are not enough to help reduce the pain and suffering. For folks in the latter group, a recent study out of Canada provides some hope, with researchers finding that headache patients frequently report benefits from using cannabis. Below is more information about it via a news release from NORML:

Alberta, Canada: Patients suffering from headache disorders frequently experience relief from the use of cannabis, according to survey data published in the Canadian Journal of Neurology.

Researchers surveyed 200 patients associated with a tertiary headache clinic in Calgary regarding their use of cannabis products. (Cannabis is legal in Canada for both medical and adult use.)

Over one-third of respondents (34 percent) acknowledged currently engaging in the use of cannabis. Of these, 60 percent perceived cannabis to be effective at reducing the severity of their headaches, while 29 percent said it mitigated headache frequency. Subjects most frequently reported consuming liquid cannabis preparations or inhaling cannabis flowers.

“The findings of this survey document patient’s perceived benefit of cannabinoids in the management of headache,” authors reported. “The results of this exploratory survey will aid neurologists and headache specialists in understanding the current trends in use of cannabis products in more severely affected headache patients and inform treatment parameters when designing controlled studies of cannabis in this setting.”

Numerous other surveys similarly report that those suffering from migraines often turn to cannabis for symptomatic relief, and many patients say that it is more effective than prescription medications. A recent literature review of 12 previously published studies involving 1,980 participants concluded that cannabis preparations likely provide for the prophylactic and abortive treatment of migraines.

Full text of the study, “Cannabinoid use in a tertiary headache clinic: A cross-sectional survey,” appears in the Canadian Journal of Neurology. Additional information on cannabis and migraine is available from NORML.

 

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Cannabis Associated With Improved Quality Of Life for Tourette Syndrome Patients

Written by Frank Schuler on . Posted in Science.

It is estimated that roughly 0.5-1% of the world’s population has been diagnosed with some level of Tourette Syndrome, although the actual rate of people suffering from the condition could be greater due to gaps in identification and treatment in some parts of the world.

According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, “Tourette syndrome (TS) is a neurological disorder characterized by sudden, repetitive, rapid, and unwanted movements or vocal sounds called tics.” Currently, there is no cure for the condition.

Various treatments for Tourette Syndrome exist, with common ones being dopamine blockers, Botox injections, ADHD medications, anti-depressants, and anti-seizure medications. Everyone of those treatments can yield possible side effects. Fortunately, a recent study in Israel found that cannabis may help. Below is more information about it via a news release from NORML:

Tel Aviv, Israel: Tourette syndrome (TS) patients’ who consume cannabis products report significant improvements in their quality of life and reduce their intake of prescription medicines, according to data published in the journal Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research.

Israeli researchers assessed patients’ symptoms immediately prior to and following six months of cannabis treatment. Study participants generally inhaled THC-dominant cannabis flowers, though some patients also consumed extract formulations.

Researchers reported, “A statistically significant improvement in quality of life, employment status, and [a] reduction in the number of medications was found, with a statistically significant number of patients reporting improvements in OCD and anxiety symptoms after six months of treatment.” The authors also identified improvements in motor and vocal tic severity, but they acknowledged that these changes were not statistically significant.

Few patients reported experiencing adverse effects from cannabis treatment. Most commonly reported side effects were dry mouth, dizziness, and fatigue.

“Our findings suggest that medical cannabis may be an effective and safe option to improve comorbidities and quality of life in TS patients,” authors concluded. “Medical cannabis effectiveness should be further evaluated in large-scale randomized clinical trials.”

TS patients frequently report gaining symptomatic relief from cannabis, and several human trials have identified positive results in cohorts using either oral THC or inhaled cannabis.

Full text of the study, “Use of medical cannabis in patients with Gilles de la Tourette’s Syndrome in a real-world setting, appears in Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research. Additional information on cannabis and TS is available from NORML.

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Who Is Conducting The Legislative Review Of Canada’s Cannabis Act?

Written by Frank Schuler on . Posted in Policy.

Canada is one of only three countries on earth where cannabis is legal nationwide for adult use. The only other two countries are Uruguay and Malta. Uruguay initially passed its legalization measure back in 2013, making it the first country to ever pass a national adult-use legalization measure. Malta passed its law, which is much more limited compared to its legalization peers, late last year.

Unlike Uruguay and Malta, Canada allows legal sales to people of legal age regardless of their residence status. Uruguay limits legal sales to residents only, and Malta has yet to issue any adult-use license of any kind, and as a result, adult-use sales are still prohibited in Malta.

As part of Canada’s legalization policy, a four year review is being conducted to determine what lessons can be learned from what is often described as ‘the biggest cannabis policy and industry experiment on planet earth.’ Canada’s government recently announced who will be conducting the legislative review. Below is more information about it via a news release from the Government of Canada:

Today, the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Health, and the Honourable Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health, announced the members of the Expert Panel on the legislative review of the Cannabis Act. 

The Panel will provide independent, expert advice to both ministers on progress made towards achieving the Act’s objectives and help identify potential areas for improving the functioning of the legislation.

The ministers have taken a number of factors, such as geography, expertise, and demographic representation, into consideration when making their selection. They have carefully selected individuals who represent Canada’s diversity, and collectively hold significant public sector experience, expertise in public health and justice, and experience engaging with Indigenous communities and organizations.

The Expert Panel, chaired by Morris Rosenberg, will lead a credible and inclusive review with the following members:

  • Dr. Oyedeji Ayonrinde
  • Dr. Patricia J. Conrod
  • Lynda L. Levesque
  • Dr. Peter Selby

The ministers have mandated the Expert Panel to engage with the public, governments, Indigenous peoples, youth, marginalized and racialized communities, cannabis industry representatives, and people who access cannabis for medical purposes, to gather their perspectives on the implementation and administration of the Cannabis Act. The independent Expert Panel is also expected to meet  and consult with experts in relevant fields, including, but not limited to, public health, substance use, criminal justice, law enforcement, Indigenous governance and rights and health care.

To help inform the Panel’s work, Health Canada has extended their online engagement process for Indigenous peoples. First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples are invited to read and provide feedback on the Summary from Engagement with First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples: The Cannabis Act and its Impacts, which is open until January 15, 2023.

Quotes

“The Expert Panel will provide us with an independent, inclusive and evidence-informed review of the Cannabis Act and its economic, social, and environmental impacts, as well as the progress that’s been made displacing the illicit cannabis market. We welcome the Expert Panel members and look forward to reviewing their findings to help address the ongoing and emerging needs of Canadians while protecting their health and safety.”

The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos
Minister of Health

“The Cannabis Act has been instrumental in our efforts to protect youth from accessing cannabis, displacing the illegal market, and providing adult consumers with access to a safe supply of cannabis, but there’s more work to do. We congratulate the new members of the Expert Panel, and look forward to their work assessing our progress in meeting the goals of the Act and guiding our next steps.”

The Honourable Carolyn Bennett
Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health 

“It’s my great pleasure to begin working with the members of the Expert Panel. Each member brings a wealth of experience and knowledge, which will be essential as we conduct a thorough, independent review of the Cannabis Act.”

Morris Rosenberg
Chair of the Expert Panel

Quick facts

  • The Act requires the Minister of Health to conduct a review of the legislation, its administration, and operation three years after coming into force, and for the Minister to table a report on this review in both Houses of Parliament 18 months after the review begins.
  • The legislative review will assess the progress made towards achieving the Act’s objectives, and will evaluate:
    • Impacts on young persons;
    • Progress towards providing adults with access to strictly regulated, lower risk, legal cannabis products;
    • Progress made in deterring criminal activity and displacing the illicit cannabis market;
    • Impacts of legalization and regulation on access to cannabis for medical purposes;
    • Impacts on First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples and communities; and
    • Trends and impact of home cultivation of cannabis for non-medical purposes.
  • The Panel will broaden that focus to include:
    • Economic, social and environmental impacts of the Act;
    • Impacts on racialized communities, and women who might be at greater risk of harm or face greater barriers to participation in the legal industry based on identity or socio-economic factors.
  • Budget 2022 included a commitment that Innovation, Science, and Economic Development Canada (ISED) would establish a cannabis industry engagement mechanism to advance industry-government collaboration.
  • ISED is presently designing a cannabis forum that will foster industry-government dialogue, and provide a means for industry and government to examine issues relevant to the long-term competitiveness and stability of the sector.

Associated links

Contacts

Guillaume Bertrand
Senior Communications Advisor and Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos
Minister of Health
613-957-0200

Maja Staka
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Carolyn Bennett
Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health
343-552-5568

Media Relations
Health Canada
613-957-2983
media@hc-sc.gc.ca

Public Inquiries:
613-957-2991
1-866-225-0709

 

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Limited Legalization Measure Introduced In Ireland

Written by Frank Schuler on . Posted in Policy.

People Before Profit TD Gino Kenny has formally filed an adult-use legalization measure that would legalize cannabis possession for people 18 years old or older in Ireland. The long-anticipated measure was introduced late last week, and if passed into law, would legalize the personal possession of up to seven grams of cannabis flower and 2.5 grams of concentrates. The bill would not legalize cannabis sales.

“I believe that if passed, this bill will provide a stepping stone to a more progressive drug policy in Ireland.” TD Gino Kenny stated on Twitter.

The legalization bill is now before the lower chamber of Ireland’s legislative body (the Dáil Éireann). It is not expected that the bill will advance this year, with TD Gino Kenny indicating at the time of the bill’s submission that he expects it to be debated in 2023.

This particular measure’s future is uncertain, as it faces an uphill battle to gain traction among Ireland’s lawmakers. One leading lawmaker has already come out fairly forcefully in opposition to the measure. Per excerpts from Independent:

The Taoiseach has warned against cannabis being “glamorised” after new proposals are due to be brought before the Oireachtas on legalising possession of up to 7g.

The former health minister said he would be in favour of a more healthcare-based approach to addiction and warned about the harms of cannabis.

“I think we have to be careful that we don’t glamorise cannabis either because there are real concerns within the health community and the medical community about what cannabis can do to young people.”

Currently, the Misuse of Drugs Acts in Ireland provides for a fine of €1,000 in the District Courts for first and second offenses involving personal possession. Larger fines can be handed down in some instances. If someone commits the offense of personal possession and it’s their third or greater offense of its type, the offender can be sentenced to up to one year in prison.

The Criminal Justice Act in Ireland mandates that courts must consider giving a community service penalty in place of a prison sentence, and that affects some cases. A poll from 2021 found that 93% of people in Ireland support medical cannabis legalization, yet only 40% support adult-use legalization.

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Legalization Moves A Step Closer In Colombia

Written by Frank Schuler on . Posted in Policy.

Colombia has served in many ways as ‘ground zero’ for the war on drugs over several decades, and while cocaine was largely the focus of eradication and enforcement efforts, cannabis has played a significant role in the South American country as well.

Infamous cannabis smugglers in the 1970s, such as Robert Platshorn, would purchase cannabis by the ton in Colombia and smuggle it back to the United States where the ‘Colombian Red’ and other well-known strains would then make their way around North America.

Colombia, along with every other nation in South America, has explored reforming its cannabis laws with a new focus in recent years after Uruguay became the first country on earth to pass a nationwide adult-use cannabis legalization measure. Uruguay initially passed the measure in 2013, however, legal sales would not launch until a handful of years later.

By virtually every measure, cannabis legalization is working in Uruguay. And just as it is working in Uruguay, so too could it work in Colombia. Fortunately for sensible cannabis policy, legalization moved one step closer to becoming reality in Colombia this week, with Senators voting to advance a legalization measure. Per Marijuana Moment:

A bill to legalize marijuana in Colombia has been approved in a Senate committee for the first time, weeks after it also advanced in the country’s Chamber of Representatives.

Lawmakers have met several times in recent weeks to debate the reform proposal, which would amend the country’s Constitution to end cannabis prohibition for adults.

It passed the First Committee of the Senate on Tuesday by a vote of 11-4, though there are still more legislative steps that must be taken before it’s potentially enacted into law.

It’s absolutely worth noting that just because there is support for a legalization measure in general among lawmakers, and even though a measure is working its way through the political process, nothing is guaranteed. Mexico is a great example of that.

Mexico’s Supreme Court ruled years ago that cannabis prohibition as it pertained to individuals was unconstitutional. Lawmakers were tasked with passing a legalization measure and standing up a regulated industry, which has failed to happen so far. Hopefully we don’t see legalization stall in a similar fashion in Colombia and legalization continues to move forward without delay.