Author: Frank Schuler

Morocco Government Issues Ten Permits For Cannabis Production

Written by Frank Schuler on October 11, 2022. Posted in Business, Policy.

Morocco first adopted its current medical cannabis policy last year. The 2021 measure authorized the legal production of cannabis for medical, cosmetic, and industrial uses, as well as tasked a national agency to oversee the launch and operation of the industry.

Back in March of this year Morocco’s government selected three provinces where medical cannabis would eventually be legally cultivated for domestic and export purposes. Roughly three months later the nation’s national cannabis regulatory agency met for the first time, moving the launch of the nation’s legal industry one step closer.

This month Morocco’s industry effectively did launch, in that the government issued its first round of cannabis production permits. Per Reuters:

A Moroccan state agency has issued the first 10 permits for the use of cannabis in industry and medicine and for export, it said, the result of a law passed last year.

Farmers who organise into cooperatives in the northern mountain areas of Al Houceima, Taounat and Chefchaouen will be gradually allowed to grow cannabis to meet the needs of the legal market, the agency said.

Morocco has long served as a top source for unregulated cannabis, particularly hashish. Consumers and patients all over the world, and particularly in Europe, consider Morocco’s unregulated cannabis products to be top shelf.

It will be interesting to see if Morocco’s success in the unregulated market transfers over to the regulated industry. Only time will tell, although, the speed at which Morocco is moving is certainly encouraging.

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Israel Study Finds CBD Is “Highly Effective” In Adults With Refractory Epilepsy

Written by Frank Schuler on October 11, 2022. Posted in Science.

When it comes to medical cannabis, arguably the most effective way that cannabis can be used is in cannabidiol (CBD) form to treat refractory epilepsy. Cannabis can effectively treat a number of conditions, however, it seems to be particularly useful among epilepsy patients.

CBD’s ability to successfully treat refractory epilepsy among child patients has received a lot of media attention in recent years, and for good reason. When pharmaceutical medications fail parents turn to CBD which is non-toxic and does not induce intoxication, and in a vast majority of cases, it proves to be a tremendous form of treatment.

Cannabidiol is also effective at treating adult patients that suffer from refractory epilepsy according to a new study out of Israel. Below is more information about it via a news release from NORML:

Tel Aviv, Israel: Adults with treatment-resistant focal epilepsy (epilepsy characterized by seizures arising from a specific part of the brain) respond favorably to the adjunctive use of plant-derived CBD dominant cannabis extracts, according to data published in the journal Neurological Sciences.

A Colombian investigator assessed the efficacy of high CBD/low THC extracts in a cohort of epileptic patients. Of those who maintained a cannabis-treatment regimen for at least three months, 80 percent experienced a greater than 50 percent reduction in seizure frequency at 12 weeks. Only a minority of patients reported any side-effects.

“The reduction in seizures frequency is maintained over time.” the study’s author concluded. “The CBMF (cannabis-based magistral formulation) is a highly effective and safe therapy to treat adult patients with DRFE (drug resistant focal epilepsy).”

Israeli data published in June similarly reported that children with refractory forms of epilepsy experience significant reductions in seizure frequency following the long-term use of plant-derived CBD extracts.

In 2018, the US Food and Drug Administration granted market approval to Epidiolex, a prescription medicine containing a standardized formulation of plant-derived cannabidiol for the treatment of two rare forms of severe epilepsy: Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome. Shortly after approval, the US Drug Enforcement Administration reclassified Epidiolex to Schedule V of the US Controlled Substances Act — the lowest restriction classification available under federal law.

Full text of the study, “Cannabis based magistral formulation is highly effective as an adjuvant treatment in drug-resistant focal epilepsy in adult patients: An open-label prospective cohort study,” appears in Neurological Sciences. Additional information on cannabis and epilepsy is available from NORML.

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Poll Finds Majority Support For Medical Cannabis Legalization In Singapore

Written by Frank Schuler on October 11, 2022. Posted in Policy.

Singapore is currently home to some of the worst cannabis laws on earth. As proof of that, consider the fact that people can still be subjected to the death penalty for cannabis-only offenses, a penalty that was rendered as recently as this last summer by authorities in Singapore.

The nation’s obsession with reefer madness is not just found in law, but also elsewhere in Singapore society such as athletic competition. Singapore swimmer Joseph Schooling became an international sensation in 2016 when he defeated the United States’ Michael Phelps in the 100-meter butterfly.

Schooling wasn’t just the first swimmer from Singapore to become an Olympic champion – he was the country’s first Olympic champion ever for any category. It’s a distinction that he holds to this day. Unfortunately, Schooling admitted to using cannabis and is currently being ruthlessly shamed by his government in addition to being suspended from competition.

With all of that going on, it’s clear to see why the results of a new poll demonstrating majority support for medical cannabis legalization is significant. Per The Straits Times:

Slightly more than half of 1,000 Singaporeans and permanent residents surveyed recently believe the Republic should consider legalising cannabis for medical purposes.

Asked whether Singapore should consider legalising cannabis only for medical purposes, 53 per cent said “yes”.

Unfortunately, the support for medical cannabis reform does not appear to extend to recreational cannabis reform, as only a mere 12% of poll respondents expressed support for adult-use cannabis legalization.

The poll was commissioned by The Sunday Times and in partnership with the consumer research company Milieu Insight in September 2022.

Study Finds Cannabis Is Associated With Quality Of Life Improvements In Adults With Autism

Written by Frank Schuler on October 3, 2022. Posted in Science.

It is estimated that as much as 1% of the world’s population has autism spectrum disorder, although many cases go undiagnosed so it’s quite possible that there are more people out there that have autism spectrum disorder.

Autism spectrum disorder is a neurological and developmental condition that affects how people communicate with others and how they learn and behave. The severity of autism spectrum disorder varies widely among those with the condition, which may contribute to any disparities in diagnosis rates.

Researchers in the United Kingdom recently examined the relationship between cannabis use and adults with autism spectrum disorder. The findings from the study are very insightful. Below is more information about it via a news release from NORML:

London, United Kingdom: The use of cannabis flowers and extracts is associated with symptom improvements in adults diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), according to data published in the journal Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology.

British investigators affiliated with Imperial College in London assessed the safety and efficacy of cannabis products in a cohort of autistic adults (mean age: 32) enrolled in the UK Medical Cannabis Registry. Subjects in the study either inhaled cannabis flowers or consumed sublingual extracts for a period of up to six months. Subjects primarily consumed cannabis preparations that were elevated in THC content and lower in CBD.

Consistent with prior studies, investigators reported that patients experienced symptomatic improvements following cannabis therapy. They also reduced their use of prescription medications. Specifically, there was “a 33.3 percent and 25.0 percent reduction in the concomitant prescribing of benzodiazepines and neuroleptics, respectively, within this cohort.” Authors further acknowledged that cannabis preparations were “well tolerated” by over 80 percent of the participants.

“In this first published experience of clinical outcomes in adult patients with ASD treated with CBMPs [cannabis-based medicinal products], there were associated improvements in general health-related quality of life, in addition to sleep- and anxiety-specific outcomes,” they concluded. “Moreover, there was a reduction in the administration of concomitant medications, some of which are associated with serious adverse events with long-term use. … These results … provide scientific justification for further evaluation within the context of randomized controlled trials while also providing guidance for clinical practice in the interim.”

Numerous trials have previously identified clinical improvements in autistic children who consume plant-derived CBD extracts. Survey data published in 2021 by the publication Autism Parenting Magazine reported that 22 percent of US caregivers or parents have provided CBD to an autistic child.

Full text of the study, “Clinical outcome analysis of patients with autism spectrum disorder: Analysis from the UK Medical Cannabis Registry,” appears in Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology. Additional information on cannabis and ASD is available from NORML.

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Former President Of Mexico Says Legalization Will ‘Pull The Rug Out From Under The Cartels’

Written by Frank Schuler on October 3, 2022. Posted in Policy.

In late 2018 Mexico’s Supreme Court issued two landmark rulings that collectively overturned the country’s prohibition on cannabis as it pertained to recreational use. The rulings established case law that all judges in Mexico are bound by, however, they did not completely set the nation’s cannabis policies, particularly when it comes to the cannabis industry.

Part of the Court’s decisions back in late 2018 involved Mexico’s federal lawmakers being tasked with passing a measure that would fully implement cannabis legalization and create an adult-use cannabis industry. The Court’s mandate initially involved a one year deadline.

Unfortunately, the deadline was not complied with and a series of extensions have come and gone, yet cannabis advocates in Mexico are still waiting on a measure to be passed. Various lawmakers have hinted that legalization is near, although at this point many cannabis advocates inside and outside of Mexico see those claims as nothing more than pandering.

Former President Vicente Fox is an outspoken advocate for cannabis reform in Mexico, and he recently expressed frustration with how long the process is taking to get a legalization measure passed. He also made a bold claim regarding legalization and Mexico’s drug cartels. Per excerpts from Mexico News Daily:

Former president and marijuana entrepreneur Vicente Fox has urged lawmakers and authorities to legalize and regulate the recreational use of cannabis, asserting that doing so will reduce cartels’ income and create economic opportunities for ordinary Mexicans.

“Sometimes people ask why [former] president Fox is involved in this, if he is a druggie or pothead – a lot of people make jokes,” Fox said. “I’m involved in this because I’m totally convinced that legalizing marijuana is [the way] to pull the rug out from under the cartels.”

How long it will ultimately take for lawmakers in Mexico to pass a legalization measure and for regulators to launch a regulated adult-use industry is anyone’s guess at this point. In fairness, it is worth recognizing that creating a regulated adult-use industry in Mexico is much different compared to many other countries due to the cartel factor.

The industry has to be set up in a way that minimizes the involvement of cartels in the regulated industry, as it’s very logical to assume that cartels will work very hard to gain as much of Mexico’s legal market as possible. If that proves to be the case it will be very unfortunate. Mexico not only needs to legalize cannabis, it also has to legalize the right way.

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Canadian Study Finds That Medical Cannabis Products Are Safe And Effective

Written by Frank Schuler on October 2, 2022. Posted in Science.

Humans have used cannabis and derivatives of cannabis for medical purposes for thousands of years. The cannabis plant is arguably the most versatile plant on earth and provides a number of wellness benefits.

Unfortunately, a number of governments around the globe still prohibit cannabis, even for medical use. For whatever reason, those governments cling to the false claim that cannabis has no medical value. Whereas cannabis’ wellness properties have been around for a very long time, cannabis prohibition is a relatively new thing.

Thankfully, the cannabis plant is being researched now more than ever before, and the results of many of those studies are providing key insight which can then be used to debunk prohibitionist talking points, including that cannabis is not safe for medical use.

A study in Canada determined recently that medical cannabis products are indeed safe and effective. Below is more information about it via a NORML news release:

Ontario, Canada: Medical cannabis products are safe and effective for older adults with chronic pain conditions, according to data published in The Journal of Cannabis Research.

Researchers assessed the safety and efficacy of cannabis products in a cohort of medically authorized Canadian patients age 65 or older. Subjects in the study used cannabis for at least three months.

Consistent with other studies assessing the use of cannabis by seniors, investigators reported that marijuana treatments were safe, well-tolerated, and associated with meaningful reductions in pain. “No serious AEs (adverse events) were reported, and non-serious AEs were experienced in less than 12 percent of the cohort,” they acknowledged.

Most patients in the study reported no prior experience with cannabis. Most initially purchased cannabis products either high in CBD or containing equal ratios of CBD and THC. Participants typically preferred cannabis oils over other formulations.

Authors concluded, “Our findings inform the underexplored area of medical cannabis use in this population and suggest that medical cannabis is associated with therapeutic effects on pain in older adults with an acceptable safety profile.”

Full text of the study, “Medical cannabis authorization patterns, safety, and associated effects in older adults,” appears in The Journal of Cannabis Research. Additional information is available in NORML’s fact sheet, ‘Cannabis Use by Older Adult Populations.’

The Greens Urge Australia’s Federal Parliament To Legalize Adult-Use Cannabis

Written by Frank Schuler on October 2, 2022. Posted in Policy.

Australia is home to an emerging cannabis industry, although cannabis laws vary from state to state throughout the country. The most progressive region when it comes to cannabis policy can be found in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), where cannabis was decriminalized in 2020.

In fact, as we previously reported, the University of Sydney is launching a free cannabis testing program for residents of ACT that want to test their cannabis. The goal of that program is to gather insight into what potencies and varieties of cannabis consumers are actually cultivating and/or consuming in Australia. That insight, in theory, will help lawmakers craft policies and regulations.

Leadership among The Australian Greens, or The Greens as the party is often referred to, is urging the nation’s government to legalize cannabis for adult use at the national level, and in the process, supersede any local prohibition policies. Per The Guardian:

As the minor party ramps up its campaign to legalise cannabis ahead of a planned private member’s bill to be introduced next year, the Greens’ justice spokesperson, David Shoebridge, said the advice from constitutional lawyer Patrick Keyzer paved the way for new federal laws.

The advice suggests that there are three commonwealth heads of power that would enable it to legalise and regulate cannabis use, with the clearest pathway via a part of section 51, which relates to copyrights, patents of inventions and designs, and trademarks.

Whether or not that proves to be a viable path to adult-use legalization in Australia is something that we will all have to wait and see. Even if there is a viable path to legalization in Australia, and the other claims by The Greens are accurate regarding federal law versus local law, the political will to pass a legalization measure still has to be in place, and that is likely not the case right now, unfortunately.

According to a poll conducted earlier this year by Essential Research, 55% of voters in Australia want cannabis to be legalized and regulated like alcohol. It’s a public policy and industry approach that is already working in Uruguay and Canada, as well as at the state-level in the United States.

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Labour’s Shadow Justice Secretary Says London Cannot Decriminalize Cannabis

Written by Frank Schuler on October 2, 2022. Posted in Business, Policy.

Back in mid-May the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, launched a commission to explore London’s cannabis policies. The ‘London Drugs Commission,’ as it is referred to, is chaired by Lord Charlie Falconer QC, a former lord chancellor and justice secretary. Reviewing London’s cannabis policies was one of Mayor Khan’s pledges during his re-election campaign.

One of the specific public policy components that was heavily reported as being in Mayor Khan’s crosshairs is cannabis decriminalization. People in London support a change in cannabis enforcement in London per a YouGov poll that we previously reported on earlier this month.

“New YouGov data finds that Londoners support decriminalising cannabis within the boundaries of the capital by 50% to 33%. However opinion is divided across party lines, with 64% of the capital’s Labour voters supporting such a move compared to only 34% of Conservative voters.” YouGov stated at the time.

Unfortunately, at least some leaders within the Labour Party seem to have failed to look at the polling data, or at the very least disregarded it, as they are pushing back against any changes in cannabis policy and enforcement in London. The latest example of that comes from Steve Reed, the Labour’s Party’s shadow justice secretary. Per Eastern Eye:

Steve Reed said that the party would not look to decriminalise or legalise any recreational drugs, and Khan will not be given powers to do so, reported The Telegraph. He added that Labour will not allow Khan to turn London into a ‘drug supermarket’.

“Khan is entitled to his view, but mayors will not be responsible under this government or under a Labour government for that policy. So he can express whatever he likes, but he’ll never have the opportunity to do it under a Labour government because we won’t be liberalising drugs laws,” Reed was quoted as saying by The Telegraph.

“He’s contributing to a debate, but he won’t have the power to do anything about it, however that comes about.”

According to media reports, Mayor Khan wants to implement a similar pilot program that was created by the Thames Valley police in which young adults caught with a personal amount of cannabis undergo classes or counseling instead of being arrested and prosecuted.

Forcing young people into classes or counseling for personal cannabis possession in itself is not ideal, however, it’s definitely not an enforcement approach that should be categorized as seeking to “turn London into a drug supermarket.”

As the potential government showdown continues to develop in the United Kingdom it is worth keeping an eye on the situation, as it could have ramifications for the national cannabis policy discussion in addition to the ongoing local discussion.

Minister In Sri Lanka Wants To Legalize Medical Cannabis Exports

Written by Frank Schuler on October 2, 2022. Posted in Business, Policy.

Sri Lanka may not be the first place that you think of when it comes to cannabis reform and the emerging cannabis industry, however, the nation is trending in the right direction, albeit slowly. Adult-use cannabis is illegal in Sri Lanka while medical cannabis is legal in certain limited instances.

The cannabis plant has a long history in Sri Lanka, with local populations using it for centuries for religious purposes. A new push is underway in Sri Lanka to legalize medical cannabis exports, with the nation’s Minister of Indigenous Medicine leading the charge. Per Colombo Gazette:

Medical cannabis to be legalised for export, State Minister of Indigenous Medicine Sisira Jayakody said.

The State Minister has instructed the relevant officials to prepare the legal documents for this purpose.

He said that Sri Lanka can earn around USD 3 billion through the export of indigenous medicine.

It is no secret that Sri Lanka’s economy is in ruins right now. Roughly a decade ago Sri Lanka had one of the fastest growing economies in the region, however, in May the country defaulted on its debt for the first time in history, and it has been all down hill from there.

Legalizing medical cannabis exports may not fix every economic problem that Sri Lanka has, yet it could definitely help to some degree. In addition to legalizing exports the government in Sri Lanka also needs to embrace cannabis domestically and ensure that every suffering patient in the country is afforded the same level of safe access as found in many other countries.