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CBD Associated With Decreased Daytime Fatigue In Croatian Clinical Trial

Written by Frank Schuler on . Posted in Science.

It’s fairly common for someone to feel fatigued as the day goes on, especially when it comes to suffering patients who may already struggle with fatigue due to their health condition(s). Even for non-suffering patients, the ‘two-thirty feeling’ can be real when tiredness sets in around the middle of the afternoon.

A number of products and services profess to boost energy throughout the day, with varying levels of effectiveness. Many energy-boosting products contain large amounts of added sugar and other additives that are not always healthy.

Researchers in Croatia recently conducted a clinical trial to determine if cannabidiol (CBD) can be effective at reducing daytime fatigue. Below is more information about the results of the clinical trial via a news release from NORML:

Split, Croatia: CBD administration is associated with decreased daytime fatigue and improved psychological well-being, according to randomized placebo-controlled data published in the journal Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research.

A team of Croatian researchers assessed the use of CBD versus placebo on participants’ quality of life. Subjects consumed either CBD or placebo for five-week intervals.

“Five-week administration of CBD, but not of placebo, resulted in improvement of ESS [Epworth sleepiness scale] score as well as fatigue/vitality and psychological well-being,” investigators concluded. Although subjects reported reduced incidents of daytime sleepiness, they did not similarly report improvements in their overall sleep quality.

Prior studies have reported that CBD dosing before bedtime is associated with improved sleep quality in patients with a history of sleep disturbances.

Full text of the study, “Chronic cannabidiol administration mitigates excessive daytime sleepiness and fatigue in patients with primary hypertension: insights from a randomized crossover trial,” appears in Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research.

Cannabis Flower

German Endometriosis Patients Report Quality Of Life Improvements Following Cannabis Use

Written by Frank Schuler on . Posted in Science.

Endometriosis is a serious health condition involving tissue similar to the lining of the uterus growing outside the patient’s uterus. Endometriosis can cause severe pain in the patient’s pelvis. The condition can make it difficult for the suffering patient to become pregnant. Patients can start experiencing symptoms of the condition during their first menstrual period and the symptoms can last up until menopause.

International researchers estimate that roughly 5-10% of women of reproductive age around the globe suffer from endometriosis. Unfortunately, very little is known about what causes endometriosis.

A team of researchers in Germany recently conducted a study involving endometriosis patients and reported quality of life improvements following cannabis use. Below is more information about the results of the study via a news release from NORML:

Berlin, Germany: Nearly one in five patients with endometriosis report using cannabis to effectively manage their pain or other related symptoms, according to survey data published in the journal Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics.

German investigators surveyed over 900 patients with endometriosis. Consistent with prior analyses, a significant percentage of respondents acknowledged using cannabis products and most said that they were highly effective at mitigating their symptoms.

“Seventeen percent of the respondents used cannabis or cannabis-related products as a self-management method,” they determined. “Cannabis was rated as the most effective self-management strategy to reduce symptom intensity (self-rated efficacy 7.6 out of 10). Additionally, ~ 90 percent of the participants were able to decrease their pain medication intake. The greatest improvement was observed in sleep (91 percent), menstrual pain (90 percent), and non-cyclic pain (80 percent). Apart from increased fatigue (17 percent), side effects were infrequent (≤ 5 percent).”

The study’s authors concluded: “The use of cannabis [has] a significant impact on the overall well-being and quality of life of women with endometriosis. … The study indicates that there is a significant interest and demand for additional therapeutic options, and cannabis can potentially become an important part of a multimodal therapy approach for treating endometriosis.”

The study’s findings are consistent with those from Canada and Australia, which have similarly reported that cannabis relieves endometriosis-related pain and other symptoms. According to a recent scientific review, “The use of cannabis for endometriosis-related pain holds promise for addressing the often-debilitating discomfort experienced by those with this condition.”

Full text of the study, “Cannabis use in endometriosis: the patients have their say – An online survey for German-speaking countries,” appears in Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics.

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Volkswagen To Research And Develop Hemp Materials

Written by Hazel Norman on . Posted in Business.

The hemp plant has been used by humans for many centuries for various purposes before it was prohibited in the 1900s. Thankfully, policies are being modernized around the globe to permit the use of the hemp plant, and hemp products are making a major comeback.

A recent example of the modern hemp revolution can be found in an announcement by Volkswagen. Volkswagen is a German automobile manufacturer headquartered in Wolfsburg, Lower Saxony, Germany.

“Volkswagen has entered into a cooperation with the German start-up Revoltech GmbH from Darmstadt. The aim is to research and develop sustainable materials based on industrial hemp.” the company stated in a press release. “These could be used as a sustainable surface material in Volkswagen models from 2028. The material made from 100% bio-based hemp uses residues of the regional hemp industry. It can be produced on existing industrial plants and recycled or composted at the end of its service life in an automobile.”

“Our innovative surface material called LOVR™ that we are developing and testing for the automotive industry in cooperation with Volkswagen is scalable and groundbreaking for sustainability in the automotive sector.” stated Lucas Fuhrmann, CEO and co-founder of Revoltech GmbH.

The main focus of the new partnership will be hemp-based leather materials to be used on some of Volkswagen’s automobile lines. If successful, innovations yielded by the new partnership between Volkswagen and Revoltech could be incorporated by other automobile makers, as well as by other industries.

“Together with the Revoltech GmbH start-up, the predevelopment team at the Volkswagen brand is working on a material innovation as a substitute for imitation leather. This material made from what is known as industrial hemp cultivated for the food industry is an all-natural, 100% biological single-layer surface material called LOVRTM (the letters stand for leather-free, oil-free, vegan and residue-based) that is being developed specifically with the automotive industry in mind.” Volkswagen stated.

“The hemp fibers and a fully bio-based adhesive are combined using a special technology and processed to become a surface material. This truly circular material is sourced from regional hemp fields and is fully recyclable or compostable once it has reached the end of its service life. It is produced from residues of the hemp industry that have no further use. In addition, it can be manufactured on existing industrial plants, thus enabling swift scalability – and is therefore also suitable for use in large-scale production.” Volkswagen also stated.

According to a recent market analysis by Spherical Insights LLP, the global industrial hemp market is projected to be worth an estimated $24.30 billion by 2033.

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What Is Holding Back Zimbabwe’s Hemp Industry?

Written by Hazel Norman on . Posted in Business, Policy.

Humans harnessing hemp is far from being a new thing. Hemp fiber was used as far back as 10,000 years ago during the Early Jomon Period in Japan. Consumption for medical purposes goes back at least as far as back as 2,800 BC. Cannabis was included in Emperor Shen Nung’s (regarded as the father of Chinese medicine) pharmacopeia around that time.

Unfortunately, many countries began prohibiting hemp in the early 1900s as overall cannabis prohibition took hold. From an agricultural standpoint, hemp and cannabis are the same plant. However, from a legal standpoint, hemp and cannabis are now treated differently by many governments.

In countries that permit hemp activity, below a defined THC threshold (.2-1%) is considered to be hemp, and above the defined THC threshold is cannabis. Hemp and cannabis laws vary across the globe, with some countries still prohibiting both.

One nation that has modernized its hemp laws to permit production and commerce is Zimbabwe. The African nation adopted reforms in 2019 and 2020 that now govern the domestic hemp industry. Still, the industry is taking longer to thrive in Zimbabwe than advocates have hoped.

“The key challenges are production, seeds, access to finance from local financial institutions, market access, certification of our farmers, and value-addition,” Jonathan Mukuruba, agribusiness director at the Agriculture Marketing Authority, said during a recent panel discussion according to HempToday. “We still do not yet have good agricultural control and control practices applicable to agricultural practices for our processors locally.”

“As of this year, the Agricultural Marketing Authority has issued a total of 61 licenses for hemp production, including cultivation, trade, research, and breeding. Reports suggest Zimbabwe has so far exported over 8,000 ton of hemp – most likely flower biomass for CBD — primarily to Poland, Switzerland and Germany, but figures are difficult to verify.” HempToday also reported.

Cannabis is currently legal for adult use at the national level in Uruguay, Canada, Malta, Luxembourg, Germany, and South Africa, although recreational cannabis commerce remains prohibited in Luxembourg and South Africa.

According to a recent study conducted by researchers from Ukraine and France, and published by the U.S. National Institute of Health, 57 countries have adopted medical cannabis legalization measures.

The legal global cannabis industry is set for significant expansion in the coming years, and a new report by Skyquest Technology Consulting is projecting that the regulated worldwide cannabis market will surpass $148.4 billion in value by 2031.

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Cognitive Performance Is Unaffected By Nightly CBD Use Per Australian Study

Written by Frank Schuler on . Posted in Science.

Insomnia is a major issue around the world, with an estimated one-third of adults worldwide having symptoms of insomnia, and roughly ten percent of adults globally are diagnosed with insomnia. Insomnia occurs when the sufferer has difficulty falling asleep and/or remaining asleep.

The negative effects of suffering from insomnia are significant – increased chances of depression, fatigue, memory issues, mood issues, and weight gain (among many other problems). Many insomnia patients do not respond well to pharmaceutical drugs.

Cannabidiol is a form of medication that many insomnia patients are increasingly turning to. A major question that often comes up between patients and doctors is whether or not CBD causes any lasting cognitive performance issues. According to a recent study conducted in Australia, the answer to that question is no.

“Cannabidiol (CBD) is increasingly used as a sleep aid for insomnia; yet neurocognitive and subjective state effects following daily therapeutic use are unclear.” the researchers stated. The researchers who conducted the study were all affiliated with Swinburne University of Technology.

The primary objective of the study was to “measure the effect of daily CBD use on neurocognitive performance and daily subjective mood in a population with primary insomnia.”

“This study used a randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel design incorporating a single-blind placebo run-in week followed by a two-week double-blind dosing period, during which participants consumed 150 mg CBD (N = 15) or placebo (N = 15) sublingually 60-minutes daily before bed.” the researchers stated about their study’s methodology. “Attention, executive function, reasoning, information processing, working and episodic memory were assessed using the CogPro system at the beginning of the placebo run-in, after 1-week and 2-weeks of dosing. Subjective states using visual analogue scales and side effects were recorded daily.”

“Cognitive performance was unaffected by nightly CBD supplementation (all p > 0.05). From baseline to trial conclusion, those receiving CBD reported greater experience of calmness, clear-headedness, coordination and were more likely to report side-effects of dry mouth relative to placebo (all p < 0.05).” the researchers stated about the study’s findings.

“Relative to placebo, daytime cognitive functioning following nightly supplementation as a therapeutic aid for primary insomnia was preserved under trial conditions. Results suggested an overall favourable safety profile, with larger controlled trials and thorough analyses of varying insomnia phenotypes necessary to corroborate these findings.” the researchers concluded.

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Guyana Lawmaker Authors Op-Ed About Legalization’s Benefits

Written by Hazel Norman on . Posted in Policy.

The Republic of Guyana, a country in South America, is home to cannabis prohibition policies that may not be as harsh as in other nations, however, there is still considerable room for improvement.

Guyana’s Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Control (Amendment) Bill of 2021 removed prison sentences for consumers found in possession of 30 grams or less of cannabis. Consumers caught with more than 30 grams still face potential prison time.

Hon. Jermaine Figueira MP JP, a member of Guyana’s Partnership for National Unity (APNU) + Alliance for Change (AFC), represents Region 1 in Guayana’s Parliament. The lawmaker recently issued an op-ed in which he touted the benefits of Guyana further modernizing the nation’s cannabis policies, particularly as it pertains to a regulated industry.

“The world is changing and it is changing very fast due to factors such as climate change, artificial intelligence, improved technologies, social media platforms, wars and even in terms of what was not acceptable as legal, customs and norms. One such global perspective on “marijuana” has shifted dramatically and rightfully so in recent years, moving from strict prohibition to varying degrees of legalization and acceptance.” Figueira wrote in an op-ed published by Stabroek News.

“Countries like the Netherlands, the United States, Antigua, and Jamaica to name a few, have all witnessed significant economic benefits following the legalization, cultivation and sale of marijuana.” the lawmaker also wrote.

Cannabis is currently legal for adult use at the national level in Uruguay, Canada, Malta, Luxembourg, Germany, and South Africa, although recreational cannabis commerce remains prohibited in Luxembourg and South Africa.

According to a recent study conducted by researchers from Ukraine and France, and published by the U.S. National Institute of Health, 57 countries have adopted medical cannabis legalization measures.

“Drawing on the experiences of these countries, Guyana will learn to tap into the high potential economic gains and its spin off benefits once it moves away from its present backwardness when it comes to this economic/money crop.” Figueira’s op-ed stated.

“Guyana, equally with its rich cultural heritage and natural beauty, could develop a merger of its eco/ cannabis tourism sector that will create thousands of jobs and attract millions of international visitors annually, boosting local businesses and generating additional revenue.” he also wrote.

“States like Colorado and Washington have demonstrated how a well-regulated market can generate substantial tax revenue and reduce criminal justice costs. Our country can learn from these regulatory frameworks to establish our own robust legal and economic structures.” Figueira concluded.

Philippines Flags

Calls For Senate Approval Of Medical Cannabis Bill In The Philippines

Written by Hazel Norman on . Posted in Policy.

Earlier this year the Philippines House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved HB 10439, a measure that would legalize certain medical cannabis therapeutic products in the Philippines in limited instances. The principal author of HB 10439 is National Unity Party president and Camarines Sur Rep. LRay Villafuerte.

Despite the overwhelming approval in the Philippines House of Representatives, the measure appears to have stalled now that it is being considered by the Philippines Senate. Representative Villafuerte is urging Senators to approve the measure with no further delays.

“With the House’s third and final approval of HB 10439 in the previous legislative session, what we only need now is for our senators to act on their counterpart measure, in the hope that we can come up with an enrolled bill for submission to, and enactment into law by, President Marcos this third and final session of the 19th Congress,” Villafuerte said according to local reporting by Politiko.

What is being proposed in the Philippines is the legalization of cannabidiol (CBD) in limited circumstances, which, compared to other medical cannabis legalization models found around the world, would still be very restrictive. Representative Villafuerte is hopeful that the international spread of reform will tip the scales in the Philippines.

“I am more upbeat that the Congress will be able this time around to finally write a law allowing qualified patients with debilitating diseases to use CBD as an alternative treatment for their afflictions, hoping that the UN CND’s recognition of non-addictive CBD will convince most of our senators to pass their measure (Senate Bill 2573) legalizing medical cannabis,” Villafuerte said.

According to a recent study conducted by researchers from Ukraine and France, and published by the U.S. National Institute of Health, 57 countries have adopted medical cannabis legalization measures.

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First Cannabis Cultivation Association Approved In Berlin

Written by Johnny Green on . Posted in Business, Policy.

Marzahn-Hellersdorf recently became the first district in Berlin to approve a cannabis cultivation association. Starting on July 1st, 2024, entities can apply with local regulatory authorities in Germany to create cannabis cultivation associations for adult cannabis consumers.

“The Green Leaf Society eV association received permission, which, according to district councilor Gordon Lemm (SPD), is due to the high sense of responsibility and the well-thought-out structure of the application.” the German Cannabis Business Association stated in a recent newsletter (translated from German to English).

“After a thorough review of the submitted documents, they meet the approval criteria set out in the law. The law places particular emphasis on the issues of youth protection, security, non-commercial structures and information on health and addiction risks for club members.” the District Office of Marzahn-Hellersdorf stated in a news release announcing the application approval.

“The Green Leaf Society’s proposal can certainly be seen as exemplary in many ways. I am sure that other potential cultivation associations can and will learn from it. I fundamentally hope for a responsible approach to cannabis in our society, the protection of our young people and the decline of criminal structures surrounding the issue. Every consumer can contribute to this.” stated district councilor Gordon Lemm (SPD).

After a rocky start, local German governments have started to receive applications for cultivation associations at an increasing rate, with over 200 applications received so far. Cultivation association memberships are capped at 500 members, and associations must adhere to various rules and regulations.

The first cultivation association approval occurred in Lower Saxony in early July. Officials in North Rhine-Westphalia previously estimated that their state could eventually be home to as many as 3,000 cultivation associations based on population. Applying the same population-based calculation, Berlin could eventually be home to over 600 cultivation associations.

Cannabis cultivation associations are part of the first phase (pillar 1) of Germany’s adult-use legalization model. Starting on April 1st, 2024, adults in Germany can cultivate, possess, and consume cannabis for recreational purposes.

The second phase of Germany’s legalization model (pillar 2) involves permitting local municipalities to launch regional adult-use cannabis commerce pilot research trials. Per our recent reporting, over two dozen municipalities in Germany have indicated that they will launch their own pilot trials once the regulatory process is implemented.

A supermajority of respondents in a recent survey in Germany hold a positive or neutral view of the nation’s modernized approach to cannabis policy and regulation.

“According to a recent representative survey by the Björn Steiger Foundation, 61 percent of Germans have never consumed cannabis, or at least not in the last 12 months. In the new federal states, the figure for never-consumers is almost 50 percent, which is almost 10 percent higher than the figure in the old federal states.” stated the Björn Steiger Foundation.

“Around 70 percent of respondents see the partial legalization as positive or neutral, with male respondents showing significantly greater approval.” the organization also stated.

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Renowned Czech Cannabis Expert To Keynote International Cannabis Business Conference In Slovenia

Written by Johnny Green on . Posted in Business, Entertainment, Policy, Science.

The European continent, and much of the rest of the world, is undergoing a historic shift when it comes to cannabis policy and industry. After many decades of failed cannabis prohibition policies, a growing number of jurisdictions are finally pursuing a more sensible approach.

Jindřich Vobořil is at the forefront of Europe’s cannabis policy revolution. Vobořil is one of the leading world experts on drug policy and proponents of rational regulation and harm reduction. He has lectured and developed community and social projects in Hungary, Afghanistan, Great Britain, Bolivia, Columbia, Ecuador, and Peru.

The International Cannabis Business Conference is pleased to announce that Jindřich Vobořil will provide a keynote address at its upcoming cannabis science and technology event in Bled, Slovenia on September 13th, 2024. Vobořil’s keynote address will focus on exploring the relationship between international, EU, and national laws, and examining the ongoing dynamic between the EU and its member states when it comes to cannabis policies.

Vobořil has also worked as a consultant for the European Union, the UN, and the Open Society Foundations. Between 2010 and 2024, he served twice as a national drug coordinator of the Czech Republic. In that role Jindřich Vobořil worked on a draft bill to regulate cannabis in Czechia and stop the criminalization of consumers. The policy modernization measure is now ready to be introduced by Czechia’s Parliament.

In September 2024, Jindřich Vobořil became a strategic adviser to Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala which should further boost the Czech Republic’s cannabis policy modernization efforts.

“The new position will allow Mr. Voboril to be closer to the PM whose support is crucial for any meaningful reform of Czech cannabis laws, at the same time freeing him from pressure from conservative forces in the ruling coalition because as a national drug coordinator he was their subordinate (employee of the whole government), whereas strategic advisor is not a full-time job and his employer will be only the PM himself, not all five coalition parties.” states Lukáš Hurt, co-founder of NGO Rational Regulation which is working closely with Voboril on regulation efforts.

“Also, Voboril has many friends and supporters among MPs and Senators and his influence on legislative processes related to cannabis will thus remain strong.” Lukáš Hurt also stated.

The International Cannabis Business Conference will be held in Bled, Slovenia on September 13th at the iconic Rikli Balance Hotel. The conference will also feature an after-party hosted by acclaimed multi-Grammy winning DJ and producer Native Wayne. The conference after-party is sponsored by Metaflora and will be held at the Grand Hotel Toplice.

The conference in Bled is the first major cannabis event to be held in Slovenia after the nation’s historic cannabis votes in June. A majority of voters in Slovenia selected ‘yes’ when asked, “Should the Republic of Slovenia allow the cultivation and possession of cannabis for limited personal use on its territory?”

Additionally, a super-majority of Slovenian voters (66.71%) selected ‘yes’ during the June election when asked, “Should the Republic of Slovenia allow the cultivation and processing of cannabis for medical purposes on its territory?”

Cannabis and hemp science and technology are expansive topics involving ecological remediation, biology, horticulture, chemistry, and nearly every other scientific field of study. Leading regional and international experts will participate in keynote presentations and panel discussions as part of the event’s curriculum.

The conference, which is a recent addition to the International Cannabis Business Conference series, is expecting attendees and speakers from all over the world to participate in the science and technology event. The title sponsor for the Slovenia conference is global hemp industry leader Laurelcrest.

As the emerging international cannabis industry continues to expand in size and scope, the demand for research and development is increasing. As an established international leader in research and development, Slovenia is uniquely positioned to gain a meaningful market share in the sector, and this event will explore potential options that the nation and region can pursue.

“With so much going on, it is vital for the future success of the industry, and for unlocking the full potential of the cannabis plant, that leading scientists, researchers, and innovators network with and learn from each other. I am excited for my team to facilitate this conference in Slovenia and to bring the world’s leading minds together to help push cannabis science and technology forward.” states Alex Rogers, co-founder, and CEO of the International Cannabis Business Conference.

Visit the International Cannabis Business Conference’s website for a full list of speakers and the conference schedule. Conference topics will include:

  • Endocannabinoid research
  • Emerging cultivation science
  • Technology industry sector trends
  • Global policy modernization efforts
  • Regulations and compliance
  • Business opportunities for the Balkan region
  • The current state of international markets

A limited number of tickets are still available to the International Cannabis Business Conference in Bled, Slovenia on September 13th. Find out more information, including how to purchase tickets, at Internationalcbc.com/slovenia.