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Patients Exhibit Few Changes In Driving Performance Following Medical Cannabis Use

Written by Frank Schuler on . Posted in Science.

Every responsible cannabis consumer and advocate on earth recognizes that operating a motor vehicle on a public roadway while being intoxicated by any substance, including cannabis, is not safe.

With that being said, just because someone has cannabis in their system does not automatically mean that they are too impaired to safely operate a motor vehicle. Governments have seemed to struggle with that premise when crafting DUI laws in their jurisdictions.

Medical cannabis patients are particularly affected by bad cannabis DUI laws, as they essentially have to choose between taking their medicine or risking prosecution for simply having metabolized THC in their system.

Researchers in Australia recently conducted a study involving medical cannabis use and driving performance. Below is more information about it via a news release from NORML:

Hawthorne, Australia: Patients display few changes in their driving performance following the use of medical cannabis products, according to data published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology.

Australian researchers assessed simulated driving performance in a cohort of 40 patients authorized to consume cannabis. (Under Australian law, physicians may authorize cannabis products to patients unresponsive to conventional prescription treatments.) Participants completed a baseline driving assessment prior to their participation in the study. On the day of the study, patients consumed their typical dose of medical cannabis (either cannabis-based extracts or flowers) at the testing site prior to engaging in a battery of driving simulator tests.

Researchers identified no significant changes from patients’ baseline driving performance that would indicate psychomotor impairment.

They reported: “In this open-label semi-naturalistic study, simulated and perceived driving performance among 40 patients was assessed prior to and following self-administration of their own prescribed medical cannabis product. While oil users tended to have higher SDLP [standard deviation in lateral positioning] values, this was stable over time and there was no evidence of impairment for either administration route. Furthermore, the lack of changes in speed variability suggests a modest but sustained stabilization of vehicle control. … [N]o notable evidence of driving impairment (i.e. a significant decline in driving performance metrics within the simulated driving scenario) was observed for either consumption modality, relative to baseline.”

The study’s authors concluded, “Overall, this semi-naturalistic study suggests that medical cannabis, used as prescribed, has a negligible impact on simulated driving performance.”

The study’s findings are consistent with those of several others determining that daily cannabis consumers, and patients especially, exhibit tolerance to many of cannabis’ psychomotor-influencing effects. According to the findings of a literature review published in the journal of the German Medical Association, “Patients who take cannabinoids at a constant dosage over an extensive period of time often develop tolerance to the impairment of psychomotor performance, so that they can drive vehicles safely.”

Full text of the study, “A semi-naturalistic open-label study examining the effect of prescribed medical cannabis use on simulated driving performance,” appears in the Journal of Psychopharmacology. Additional information is available in the NORML Fact Sheet, ‘Marijuana and Psychomotor Performance.’

Bed Time Sleeping Insomnia Sleep Nap

Cannabis Associated With Sustained Improvements In Sleep Quality

Written by Frank Schuler on . Posted in Science.

Insomnia is a very serious health issue all over the globe. Researchers estimate that as many as one out of every three adults around the world suffers from insomnia. Insomnia is a common sleep disorder in which sufferers have trouble falling and/or staying asleep.

The inability to fall asleep and/or stay asleep can have a dramatically negative impact on a person’s life. A lack of sleep, especially if the lack of sleep is chronic, can result in a person having issues with cognitive functions, including memory loss and the inability to focus. Chronic insomnia can result in major depression in some cases.

Researchers in the United Kingdom recently conducted an analysis in which they examined cannabis use and its impact on sustained improvements in sleep quality. Below is more information about the analysis via a news release from NORML:

London, United Kingdom: Insomnia patients who consume cannabis products report sustained improvements in their sleep quality, according to data published in the journal Brain & Behavior.

British investigators assessed the safety and efficacy of plant-derived cannabis products (either oils, flower, or a combination of both) in over 60 patients enrolled in the UK Medical Cannabis Registry. Cohort participants possessed a doctor’s authorization to access cannabis products. (Since 2018, specialists have been permitted to prescribe cannabis-based medicinal products to patients unresponsive to conventional medications.) Authors assessed the efficacy of cannabis at one, three, and six months.

Researchers reported that cannabis products were “well tolerated” and that they were associated with better sleep, reduced anxiety, and greater quality of life.

They concluded: “More than 40 percent of participants who completed each PROM [patient-reported outcome measure] round reported clinically significant improvement in their sleep quality at each time period. These results show that initiation of CBMP [cannabis-based medicinal products] therapy was associated with improvements in those patients who had previously failed to respond to currently licensed treatments for insomnia.”

Other studies assessing the use of cannabis products in patients enrolled in the UK Cannabis Registry have reported them to be effective for those suffering from chronic pain, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, depression, migraine, inflammatory bowel disease, and other afflictions.

Placebo-controlled clinical trial data has previously affirmed the efficacy of plant-derived cannabis extracts in patients suffering from chronic insomnia.

Full text of the study, “UK Medical Cannabis Registry: Assessment of clinical outcomes in patients with insomnia,” appears inBrain & Behavior.Additional information on cannabis and insomnia is available from NORML’s publication, Clinical Applications for Cannabis & Cannabinoids.

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Germany Votes To Legalize Cannabis For Adults

Written by Johnny Green on . Posted in Policy.

Over two years after Germany’s current governing coalition was elected and announced plans to pass a national adult-use cannabis legalization measure, members of the German Bundestag have officially approved the adult-use legalization bill (CanG) by a 407-226 vote.

As was widely expected, the measure received sufficient votes earlier today in the Bundestag to pass, and components of the new German adult-use cannabis legalization law are expected to be implemented on April 1, 2024.

The measure’s approval comes after considerable discussions were held between the measure’s author, German Health Minister Karl Lauterbach, and representatives from the European Union. The legalization bill faced opposition by various domestic lawmakers in Germany, however, efforts to derail the measure leading up to today’s vote failed.

According to the recently passed bill, adults in Germany will be able to cultivate up to three plants in private for personal use. Personal cultivation is expected to create considerable opportunities for companies that specialize in cultivation-related products and services such as seeds, grow lights, plant nutrients, harvesting equipment, odor control, and drying equipment.

In addition to being able to cultivate cannabis, adults in Germany will be able to possess a personal amount of cannabis. The possession limit will reportedly be set at 25 grams for adults when they are away from their private residence, and 50 grams at their private residence.

In addition to the expressed legal possession limit, penalties for possessing slightly more than the legal threshold will be considered an ‘administrative violation’ rather than a criminal offense yielding jail time.

Cannabis will be removed from Germany’s Narcotics List once the new law is implemented, marking a significant shift in German cannabis policy. The de-listing of cannabis will improve safe access for medical cannabis patients by removing various hurdles in the medical cannabis supply chain and streamlining processes for pharmacies. Cannabis research will be easier to pursue, and academic institutions may begin to receive national and/or EU-provided funds for specific research projects.

Noncommercial cannabis clubs are expected to launch as early as July 1, 2024, as part of the measure. Membership-based noncommercial clubs, from which adult consumers can legally source their cannabis, will be subjected to various regulations. Consumers will also be able to purchase seeds and clones from noncommercial clubs.

One of the sticking points leading up to today’s successful vote was the implementation of noncommercial clubs, and part of the coalition’s compromise is to reportedly stagger the implementation date.

“Cannabis had been banned in Germany since 1929, and even the cultivation of industrial hemp from 1982-1996. It then took over two decades until at least the medical potential of cannabis was recognized in Germany and patients were given access to medical cannabis through a legal reform. It took another 7 years, until today, until at least the possession of 25 g and the cultivation of three own plants was allowed. In so far, we can speak of an once-in-a-hundred-years event, provided of course that the CanG also clears the hurdle of the Federal Council. However, there is still a long way to go before complete destigmatization and fair legalization are achieved. Neither the consumers, nor the activists, nor the industry must let up on this path, but must continue to do everything in their power every day to ensure that this path can be taken successfully.” stated Kai Friedrich Niermann, leading attorney at KFN+ Law Office, about today’s historic vote.

All of the previously listed items are part of the ‘first phase’ of Germany’s legalization plan, often referred to as ‘the first pillar.’ The second phase/pillar involves the launch of regional adult-use cannabis commerce pilot programs, similar to what is already in place in Switzerland, but on a significantly larger scale. Nationwide adult-use sales, similar to what is in place in Canada, will have to wait due to European Union restrictions.

“After a long discussion regarding the legalization of cannabis for recreational purposes in Germany, the German parliament has today passed the “Cannabisgestz”. This is a major step in the German legalization process and the government intends to implement the law to become effective on April 1, 2024 to allow home grow and from July 1,2024 to allow the cultivation of recreational cannabis in community cultivation associations. However, it is possible that the implementation of the draft law may take some additional time depending on the decision of the Federal Council (Bundesrat) whether it refers the draft law to a mediation committee for further consideration of amendments. This could prolong the whole legalization process even for a couple of months.” stated Peter Homberg, Partner at Dentons, about today’s vote.

Per initial reporting by RND, Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) does expect constitutional challenges against the planned legalization of cannabis consumption, although he expects that the law will stand up in court.

CBD cannabis leaf plant

CBD Dosing Not Associated With Changes In Disease Progression

Written by Frank Schuler on . Posted in Science.

The research surrounding cannabidiol (CBD) and other cannabinoids is still largely in its infancy, and scientists are unlocking new knowledge about cannabis nearly every week, particularly knowledge involving CBD-based research.

A recent example of that can be found in Australia where researchers examined the use of CBD among patients with advanced-stage cancer. For better or worse, the use of CBD does not appear to make changes in the disease’s progress. Below is more information about it via a news release from NORML:

Queensland, Australia: The use of CBD among patients with advanced-stage cancer is not associated with changes in either disease progress or survival, according to data published in the journal BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care.

Australian researchers compared outcomes of CBD versus placebo in a cohort of cancer patients. Study participants consumed either CBD (up to a maximum of 600 mg per day) or placebo daily for nearly three months.

No changes in either disease progression or survival were identified between the two groups.

The study’s authors concluded: “No significant difference was noted in disease progression or survival in patients with advanced cancer receiving CBD oil versus placebo in the context of this clinical trial. … Given the effect cannabinoids appear to have on cancer cell growth in vitro, it is not impossible to consider an anticancer role for these compounds, though we saw no specific benefit on disease progression with CBD prescription, or indeed survival.”

While numerous preclinical studies and a limited number of case reports have documented anti-cancer effects associated with cannabinoids, including THC and CBD, these effects have not been replicated in controlled human studies.

Full text of the study, “Cannabidiol oil or placebo in advanced cancer-disease progression and survival: A secondary analysis,” appears in BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care. Additional information on cannabis and cancer is available from NORML’s publication, Clinical Applications for Cannabis & Cannabinoids.

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Key Committee Approves German Legalization Measure Ahead Of Friday Vote

Written by Johnny Green on . Posted in Policy.

Going into this week, the eyes of the global cannabis community were fixed on Germany, where members of the Bundestag are expected to finally vote on a long-awaited adult-use cannabis legalization measure. While the final vote is still expected to occur on Friday, a key smaller vote occurred today, and the outcome was favorable.

Members of the Health Committee approved the measure, which in its most current form, would legalize cannabis cultivation, possession, and consumption by adults. Cannabis will be removed from Germany’s Narcotics List as part of the measure, and noncommercial cannabis clubs will be permitted to operate.

The measure now moves to a floor vote in the Bundestag:

If/when members of the Bundestag approve the measure on Friday, it will have to go back to the Bundesrat for further consideration. The Bundesrat does not have to approve the measure, however, it can refer the measure to a mediation committee that may slow down implementation. The Bundesrat previously approved a former version of the legalization measure back in October.

According to original reporting by Marijuana Moment, Minister Lauterbach could have struck a deal to avoid a referral to a mediation committee in exchange for extending the law’s implementation timeline, however, Minster Lauterbach has made it clear that he feels the measure will survive any legal challenges. Per RND:

Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) expects constitutional challenges against the planned legalization of cannabis consumption. Although he expects lawsuits, the law will stand up in court, he told the Düsseldorf “Rheinische Post”.

It is a truly historic week in Germany, and assuming the Bundestag approves the measure in a vote on Friday, cannabis would become legal for adults in Germany on April 1st of this year.

Vancouver British Columbia Vancouver British Columbia

Smoking And Vaping Cannabis On Public Patios Now Permitted In British Columbia

Written by Hazel Norman on . Posted in Policy.

Cannabis stigma is still an issue in Canada, even five years after the country passed a national adult-use cannabis legalization measure in 2018. Cannabis consumers do not experience some of the same freedoms as consumers of alcohol or tobacco do in many jurisdictions.

An example of that can be found in policies about public cannabis use. Tobacco consumption may not be as widespread as it once was in Canada, however, many tobacco consumers are not as limited in where they can partake compared to cannabis consumption.

Thankfully, that is changing in British Columbia where new rules now permit adults to smoke and vape cannabis on public patios.

“Smoking and vaping cannabis on public patios is now permitted where smoking and vaping tobacco are already allowed, subject to local or Indigenous government bylaws and other rules.” British Columbia’s government stated in a recently published bulletin.

That may not seem like a big change to non-cannabis consumers, yet, it’s presumably a significant policy shift in the minds of many cannabis consumers in British Columbia who have had to either hide their cannabis use in many places or consume knowing that they are risking being penalized. The bulletin also contained policy changes for businesses.

“To support the legal cannabis industry in the province, the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB) is making gradual changes to improve hospitality and tourism opportunities for the cannabis industry.” the bulletin stated.

“With changes to the Cannabis Control Regulation, licensees are able to promote a place to consume cannabis or to spend time after consuming cannabis.” the bulletin also stated.

Cannabis consumption remains prohibited within cannabis stores in British Columbia, and licensees must ensure that any cannabis consumption near their store is not within their establishment where cannabis products are sold.

Social cannabis use is the next horizon for many cannabis advocates in North America, where cannabis clubs and lounges are still prohibited in many jurisdictions that permit other cannabis activity.

Europe’s cannabis policies will seemingly embrace cannabis clubs, with clubs serving as a major component of legalization models in Germany and Malta. Malta has already issued licenses to noncommercial cannabis clubs.

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Spain’s Ministry Of Health Begins Process Of Enacting Medical Cannabis Regulations

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

Spain’s Ministry of Health has started the process of developing a Royal Decree through which it plans to approve the regulation of cannabis for medicinal use. Before a Royal Decree is officially issued, the public will be allowed to provide input, with Spain’s government having set up an email address dedicated to receiving such input (normativa.aemps@aemps.es).

The government in Spain is seeking to finalize a “rigorous measure” that is “based on the best scientific evidence available.” Such a measure will reportedly include periodic evaluations to examine the effectiveness of Spain’s eventual medical cannabis regulations.

“The Ministry addresses this regulation based on the conclusions of the Subcommittee of the Congress of Deputies for the analysis of experiences with the regulation of cannabis for medicinal use, which called on the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products to prepare a roadmap to approve the regulation.” Spain’s government stated in a press release (translated from Spanish to English).

Spain’s Secretary of State for Health, Javier Padilla, recently met with the European Observatory of Cannabis Consumption and Cultivation, as well as with industry associations and members of the scientific community. Secretary Padilla is also expected to meet soon with the Spanish Observatory of Medicinal Cannabis.

A recent meeting at Spain’s Ministry of Health was attended by representatives of the General Council of Medical Colleges and the General Council of Official Colleges of Pharmacists in addition to the Spanish Society of Palliative Care, the Spanish Society of Pain, the Spanish Society of Epilepsy, the Spanish Society of Studies on Alcohol, the Spanish Society of Hospital Pharmacy, the Spanish Society of Primary Care Pharmacists, the Spanish Society of Hematology and Hemotherapy, the Spanish Society of Primary Care Physicians, the Spanish Society of Family and Community Medicine, the Spanish Society of General and Family Physicians, the Spanish Multidisciplinary Pain Society, the Spanish Society of Neurology, Society Society of Pulmonology and Thoracic Surgery, Spanish Society of Medical Oncology, Spanish Society of Dual Pathology, SED-ESOM Working Group, Spanish Society of Psychiatry and Mental Health, and the Spanish Society of Rheumatology.

“The proposed regulation guarantees the quality of the products and the safety of patients, enabling the legal avenues available to have therapeutic compounds based on standardized cannabis preparations that have shown evidence in relieving pain and the suffering of patients, considering the oral administration of these compounds as it is the most appropriate in terms of therapeutic effectiveness and safety for patients.” the government’s press release stated.

“This regulation is designed to evolve dynamically, allowing new elements to be incorporated as more information and the experience of the therapeutic cannabis program becomes available. In addition, it will contribute to generating more and better evidence on the use of cannabinoids for therapeutic purposes.” Spain’s government also stated.

What is currently being proposed by Spain’s government is a national medical cannabis program that is being described as being similar to what is currently in place in European nations like Portugal, the United Kingdom, and Norway. Those nations’ medical cannabis regulations are much more limited compared to what is in place in Germany, and much more restrictive compared to what is found in many parts of North America.

Spain’s government resumed its push to pass medical cannabis regulations starting last month after previous efforts experienced numerous setbacks in recent years.

An eventual medical cannabis regulation measure in Spain is not expected to include cannabis clubs, which operate in many parts of Spain and are very popular among suffering patients. Cannabis clubs operate in a grey area of Spain’s law and serve as the primary source of medical cannabis for many Spanish patients.

Barcelona’s government is actively trying to shut down the hundreds of cannabis clubs that operate within the Barcelona area. Spain’s cannabis industry is estimated to be worth 238.5 million euros in 2024 according to an analysis by Euromonitor International. Euromonitor estimates that Spain’s medical cannabis market alone is worth an estimated 27.3 million euros as of this year. Those figures are estimated to rise in 2025 to 358.4 million euros and 107.6 million euros, respectively.

The announcement of the launch for public input regarding medical cannabis regulations in Spain comes less than a month before the world’s largest cannabis gathering takes place in Barcelona. The International Cannabis Business Conference (March 14th) is once again teaming up with Spannabis (March 15-17) to put on the world’s largest cannabis superconference.

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Health Canada: Cannabis Samples Are Permitted

Written by Hazel Norman on . Posted in Business.

In nearly every industry built on consumables, from the food industry to pharmaceuticals, product samples play a vital role. After all, the saying, ‘the proof is in the pudding’ is predicated on the premise that someone is actually trying out the metaphorical pudding to determine if it is the real deal.

Product samples are particularly important in the emerging cannabis industry given the fact that cannabis flower can vary widely in quality, effectiveness, and other desirable traits such as smell and flavor. There are many varieties of cannabis, and even the same grower cultivating the same cultivar can yield differing results due to a multitude of environmental factors.

Matters get even more complex for cannabis products that are derived from cannabis flower. In addition to the intricacies of the cannabis crop itself, adding the extra layers of extracting techniques that produce concentrates from flower, or infusing cannabis into edibles, drinkables, and topicals, complicates knowing what the final product may be like.

Trying product samples is the only way for retailers and their employees to know what a cannabis product is truly like, and there seems to be some confusion in Canada about whether or not cannabis producers can provide samples to licensed retailers and their employees. That confusion was cleared up recently via original reporting by StratCann. Per excerpts from their reporting:

In an email to StratCann, a representative of Health Canada affirms that federally licensed cannabis producers are “not prohibited from providing a sample of cannabis to a provincially or territorially authorized retailer (or their employees).”

“Employees of a provincially or territorially authorized retailer are not prohibited from possessing, distributing, or selling cannabis, provided they do so as part of their employment duties and functions, and in a manner that is consistent with the conditions that apply to their employers’ authorizations. In other words, it’s up to PTs [Provinces and Territories] to regulate whether and how employees of retail stores can possess, distribute (and potentially consume) free samples in the context of their employment duties and functions. Each province or territory could have additional legislation that relates to this type of activity.”

StratCann followed up with four individual provinces to confirm that they expressly permit product samples at the local level. Those provinces are British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Ontario.

Of the four provinces, Saskatchewan and Ontario have permitted product samples to retailers and their employees since the start of adult-use legalization in late 2018. British Columbia and Alberta started expressly permitting such activity last year. Health Canada also lists the following information regarding product samples:

Free samples of products or accessories

A person that sells cannabis or cannabis accessories cannot provide or offer to provide cannabis or a cannabis accessory without consideration or in consideration of a purchase.

For example, a free accessory for the purchase of cannabis or cannabis as bonus with any purchase. This can include:

“Free 1g pre-roll samples”
“Free rolling papers with purchase of cannabis Product X”
“Buy one and get one free”
A nominal amount of monetary consideration may be considered an inducement and non-compliant with Subsection 24(1)(a) of the Cannabis Act.

Exemption: Intra-industry samples

Licence holders that provide samples to a person authorized to sell cannabis, such as a provincially or territorially authorized retailer, are exempt from this prohibition. However, the retailer may not provide samples to consumers. Cannabis samples must comply with the other applicable rules in the Cannabis Act and Cannabis Regulations, including those on packaging and labelling, and good production practices.

Each province or territory may have additional legislation that could apply to this type of activity so regulated parties should be familiar with all relevant legislation and consult with provinces and territories as applicable.

For more information, refer to subsection 24(2) of the Cannabis Act or 24(3) as it pertains to cannabis accessories.

German Health Minister Karl Lauterbach

German Health Minister Defends Cannabis Legalization Measure

Written by Hazel Norman on . Posted in Policy.

Germany’s Health Minister Karl Lauterbach recently appeared on the Markus Lanz talk show to discuss the looming adult-use cannabis legalization measure vote in the Bundestag, as well as the benefits of the measure.

“Those who are already consuming are no longer dependent on the black market, on the dealers, on crime, on the additives. That means we recognize that cannabis is consumed in society.” Minister Lauterbach states in the discussion (translated from German to English).

Initial components of Germany’s legalization plan are expected to come into effect on April 1st. Adults in Germany will be able to legally cultivate, possess, and consume cannabis. Below is the full episode of Minister Lauterback on the Markus Lanz talk show. Please be aware that the discussion is in German.