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Push For Legalization Continues In Costa Rica

Written by Hazel Norman on . Posted in Policy.

Multiple countries on different continents are making meaningful pushes to modernize their cannabis policies in ways that would permit adults to cultivate, consume, and/or sell cannabis for recreational purposes.

One of those countries is Costa Rica, where lawmakers are divided over a recent effort to pass an adult-use cannabis legalization measure. This month the nation’s president once again called for adult-use cannabis legalization, and the call was received with mixed reactions. Per excerpts from Tico Times:

Several deputies across parties echoed Chaves’ perspective. Manuel Morales, President of the Environment Commission that oversees the stalled legalization bill, agrees the goal is regulating existing demand rather than promoting more usage.

However, some legislators remain fiercely opposed, especially from the opposition National Liberation Party (PLN). Deputy Dinorah Barquero alleged the bill lacks sufficient study of potential public health impacts from increased cannabis use. Meanwhile, fellow PLN member Gilbert Jiménez labeled Chaves’ legalization push as “inopportune” given the scale of Costa Rica’s security challenges with homicides and criminal groups.

Costa Rica’s Executive Branch previously introduced a cannabis legalization measure that would be later voted down by the nation’s Permanent Special Environment Commission in a 5-3 vote back in August. A major focus of the measure was to boost the nation’s tourism industry and to make Costa Rica a top global cannabis tourism destination.

In President Chaves’ recent call to renew the push to legalize cannabis for adult use in his country, he placed a heavy emphasis on modernizing the nation’s policies to help combat drug cartels and organized crime.

Costa Rica is reportedly experiencing an interesting phenomenon, with cannabis allegedly being smuggled into the country at an increasing rate. If so, Costa Rica would be wise to follow in Canada’s footsteps. Canada legalized cannabis in 2018 and consumers have largely transitioned their purchases to the regulated industry instead of buying from unregulated sources.

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Most Surveyed Swiss Psychiatrists Favor Regulating Cannabis

Written by Frank Schuler on . Posted in Policy.

According to a team of researchers associated with the University of Bern in Switzerland, medical cannabis is “a growing issue” in psychiatry, with more patients asking about it now that cannabis policies are being modernized in Switzerland and beyond.

The researchers note that Switzerland amended its laws in 2021 to permit adult-use cannabis commerce pilot programs to be conducted at the municipal level and that there is a rising need to examine attitudes towards cannabis, including within the mental health professional community. The researchers surveyed psychiatrists in Switzerland in a recent study.

“From December 2021 to February 2022, we conducted an online survey of psychiatrists in Switzerland. The survey comprised questions on attitudes towards regulative models for CNMU and towards prescribing CMU for mental disorders.” the researchers stated about their survey methodology.

“We contacted 2010 psychiatrists in Switzerland. A total of 274 (14%) participated in the survey.” the researchers also stated.

“Sixty-four percent agreed to a regulated legalization of CNMU, and 89% would welcome pilot trials in Switzerland assessing models for regulating CNMU with those from a French-speaking region being more skeptical.” the researchers stated about their findings.

Forty-nine percent of psychiatrists agree that CMU might have a therapeutic effect in mental disorders, but 50% agree that there is not enough scientific evidence yet. Participants working in an inpatient setting or in a French-speaking region as well as those with a longer duration of practice were more skeptical on CMU for mental health.” the researchers also stated about their study’s findings.

“Most surveyed Swiss psychiatrists favor the regulation of CNMU and the conduct of pilot trials. Despite little evidence and potential negative consequences, many participating Swiss psychiatrists agreed that cannabis could be efficacious in the treatment of some mental disorders advocating for more research in this topic.” the researchers concluded.

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UK Researchers Examine Cannabis Use And ADHD

Written by Frank Schuler on . Posted in Science.

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders that people are diagnosed with. Diagnosis typically happens in adolescence, with the condition often continuing into adulthood.

According to a study conducted in 2021, “the prevalence of persistent adult ADHD was 2.58% and that of symptomatic adult ADHD was 6.76%, translating to 139.84 million and 366.33 million affected adults in 2020 globally.”

A team of researchers in the United Kingdom associated with various academic institutions recently examined the relationship between human cannabis consumption and the quality of life among ADHD patients.

“This study aims to analyze the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and safety outcomes in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) patients treated with cannabis-based medicinal products (CBMPs).” the researchers stated about the intent of the study.

“Patients were identified from the UK Medical Cannabis Registry. Primary outcomes were changes in the following patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months from baseline: EQ-5D-5L index value, generalized anxiety disorder-7 (GAD-7) questionnaire, and the single-item sleep quality score (SQS). Secondary outcomes assessed the incidence of adverse events. Statistical significance was defined as p < 0.050.” the researchers stated about their methodology.

The United Kingdom has a more restrictive medical cannabis program compared to many other countries, and that is important to keep in mind for any study involving the UK Medical Cannabis Registry.

“Significant improvements were identified in general HRQoL assessed by EQ-5D-5L index value at 1, 3, and 6 months (p < 0.050). Improvements were also identified in GAD-7 and SQS scores at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months (p < 0.010). 61 (89.71%) adverse events were recorded by 11 (16.18%) participants, of which most were moderate (n = 26, 38.24%).” the researchers stated about the results of the study.

“An association between CBMP treatment and improvements in anxiety, sleep quality, and general HRQoL was observed in patients with ADHD. Treatment was well tolerated at 12 months.” the researchers concluded.

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German Commissioner Visits The Netherlands To Learn About Cannabis Trials

Written by Hazel Norman on . Posted in Policy.

The European continent is home to a handful of interesting local cannabis public policy experiments often referred to as cannabis pilot trials or programs. The trials are designed, in theory, to collect consumer and commerce data at a local level to help national policymakers when they are crafting broader laws, rules, and regulations.

Switzerland has trials already in operation in multiple cities, each with its limits on the number of participants that can take part in the public policy experiment. The trials in Switzerland range in size from hundreds of consumers up to thousands, with each consumer being able to make legal purchases from regulated outlets that are also participating in the programs.

The adult-use legalization measure being considered in Germany also incorporates the concept of local cannabis commerce trials. Germany’s Commissioner for Addiction and Drug Issues Burkhard Blienert traveled to The Netherlands recently to discuss the concept:

Cannabis trials are not a part of adult-use legalization models in the Western Hemisphere. In both Uruguay and Canada, the first two nations to pass national adult-use legalization measures, cannabis sales are permitted nationwide. It is worth noting that Uruguay limits legal purchases to residents only.

The only other two nations to pass adult-use legalization measures at a national level are Malta and Luxembourg, and in the case of Luxembourg, the nation’s legalization model is very restrictive. Sales of any kind are still prohibited in Luxembourg.

In Malta, personal cultivation, possession, and consumption are all legal for adults, as well as permitted purchases via the nation’s growing list of noncommercial cannabis clubs. Malta has no current plans to expand its legalization model.

Germany, on the other hand, does have expressed plans to launch cannabis trials eventually, and when that happens the size and scope of the cannabis trials will likely be much larger than what is currently found elsewhere on the European continent, albeit on a timeline that is still unclear.

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Cannabis Use Before Bedtime Associated With Improved Sleep Quality

Written by Frank Schuler on . Posted in Science.

Insomnia is a major health issue around the globe. Whether people suffer from insomnia as a primary condition, or it is a side effect caused by a different condition or medication, an inability to fall asleep and/or stay asleep can have a significantly negative impact on a patient’s overall health, both physically and mentally.

When a suffering patient is deprived of proper sleep, they can become more irritable, and completing routine activities can become more difficult. Insomnia impairs brain functions such as memory and decision-making, and it can also cause depression. Physically, insomnia can impair a person’s immune system, in addition to other concerns.

The cannabis plant has served as a sleep aid for many insomnia sufferers over many years, and that appears to be the case in Israel according to the results of a recent study. Below is more information about it via a news release from NORML:

Haifa, Israel: Cannabis use prior to bedtime is associated with improved sleep quality, according to data published in the journal Drug and Alcohol Review.

Israeli investigators assessed the relationship between cannabis and self-reported sleep quality in a cohort of 347 subjects who reported suffering from anxiety. Subjects reported their quality of sleep each morning for 30 days.

Researchers reported: “Cannabis use [was] … linked to higher perceived sleep quality versus non-use. … These findings add to the emerging evidence of cannabis’s sleep-enhancing properties.”

The survey’s findings are consistent with those of others concluding that consumers  frequently use  cannabis to mitigate sleep disorders, including insomnia, and that moderate doses of cannabis improve sleep quality. Data published in the journal Complementary Therapies in Medicine previously reported that the enactment of adult-use marijuana legalization laws is associated with a significant reduction in the sales of over-the-counter sleep aids among the general public.

Full text of the study, “Daily diary study of associations between alcohol, cannabis, co-use and sleep quality in individuals with intentions to use cannabis to cope with anxiety,” appears in Drug and Alcohol Review.Additional information on the use of cannabis for insomnia is available from NORML’s publication, Clinical Applications for Cannabis and Cannabinoids.

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Medical Cannabis Access Continues To Be Hindered In Greece

Written by Hazel Norman on . Posted in Policy.

A Member of the European Parliament from Greece is urging the European Commission (EC) to adopt legislation that would bring some long-needed uniformity to medical cannabis access on the continent. Greek MEP Stelios Kouloglou recently appealed to the EC.

It is not the first time that MEP Kouloglou has sought clarity on this subject. Back in January 2022, MEP Kouloglou submitted a “Question for written answer” to the European Parliament which included the following language:

Many Member States have now legalised the medical use of cannabis and the circulation of EMA-approved and other prescription drugs. At the same time, the EP has adopted a resolution highlighting their therapeutic effects, possibly even in the case of COVID-19.

Since 2017, the cultivation of medicinal cannabis and the licensing and manufacture of finished products with a TCH (sic) content exceeding 2% have all been officially regulated in Greece.

On 2 December 2021, the Government banned the import of medical cannabis products in their final state for domestic consumption, making it impossible for Greek patients to obtain such products with a tetrahydrocannabinol content exceeding 2%, since they have not been licensed for domestic production and few companies will meet the necessary conditions any time soon. As a result, patients are resorting to illegally distributed preparations from unreliable sources.

In view of this:

1. Will the Commission seek to establish whether the principles of fair competition, which is essential for the free movement of goods, and the provisions of the European Medicines Regulatory System are being infringed?
2. How can it help Greek patients gain legal access to the treatment they need?

Earlier this month MEP Kouloglou submitted another question, the language of which is below:

The use of cannabis for medical purposes is accepted worldwide. The WHO recommends the use of prescriptions for a wide range of conditions, while the European Parliament has called on European and national authorities to address regulatory barriers, provide funding for research and innovation and inform healthcare professionals.

Greece legalised medical cannabis in 2017, allowing its cultivation and the production of cannabis products containing more than 0.3% THC. However, patients do not have access to these medical products and the little national investment in medical cannabis that exists, is slow.

In November 2021, the Greek Government banned the import of medical cannabis products, violating Article 28 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union and creating a market situation in which supply was controlled by a few who influenced prices, leading to unfair competition. As a result, for the past two years patients have been forced to turn to the black market to get treatment for a range of conditions.

In view of this:

1. How does the Commission plan to address the shortage in medicines for patients, caused by national measures that violate the fundamental principle of the free movement of goods and create a breeding ground for unfair competition within the Single Market?
2. Does it plan to introduce an EU legal framework that comprehensively regulates the issue as a whole, preventing the existence of a black market, regulating quality and labelling accuracy and ensuring legal and safe access to cannabis products for medical purposes?

MEP Kouloglou’s questions are all valid, as Greece is not the only country in Europe struggling to navigate a patchwork of laws, rules, and regulations, with many of them seeming to conflict with each other at times.

If Europe’s cannabis industry is ever going to reach its full potential, both at the individual nation level as well as the continental level, there needs to be sensible uniformity to some degree. Suffering patients across Europe, including in Greece, are depending on it.

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Argentinian Cannabis Veterinarians Surveyed About Phytocannabinoid Use

Written by Frank Schuler on . Posted in Policy.

When most people think about cannabis consumption, they tend to think of humans, and rightfully so. After all, humans have a very long history with the cannabis plant. However, humans are not the only creatures on Earth that have endocannabinoid systems.

Two creatures that possess endocannabinoid systems are cats and dogs. Feasibly, just as phytocannabinoids can provide wellness benefits to humans, so too can they do the same for cats and dogs. That theory was at the heart of a recent study in Argentina.

Cannabis research parameters were expanded in Argentina in recent years via “laws 27350 and 27669” as the researchers point out, and that “animals respond to preparations containing phytocannabinoids for treating several conditions.”

“We conducted a web-based survey of Argentinian Cannabis Veterinarians to make a situational diagnosis on the number of veterinary medicine professionals currently developing treatments with cannabinoids focusing on dogs and cats.” the researchers stated about their methodology in the study.

It is estimated that there are as many as 900 million dogs globally, with more than 471 million of them being pets. Germany alone has an estimated 10.3 million pet dogs. It is also estimated that the world has between 600 million and 1 billion cats.

“Among the species treated, 77% corresponded to dogs, while 21% were cats. Pain, seizures, and behavior disorders are the most prevalent conditions in dogs. Seven conditions and combinations were treated in cats. Full-spectrum cannabis extract derived from three different chemotypes was administered alone or with standard medication.” the researchers in Argentina stated regarding the results of their recent study.

“Response to cannabis treatment was characterized based on improvement categorized according to clinical assessment. Both dogs and cats showed different improvement grades in clinical signs.” they also stated.

“This analysis provides promising results regarding the medicinal use of cannabis in dogs and cats. Based on this analysis, we propose to expand the training of professionals, obtain quality preparations, and initiate controlled trials to reinforce knowledge of the use of cannabinoids in veterinary medicine.” the researchers concluded.

Cannabis and animal science is an emerging field of study. With many historical restrictions to research being lifted in various parts of the world, interest and focus on this area will likely increase. The global pet industry is projected to be worth $500 billion by 2030.

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Another Missed Opportunity In Germany

Written by Johnny Green on . Posted in Policy.

The biggest asset that cannabis opponents have where cannabis is prohibited is the ongoing benefit of the status quo. The most recent and prominent example of that can be found in Germany, where lawmakers have officially failed to pass a much-needed and long-awaited adult-use legalization measure.

After multiple delays, Dirk Heidenblut, a key member of the Social Democratic Party (SPD), announced on social media that the Bundestag will not be voting on an adult-use legalization measure (CanG) this year. According to domestic reporting, the SPD parliamentary group is to blame for the short-term veto on the vote.

“It also remains unclear whether the SPD parliamentary group leadership has a problem with the content of the law or whether the timing of its adoption just before Christmas seems inappropriate to them in times of budget crisis. And the SPD press spokeswoman’s “confidence” or not: it doesn’t seem impossible that the law might even be stopped completely “on the home stretch.” stated Legal Tribune Online in its reporting.

Last week it was reported that members of the governing coalition reached an agreement to update certain provisions of the measure. Bundestag member Kirsten Kappert-Gonther detailed the changes in a social media post at the time:

Translated from German to English, Kirsten Kappert-Gonther stated at the time, “The #Cannabis law is coming! Finally: Finally we end this failed ban policy! After intensive negotiations, there is now a law that focuses on youth and #Gesundheitsschutz, which has ended #Kriminalisierung and is practicable.”

The social media thread went on to state, “I am very pleased about the changes achieved in the parliamentary procedure: Reduction of consumption bans to 100M; Allowed amount for home cultivation: 50 g of dried cannabis; Change to the driving license regulation with an appropriate limit through @BMDV by spring 2024. No gaps between cannabis clubs; No criminal penalties (only administrative offenses) with small amounts of 25-30 G in public and 50-60 G in private spaces. Easier #Cannabis cultivation to med. purposes. These changes made now make the law even better!”

“Communal consumption in cannabis clubs and edibles is not (yet) implemented. But what we were able to agree on together is a big step forward. Thank you to everyone who has campaigned for this law for decades! Next step: Decision in #Bundestag and then continue working together on Pillar 2.” Kirsten Kappert-Gonther also stated in the thread.

Cannabis advocates inside and outside of Germany are hopeful that a vote will occur as early as possible in 2024 and that the measure is truly in the “home stretch.” One thing is for sure – 2023 did not go as planned for cannabis policy modernization efforts in Germany. Hopefully next year proves to be the year that legalization finally gets over the finish line in one of the planet’s most influential nations.

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Japan Lifts Ban On Cannabis-Derived Medications

Written by Hazel Norman on . Posted in Policy.

Japan’s parliament approved a reform measure on Wednesday that legalizes cannabis-derived medical products. The newly approved public policy measure also imposes stiff penalties for the use of non-approved cannabis products.

Last month lawmakers in the lower chamber of Japan’s parliament approved the measure, which seeks to permit the importation, prescription, and use of products like Epidiolex. Epidiolex is a cannabis-derived medical cannabis product that is currently available in pharmacies in several countries.

The medication is prescribed to treat severe cases of epilepsy. Many patients around the world report taking the medicine and experiencing significant relief. A study conducted in 2019 found that “6.9 per 1000 individuals have epilepsy in the general Japanese population, and that the prevalence of epilepsy increases with age, probably because of elderly onset cerebrovascular diseases.”

Lawmakers in the upper chamber of Japan’s parliament, the House of Councillors, approved the measure today. The other major component of the measure was explicitly codifying the prohibition of the use of non-approved cannabis products.

Once the measure goes into effect, someone caught consuming illegal cannabis products of any kind will face a penalty of up to seven years in prison. Possession of non-industrial hemp cannabis is already prohibited in Japan, and it is unclear how the new consumption law will be enforced.

A somewhat comparator law can be found in the United States in the State of Idaho, where “public intoxication” from cannabis is prohibited and punished by up to six months imprisonment and/or a $1,000 fine.

The way the law is enforced in that jurisdiction is based on ‘reasonable suspicion’ by the officer, meaning that if an officer has a ‘reasonable suspicion’ that someone has consumed cannabis and is now out in public, they can have them tested, even if it is determined that no actual cannabis was being possessed at the time of the interaction.

It’s a subjective standard that many cannabis advocates around the world try to prevent from being implemented, with advocates pointing out that subjective enforcement is nearly impossible to prevent when such a policy is in place.

The harsher consumer law in Japan is coming after concerns were expressed by lawmakers regarding a ‘spike’ in consumption rates in Japan and a rising rate of arrest for people caught possessing cannabis, particularly young adults.

In the most recent year for which data is available, Japan experienced a 21.5% increase in measured cannabis consumption compared to the previous year. While that may sound alarming to some lawmakers inside and outside of Japan, consider the fact that less than 2% of people in Japan report having consumed cannabis during their entire lives.

By comparison, 41.5% in Canada report having consumed cannabis during their lifetime, and 44.2% in the United States. The double-digit increase in the consumption rate in Japan is more indicative of how low the overall baseline consumption rate was to begin with than it is indicative of a cannabis use epidemic.