Science – Page 11 – International Cannabis Business Conference

Topical Hemp Seed Oil Reduces Osteoarthritic Knee Pain In Iranian Clinical Trial

Written by Frank Schuler on September 25, 2024. Posted in Science.

According to the results of a peer-reviewed analysis published in October 2023, an estimated 654 million people worldwide suffer from osteoarthritis knee pain, with 5% of all primary care visits in adults being related to knee pain.

The condition can develop for various reasons, with sports-related injuries being a very common contributing factor. Treating the condition typically involves the use of pharmaceutical painkillers, and in some cases, surgery.

A team of researchers in Iran recently conducted a clinical trial involving osteoarthritis knee pain patients and the topical application of hemp seed oil, with the results of the trial indicating that the therapy was effective. Below is more information about the clinical trial and its results via a news release from NORML:

Rafsanjan, Iran: The daily topical application of hemp seed oil improves osteoarthritic knee pain, according to placebo-controlled clinical trial data published in the journal Pain Management Nursing.

Iranian investigators assessed the efficacy of cold-pressed hemp seed oil versus either placebo or the NSAID diclofenac (aka Voltaren) in 90 patients with osteoarthritic knee pain and stiffness. Patients enrolled in the trial were between the ages of 45 and 70 years old. Study participants were assessed at baseline and again at four weeks and at eight weeks.

Researchers reported that the topical application of hemp seed oil provided therapeutic effects similar to those of diclofenac and superior to those of the placebo. Investigators reported that the oil was “safe and well tolerated.”

The study’s authors concluded: “This randomized controlled trial found that the daily application of topical hemp seed oil improved knee pain, physical function, and perceived knee stiffness. … Topical herbal compounds may have a role in the treatment of painful chronic conditions, such as knee OA [osteoarthritis], to reduce the systemic adverse effects of oral drugs.”

Full text of the study, “Effect of topical hemp (cannabis sativa) seed oil on knee osteoarthritis: A randomized double-blind controlled trial,” appears in Pain Management Nursing.

Colombia’s Cannabis Contains ‘Uncommon Terpenes’ According To Study

Written by Frank Schuler on September 17, 2024. Posted in Science.

Colombia’s emerging legal cannabis industry is growing with every passing year, and according to a recent study, the nation’s climate and environment could give the cannabis produced there an edge over other parts of the world.

A team of researchers based in Colombia, Germany, and the United States recently examined terpenes in cannabis cultivated in Colombia. Terpenes are aromatic compounds that determine the smell of many plants and herbs, including cannabis.

“This study aimed to characterize and assess the phytochemical diversity of C. sativa chemotypes in diverse ecological regions of Colombia, South America.” The researchers stated the objective of their research.

“Ten cannabinoids and 23 terpenes were measured using liquid and gas chromatography, in addition to other phenotypic traits, in 156 C. sativa plants that were grown in diverse ecological regions in Colombia, a hotspot for global biodiversity.” the researchers stated about the study’s methodology.

“Our results reveal significant phytochemical diversity in Colombian-grown C. sativa plants, with four distinct chemotypes based on cannabinoid profile.” the researchers stated in their findings. “The significant amount of usually uncommon terpenes suggests that Colombia’s environments may have unique capabilities that allow the plant to express these compounds. Colombia’s diverse climates offer enormous cultivation potential, making it a key player in both domestic and international medicinal and recreational C. sativa trade.”

“These findings underscore Colombia’s capacity to pioneer global C. sativa production diversification, particularly in South America with new emerging markets.” the researchers concluded.

According to ProColombia, a government agency in charge of promoting nontraditional Colombian trade, the value of medical cannabis exports from Colombia was $10.8 million in 2023, which was an 11.3% increase over 2022, and a 96% increase from 2021.

Per Statista, Colombia’s legal cannabis industry is expected to increase to a value of $64.59 million by the end of this year, and “revenue is anticipated to experience a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR 2024-2029) of 2.09%, leading to a market volume of US$71.64m by 2029.”

Patients With Rheumatic Conditions Report Substituting Cannabis For Prescriptions

Written by Frank Schuler on September 17, 2024. Posted in Science.

Rheumatic diseases affect suffering patients’ joints, tendons, ligaments, bones, and muscles. Common rheumatic conditions include (but are not limited to) osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, gout, infectious arthritis, and polymyalgia rheumatica.

Genetics plays a major role in the potential development of rheumatic conditions. Obesity increases the probability of an individual developing a rheumatic condition. Common treatments for rheumatic diseases include medications, regular exercise, a healthy diet, stress management, and rest. Over 18 million people suffer globally from rheumatic arthritis alone.

A team of researchers in Canada recently conducted a survey and determined that a large number of patients with rheumatic conditions report replacing pharmaceutical prescriptions with cannabis therapies. Below is more information about it via a news release from NORML:

Montreal, Canada: Patients with neuropathy, fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, and other rheumatic conditions frequently substitute cannabis in place of prescription medications, according to survey data published in the journal Open Neurology.

Researchers affiliated with McGill University in Montreal and the University of Michigan surveyed 763 US and Canadian patients with rheumatic conditions.

Consistent with other studies, 63 percent of respondents reported substituting cannabis products for other medications, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (55 percent), opioids (49 percent), sleep aids (30 percent), and muscle relaxants (25 percent). Following substitution, most participants reported decreases or cessation in their medication use. Respondents typically reported turning to cannabis because it offered “better symptom management” and was associated with “fewer adverse effects.”

Those who substituted medical cannabis in place of other medications reported greater improvements in pain, sleep, joint stiffness, muscle spasm, inflammation, and global health.

“The acceptance of MC [medical cannabis] as a treatment strategy for rheumatic conditions is evolving,” the study’s authors concluded. “These encouraging results of medication reduction and favorable effect of MC require confirmation with more rigorous methods. … Comparative effective clinical trials of MC versus other pain treatments are needed, as are more prospective studies investigating the effects of MC on the use of medications and other substances in rheumatic populations.”

Full text of the study, “Substituting medical cannabis for medications among patients with rheumatic conditions in the United States and Canada,” appears in Open Neurology. Additional information is available in NORML’s publication, Clinical Applications for Cannabis & Cannabinoids.

CBD Increases Psychotropic Effects Of THC According To New Study

Written by Frank Schuler on September 10, 2024. Posted in Science.

The cannabis plant contains a number of different cannabinoids, with the two most well-known cannabinoids being tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). A growing number of medical and adult-use cannabis products contain both cannabinoids, leading to new questions about how THC and CBD interact with each other.

A team of researchers based in the Netherlands and the United States recently conducted a study examining the effects of combined THC and CBD usage. The researchers are affiliated with the Centre for Human Drug Research (Leiden), Verdient Science, Tomori Pharmacology, and the University of Vermont.

The results of the team’s study were published by the American Society for Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics.

“This clinical trial investigated the hypothesis that CBD counteracts the adverse effects of THC and thereby potentially improves the tolerability of cannabis as an analgesic. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, five-way cross-over trial was performed in 37 healthy volunteers. On each visit, a double-placebo, THC 9 mg with placebo CBD, or THC 9 mg with 10, 30, or 450 mg CBD was administered orally. Psychoactive and analgesic effects were quantified using standardized test batteries. Pharmacokinetic sampling was performed. Data were analyzed using mixed-effects model.” the researchers stated.

“Co-administration of 450 mg CBD did not reduce, but instead significantly increased subjective, psychomotor, cognitive, and autonomous effects of THC (e.g., VAS “Feeling High” by 60.5% (95% CI: 12.7%, 128.5%, P < 0.01)), whereas THC effects with 10 and 30 mg CBD were not significantly different from THC alone. CBD did not significantly enhance THC analgesia at any dose level.” the researchers also stated.

“In a future study, we aim to learn more about the potential phenotypical differences between neuropathic pain patients who respond to cannabinoid-induced analgesia vs. patients for whom cannabinoid-based treatments do not work well.” the researchers concluded.

Cannabis is currently legal for adult use in Uruguay, Canada, Malta, Luxembourg, Canada, and South Africa, in addition to being legal at the state level in the United States as well as in the District of Columbia.

CBD Associated With Decreased Daytime Fatigue In Croatian Clinical Trial

Written by Frank Schuler on September 10, 2024. 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.

German Endometriosis Patients Report Quality Of Life Improvements Following Cannabis Use

Written by Frank Schuler on September 10, 2024. 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.

Cognitive Performance Is Unaffected By Nightly CBD Use Per Australian Study

Written by Frank Schuler on September 5, 2024. 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.

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

Written by Johnny Green on September 5, 2024. 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 13^th, 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.

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Analysis: THC Blood Concentrations Are Not Correlated With Impairment

Written by Frank Schuler on September 5, 2024. Posted in Science.

How much THC in a person’s system is too much when it comes to safely operating a motor vehicle? Due to the complexities of human biology, that question is far more difficult to answer than many policymakers would lead the public to believe.

An infrequent user can consume very little cannabis and be significantly impaired, and a frequent consumer can refrain from consumption for multiple days and yet still have a considerable amount of metabolized THC in their system. There is no ‘one size fits all’ THC threshold that automatically equates to impairment.

That fact is demonstrated in a recent analysis conducted by researchers in Norway which found that THC blood concentrations are not correlated with behavioral impairment. Below is more information about the analysis and its findings via a news release from NORML:

Oslo, Norway: The presence of THC in blood is poorly correlated with behavioral impairment, according to data published in the Forensic Science International.

Norwegian researchers assessed the relationship between drug concentrations and impaired psychomotor performance in a cohort of over 15,000 individuals suspected of drugged driving and 3,684 drug-free controls. Driving performance was assessed by participants’ performance on a clinical test of impairment (CTI).

Consistent with prior literature, “The correlation between drug concentration was high for ethanol, … but low for THC.”

Specifically, authors determined, “For THC, the median drug concentrations changed little between drivers assessed as not impaired and impaired.”

They concluded, “The lack of a close relationship between drug concentration of THC and degree of impairment at the individual level is in accordance with several observations from experimental studies [where participants engaged in the] controlled intake of cannabis.”

The authors’ findings are consistent with those of numerous studies reporting that neither the detection of THC nor its metabolites in blood or other bodily fluids is predictive of impaired driving performance. As a result, NORML has long opposed the imposition of per se THC limits for motorists and has alternatively called for the expanded use of mobile performance technology like DRUID.

Full text of the study, “The relationship between clinical impairment and blood drug concentrations: Comparison between the most prevalent traffic relevant drug groups,” appears in Forensic Science International. Additional information is available from the NORML Fact Sheet, ‘Marijuana and Psychomotor Performance.’