Science – Page 17 – International Cannabis Business Conference

International Cannabis Business Conference Exhibitors Berlin Germany 2023

5 Things Attendees Get From International Cannabis Business Conference Events

Written by Johnny Green on January 1, 2024. Posted in Business, Entertainment, Policy, Science.

The International Cannabis Business Conference is hosting multiple events in different European countries in 2024, including the world’s largest super-conference in Barcelona in March and our flagship B2B conference in Berlin in April. Below are five benefits for attendees.

World-Class Networking Opportunities

Networking plays a vital role in every industry, and that is particularly true for the emerging legal cannabis industry. At the international level, networking is paramount to making a meaningful impact and gaining a foothold in the space. Many people who strike deals in this era will reap the rewards for decades to come as the industry continues to expand. Those deals are not struck via email solicitations. Face-to-face time is a must, and there is no better place to do that than at International Cannabis Business Conference events where attendees get to network with leaders from around the world in an environment that is conducive to generating deal flow.

Fun and Entertainment

The International Cannabis Business Conference has long served as the most exciting and entertaining event series on earth. In addition to providing world-class education and networking, the International Cannabis Business Conference has earned a global reputation for hosting the best events where attendees can work hard and play hard. It’s the only cannabis event series to ever feature multiple Grammy-nominated musical acts. International Cannabis Business Conference events are the perfect place to hang out with current friends, as well as to make new ones from all around the world.

Being A Part Of History

The European continent is in the midst of a cannabis policy revolution. The collective policy modernization efforts in multiple countries will, in turn, create an amazing situation for consumers who will be able to experience freedoms that have not been available since the dawn of prohibition. Future generations will look back on this exact era and likely consider it to be the turning point for the cannabis movement in Europe when nations finally got on the right side of history. International Cannabis Business Conference events provide attendees a front-row seat to these historic times, putting them right in the middle of it all.

Brand Exposure

Gaining a meaningful footprint in the cannabis industry at the international level is one of the most difficult endeavors that a company can embark on for several reasons, not the least of which is geographical logistics. The International Cannabis Business Conference is the only global event series with a truly international following and conferences feature a carefully curated experience completely focused on the cannabis industry at the worldwide level. It’s the ideal place for brands debuting products that are geared towards an international market.

Education

Cannabis reform is happening all over the globe right now, and keeping up with all of it is not an easy task, nor is figuring out how each country’s efforts fit into the larger global cannabis industry puzzle. The International Cannabis Business Conference brings true experts from all over the world to provide the best and most up-to-date information to attendees. Receiving that important and timely information straight from people at the forefront of policy reform and the global industry is invaluable.

Can Cannabis Industry Waste Be Used To Make Supercapacitors?

Written by Frank Schuler on January 1, 2024. Posted in Science.

The cannabis plant can be used for a myriad of purposes to benefit humans, and not just in a medical cannabis capacity. Researchers in Argentina recently examined using discarded cannabis material from the legal cannabis industry to see if it can be an effective component for supercapacitors.

Supercapacitors are organized based on their electrode configurations, being classified as either symmetric, asymmetric, or battery-type supercapacitors. A symmetric supercapacitor, which was the type at the heart of the recent study in Argentina, utilizes two similar electrodes.

Researchers conducting the study in Argentina were affiliated with CIFICEN, UNCPBA-CICPBA-CONICET, Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires, and Instituto de Ingeniería Química. Results were published in the Journal of Energy Storage.

“This study proposes valorizing cannabis waste (stems and leaves) by producing and evaluating activated biocarbons as electrode materials for supercapacitors.” the team of investigators stated about their research.

“Cannabis waste were pyrolyzed at 500 °C; then activation conditions were varied from 60 to 180 min; the impregnation ratio was from 1.5 to 4.5 g KOH/g pyrolyzed waste and fixed temperature at 850 °C. Textural properties were evaluated through scanning electron microscopy, infrared spectroscopy, and N2 adsorption/desorption isotherms.” the team of researchers stated about their methodology.

“The electrochemical characterization was done using an alkaline electrolyte in a three and two-electrode configuration. Cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge and discharge measurements, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were performed. Activated biocarbon reached high surface areas over 2500 m2g−1 and adequate porosity development.” researchers also stated.

Cannabis is primarily cultivated for human consumption, either for recreational use or medical use. However, not all parts of the cannabis plant are desirable for those purposes. Stems and leaves often get discarded. If that material can be successfully used to help make supercapacitors, supply would, in theory, be potentially plentiful.

“The best electrochemical performance was obtained at 0.1 Ag−1 achieving 195.83 Fg−1 as specific capacitance, 23.3 KWKg−1, and 54.40 WhKg−1 as power and energy density in the electrode cells. A symmetric solid-state supercapacitor of 2.78 F maximum capacitance at 7.5 mA and 1.2 V potential was developed. These results position activated biocarbon derived from cannabis residues as potential electrode materials in supercapacitors.” the researchers concluded.

This study’s research builds on previous research. According to previous research, batteries made from hemp last up to eight times longer compared to lithium-ion batteries. Scientists are using hemp bast fiber, which is often thrown away historically, to make batteries that can be used for almost anything that currently relies on lithium-ion batteries.

The Top Global Cannabis Stories Of 2023

Written by Johnny Green on December 25, 2023. Posted in Business, Entertainment, Policy, Science.

This year was a big one from a cannabis perspective in terms of science, industry, and politics. Below is a round-up of the top stories from 2023 (in no particular order):

Cannabis History Made In Slovenia

Dr. Metka Paragi, the current Secretary for Health of the Slovenian Prime Minister’s cabinet, presented at the International Cannabis Business Conference in Bled, Slovenia in September. It was the first time in history that an incumbent at that level had ever presented at a global cannabis event.

CanG Introduced In Germany

The biggest story of 2023 was the introduction of Germany’s long-awaited legalization measure. While the measure did not receive full approval by the Bundestag in 2023, the measure’s formal introduction and approval by Germany’s Federal Cabinet was historic, adding to the overall momentum for reform across the European continent.

Raphael Mechoulam Passes Away

The cannabis community lost a legend in 2023 when internationally renowned cannabis scientist, the ‘Godfather of Cannabis Science,’ Professor Raphael Mechoulam passed away in March. Mechoulam is credited with making some of the most significant scientific cannabis-based discoveries in human history.

Japan Votes To Lift Ban On Cannabis-Derived Medications

Both chambers of Japan’s parliament approved a measure in 2023 that lifted the nation’s ban on cannabis-derived medications. The measure is limited in scope, however, it creates a legal path for qualifying patients to obtain medical cannabis products.

Luxembourg Passes National Legalization Measure

In mid-2023 lawmakers in Luxembourg approved a national adult-use legalization measure. The new law permits adults to cultivate up to 4 plants in their homes, as well as legally possess up to three grams of cannabis.

Legalization Moves Forward In South Africa

South Africa’s National Assembly approved an adult-use legalization measure this year. The measure is geared towards codifying a previous court decision from 2018 that struck down cannabis prohibition for individuals, and to boost the nation’s legal industry.

Medical Cannabis Trial Extended In France

The 2,540 suffering patients participating in a medical cannabis trial in France received good news in 2023. The safe access trial that they are participating in will be extended for at least another year.

Historic Measure Introduced In Australia

For the first time in Australia’s history, an adult-use cannabis legalization measure was introduced into the nation’s parliament. Greens Senator David Shoebridge introduced the ‘Legalising Cannabis Bill 2023’ which would permit the adult recreational use of cannabis across the country.

Hemp Leaves No Longer A Novel Food In The EU

A European Commission working group removed hemp leaves as a Novel Food under EU law in 2023. The policy change permits the sale of hemp-infused tea and tea-like products in member states.

First Cannabis Clubs Licensed In Malta

Malta became the first European nation to pass a national legalization measure back in 2021. This year, the country issued its first round of licenses to noncommercial cannabis clubs.

Advocates Push For Higher THC Limits In Canadian Edibles

Roughly five years after Canada passed its adult-use legalization measure, the amount of THC that is allowed in edibles has remained very low. Advocates started a push in 2023 to raise the THC limit from 10mgs per unit to 100mgs per unit.

Cannabis Pilot Programs Launch In The Netherlands

Limited adult-use cannabis commerce trials finally launched in the Netherlands in December after several delays. Cannabis trials were first proposed in the Netherlands in 2017 as part of a governing coalition agreement.

Pilot Programs Expand In Switzerland

Switzerland launched multiple adult-use cannabis pilot programs in 2023. The pilot programs permit consumers to make legal purchases from licensed retail outlets to help the national government collect local data regarding cannabis consumer purchasing habits.

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Cannabis Associated With Quality Of Life Improvements, Reduced Opioid Use

Written by Frank Schuler on December 25, 2023. Posted in Science.

The cannabis plant has been used by humans for many centuries due to its wellness benefits. An example of that is cannabis’ inclusion in Emperor Shen Nung’s (regarded as the father of Chinese medicine) pharmacopeia.

It wasn’t until the 1900s and the rise of global cannabis prohibition that opponents started touting cannabis as being ‘bad for human health.’ Once prohibition was implemented across the globe, cannabis research was largely hindered resulting in many people unfortunately believing anti-cannabis propaganda.

Fortunately for compassion and logical reasoning, cannabis research has picked up exponentially in recent decades. A new study found that cannabis use is associated with improvements in quality of life, as well as a reduction in opioid use. Below is more information about it via a news release from NORML:

London, United Kingdom: Patients suffering from chronic pain, depression, anxiety, and other conditions report sustained improvements in their symptoms following the use of cannabis, according to observational data published in the journal Neuropsychopharmacology Reports.

British investigators assessed the safety and efficacy of plant-derived cannabis products (either oils, flower, or a combination of both) in a cohort of 1,378 patients enrolled in the UK Medical Cannabis Registry. Participants possessed a doctor’s authorization to access cannabis products. (Since 2018, healthcare 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, six, and twelve months.

Consistent with prior studies, patients reported reduced levels of anxiety, better sleep, and improvements in their health-related quality of life following cannabis treatment. Many patients also reported decreases in their daily opioid consumption – a finding that is also consistent with numerous other studies.

The study’s authors concluded: “There was an associated improvement in self-reported anxiety, sleep quality, and HRQoL [health-related quality of life] in patients treated with the CBMPs [cannabis-based medicinal products]. Those prescribed treatment formulations including dried flower were most likely to show a clinical improvement. … There was a reduction in opioid prescriptions at 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months compared to the baseline… Most reported adverse events were mild to moderate, consistent with prior assessments of safety.”

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, post-traumatic stress, depression, generalized anxiety, migraine, inflammatory bowel disease, and other afflictions.

Full text of the study, “An observational study of clinical outcome measures in patients treated with cannabis-based medicinal products on the UK Medical Cannabis Registry,” appears in the journal Neuropsychopharmacology Reports. Additional information is available from the NORML Fact Sheet, ‘Relationship Between Marijuana and Opioids.’

THC Associated With Cognitive Improvements In Patients With Advanced Cancer

Written by Frank Schuler on December 25, 2023. Posted in Science.

Patients who are battling cancer experience any number of negative symptoms, including symptoms related to cognitive impairment. Cognitive impairment can come in many forms, including but not limited to impaired memory, reduced concentration, slower information processing, and/or reduced executive function.

Various treatments exist for cognitive impairment including pharmaceutical drugs. Cognitive remediation is another option, in which the patient learns compensatory strategies and methods to supplement their cognitive functioning.

Medical cannabis is used by many cancer patients, including varieties of medical cannabis that are high in THC. According to a recent study, oral THC dosing is associated with cognitive improvements among cancer patients. Below is more information about it via a news release from NORML:

Hjørring, Denmark: Cancer patients who take daily doses of oral THC (dronabinol) exhibit improved cognitive performance and they experience reductions in pain and depression, according to clinical data published in the journal Palliative Medicine Reports.

Danish researchers assessed the use of prescription dronabinol in six patients with advanced cancer. Subjects consumed oral THC daily for two weeks.

Investigators reported, “[T]reating palliative cancer patients with dronabinol for 14 days … seems to improve cognition in different domains, including in speed of mental processing, nonverbal and in-the-moment reasoning, as well as short-term memory and working memory.”

The study’s findings are consistent with those of others reporting cannabis-associated cognitive improvements in patients with cancer, bipolar disorders, HIV, and chronic pain.

Researchers also reported that THC dosing was associated with reductions in patients’ pain, depression, and fatigue. Some patients also reduced their use of other prescription medications during treatment – a finding that is consistent with numerous other studies.

The study’s authors concluded: “[I]n this group of patients, the short-term use of dronabinol did not impair cognition. Rather, the treatment was associated with improved cognition, especially in the processing and reasoning domains. The study also found relief of pain, fatigue, and depressive symptoms, which may have had an indirect beneficial effect on cognitive functions. … The study results suggest dronabinol may have a beneficial effect on different parameters for patients with advanced cancer receiving palliative care.”

Dronabinol (aka Marinol) is a Schedule III prescription drug in the United States.

Full text of the study, “Impact of low dose dronabinol therapy on cognitive function in cancer patients receiving palliative care: A care-series intervention study,” appears in Palliative Medicine Reports.

Cannabis Associated With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Improvements

Written by Frank Schuler on December 18, 2023. Posted in Science.

One of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders that people are diagnosed with around the world is attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The symptoms of the condition can look different from patient to patient, and diagnosis typically occurs early in life.

According to the results of a prior study, “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 investigators associated with various academic institutions in the United Kingdom recently explored how the use of medical cannabis interacts with ADHD. They specifically looked at cannabis use’s potential impact on the quality of life among ADHD patients. Below is more information about it via a news release from NORML:

London, United Kingdom: Patients with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) exhibit sustained improvements in their symptoms following the use of cannabis products, according to data published in the journal Neuropsychopharmacology Reports.

British investigators assessed the safety and efficacy of plant-derived cannabis products (either oils, flower, or a combination of both) in a cohort of 68 patients enrolled in the UK Medical Cannabis Registry. 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, six, and twelve months.

Researchers reported improvements in patients’ anxiety, sleep quality, and overall health-related quality of life following cannabis treatment. Over one-third of patients ceased taking at least one ADHD prescription drug medication over the course of the study.

The study’s authors concluded: “This case series is the first of its kind in assessing the clinical outcome of patients from the UKMCR with a primary diagnosis of ADHD prescribed CBMPs [cannabis-based medicinal products] for up to 12 months. This study reports that treatment with CBMPs was associated with improvements in general HRQoL [health-related quality of life] after 1, 3, and 6, months, in addition to anxiety and sleep quality after 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. These results suggest that CBMPs may play a role in alleviating symptoms and co-morbid anxiety and sleep disruption associated with ADHD.”

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

Full text of the study, “An analysis of clinical outcomes of medicinal cannabis therapy for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder,” appears in Neuropsychopharmacology Reports.

UK Researchers Examine Cannabis Use And ADHD

Written by Frank Schuler on December 11, 2023. 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.

Cannabis Use Before Bedtime Associated With Improved Sleep Quality

Written by Frank Schuler on December 11, 2023. 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.

Patients Do Not Exhibit Neurocognitive Performance Changes After Cannabis Use

Written by Frank Schuler on December 6, 2023. Posted in Science.

Cannabis opponents have long touted the unfounded claim that ‘cannabis is bad for the human brain.’ Those claims always fail to provide proper context to the subject, which does a huge disservice to such a very important conversation.

To be sure, cannabis can have an effect on the human brain, but to what level and in which ways depends on several factors. That is why one patient can consume cannabis in the same manner as a second patient, the same dosage, and all things being equal, yet have a different experience.

Not all cannabis use results in a change in how the brain functions. Neurocognitive performance after cannabis use was at the heart of a recent study in Australia, and the results are insightful. Below is more information about it via a news release from NORML:

Melbourne, Australia: The use of medical cannabis is not associated with significant changes in patients’ cognitive performance or driving abilities, according to data published in the journal CNS Drugs.

Australian researchers assessed neurocognitive performance in a cohort of 40 patients authorized to use medical cannabis products. (Under Australian law, physicians may authorize cannabis products to patients unresponsive to conventional prescription treatments.) Participants’ performance was assessed at baseline and again three hours later. Patients either vaporized herbal cannabis or consumed oral extracts. Study participants had regularly used medical cannabis products for at least ten months prior to enrolling in the trial.

Patients exhibited no changes in simulated psychomotor performance, executive function, memory, or reaction time following their self-administration of a “standard dose of their prescribed medical cannabis.” Results were consistent regardless of the type of cannabis product consumed.

Investigators reported: “We found no evidence for impaired cognitive function when comparing baseline with post-treatment scores on a comprehensive neuropsychological test battery, nor did we observe any change in performance on the DRUID [psychomotor] test battery over time. … These findings are consistent with two systematic reviews published in the last year that suggest that medical cannabis, when used regularly and consistently for a chronic health condition, may have little if any impact on cognitive function.”

The study’s authors concluded, “Medical cannabis may have minimal acute impact on cognitive function when prescribed and used as directed.”

Other studies have similarly determined that habitual cannabis consumers become tolerant to cannabis-induced changes in either cognitive or psychomotor performance. According to a 2018 meta-analysis of 36 studies involving over 1,000 participants: “Available evidence suggests that the effects of acute marijuana or Δ9-THC administration are less prominent in individuals with a regular pattern of cannabis use compared to non-regular users. Cognitive function appears to be the domain most likely to demonstrate tolerance upon repeated exposure, with some evidence of full tolerance indicating a complete absence of acute effect.”

A literature review published in the journal of the German Medical Association concluded, “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 trial examining the effect of prescribed medical cannabis on neurocognitive performance,” appears in CNS Drugs. Additional information is available in the NORML Fact Sheet, ‘Marijuana and Psychomotor Performance.’