Researchers and leaders in academia, industry, the non-profit sector, and government organizations are invited to attend the 4th Annual Psychedelic Therapeutics and Drug Development Conference being held May 23-24, 2024, in Boston, MA. The conference focuses on discussing the hurdles as well as challenges in the research and development of psychedelics for various health conditions. Join the experts for this two-day conference that involves exploration, learning, discussion, and networking.
Specific areas of discussion will include:
Targets for novel drug development
Toxicology studies and considerations
The dosage debate and new evidence
Second generation psychedelic drug design
FDA regulatory guidance
The speaker panel consists of an impressive line-up of leaders and dignitaries who will share important insights and strategies on a number of industry topics. This includes the latest discoveries, psychedelic therapeutics, and clinical trials, offering a fresh perspective and critical knowledge to attendees.
Speaker topics will cover:
Clinical Trial Design
Legal Issues
Intellectual Property
Regulatory Guidance
Psychedelic Drug Delivery
Commercialization
Emerging Preclinical Science
New Clinical Data
This conference offers an excellent forum for newcomers as well as veterans for the discovery and exchange of knowledge in the world of psychedelics and therapeutics.
The event commences with opening remarks from the chairperson, Peter Hendricks, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Psychiatry, University of Alabama Birmingham. Attendees will get answers to some vital issues related to ways of optimizing psychedelic trials and scaling trail delivery while still being consistent. Other important topics include discussions on studies being conducted for the treatment of Schizophrenia, postpartum depression, distress in cancer, and more.
After the morning refreshment break, the conference will resume with a panel discussion navigating the challenges in research and compliance with the Federal Analogue Act.
The conference is being held at the luxurious Revere Hotel Boston Common, 200 Stuart Street, Boston, MA (www.reverehotel.com), described as “Shaped by local culture and the rebellious, independent spirit of Boston, Revere Hotel Boston Common is a downtown refuge for the adventurous and curious. Immerse yourself in authentic local experiences at our original Back Bay hotel, located steps from Boston’s Theater District, Newbury Street and Copley Square.”
PsychedelicNewsWire (“PNW”) is a specialized communications platform with a focus on all aspects of psychedelics and the latest developments and advances in the psychedelics sector. It is one of 60+ brands within the Dynamic Brand Portfolio @ IBN that delivers: (1) access to a vast network of wire solutions via InvestorWire to efficiently and effectively reach a myriad of target markets, demographics and diverse industries; (2) article and editorial syndication to 5,000+ outlets; (3) enhanced press release enhancement to ensure maximum impact; (4) social media distribution via IBN to millions of social media followers; and (5) a full array of tailored corporate communications solutions. With broad reach and a seasoned team of contributing journalists and writers, PNW is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that want to reach a wide audience of investors, influencers, consumers, journalists and the general public. By cutting through the overload of information in today’s market, PNW brings its clients unparalleled recognition and brand awareness. PNW is where breaking news, insightful content and actionable information converge.
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Tilray Brands, Inc., a leading global lifestyle and consumer packaged goods company today announces the latest addition to its Solei cannabis wellness brand, the Warming Deep Tissue Stick. This new innovative cannabis-infused roll-on is designed to elevate your wellness rituals and provide targeted warmth.
With a balanced blend of 300mg THC and 300mg CBD, the Warming Deep Tissue Stick is Solei’s first roll-on topical that combines nourishing shea butter, coconut, and jojoba oil to glide on smoothly and leave a non-greasy residue. The stick is designed to offer a cooling sensation while it warms, to help you take on whatever comes next. Infused with a refreshing minty scent, this roll-on offers a dual-action experience.
Solei’s Warming Deep Tissue Stick is the perfect go-to product for those looking for a more functional, convenient, and longer-term use-cases for the avid cannabis-infused topical aficionados in the wellness and active cannabis lifestyle space.
Consumers can find Solei’s Warming Deep Tissue Stick available in Ontario and select retailers nationwide starting next month. Later this summer, Solei will also be expanding its topical roll-on line with an additional release featuring higher potency.
About Solei Solei is a leading cannabis wellness and lifestyle brand with thoughtfully designed products for curating sensorial experiences based on what you need, when you need it, entirely on your terms. Beloved by consumers for its carefully formulated products and innovative formats, Solei products feature varied and rare cannabinoids that allow you to fine-tune your routines with ease. Explore a true sense of well-being with a wide range of formats including Solei’s best-selling CBD oils, ready-to-go pre-roll multi-packs, blended topicals, and new beverages, along with more exciting future launches coming later this year. For more information on Solei, visit http://www.Solei.ca and follow along our journey @soleicanada on Instagram.
About Tilray Brands Tilray Brands, Inc. is a leading global cannabis-lifestyle and consumer packaged goods company with operations in Canada, the United States, Europe, Australia, and Latin America that is changing people’s lives for the better – one person at a time – by inspiring and empowering the worldwide community to live their very best life by providing them with products that meet the needs of their mind, body, and soul and invoke a sense of wellbeing.For more information on Tilray, visit Tilray Brands, Inc. and follow @tilray on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
Governor Wes Moore of Maryland recently signed two measures into law that will create a task force to conduct research on legal access to psychedelics such as DMT and psilocybin. This move comes almost a month after legislators forwarded the bills to the governor’s desk.
The new law will establish a task force on the responsible use of natural psychedelics that shall be overseen by the state’s Cannabis Administration. The agency will oversee the equitable, broad and affordable access to psychedelics in the state. Members of this body are tasked with assessing and making recommendations on issues such as the production of natural psychedelics, access to treatment and permitting requirements.
Some of the bill’s provisions also require the task force to explore the expungement of previous convictions for psychedelics and the release of individuals imprisoned for such offenses. Additionally, members of the task force are required to make recommendations on possible civil penalties for nonviolent crimes that involve the cultivation, purchase, transportation, distribution or possession of natural psychedelic drugs.
Legislative leaders, several state agencies and the governor himself are charged with appointing the task force, which shall be comprised of 17 members.
The bill also affords members the discretion to review additional psychedelics if they see fit. The task force is required to present its recommendations to the legislature and the governor by the end of July 2025.
Maryland’s move comes as more states in the country continue to pursue psychedelics reform measures in this legislative session, with a primary focus on therapeutic access and research. For instance, the governor of Indiana recently signed an initiative that includes provisions to finance clinical research trials on psilocybin.
In Vermont, legislators signed off on a resolution that would establish a state working group to give recommendations on how and whether the state should regulate legal access to psychedelics like MDMA and psilocybin. The resolution has been forwarded to Governor Phill Scott.
In Alaska, the senate recently approved a measure that had already been approved last week by the House. The measure would establish a task force to conduct research on how psychedelic-assisted therapy could be licensed and regulated in the event of the drugs receiving federal approval.
In Maine, legislators recently forwarded a measure to the governor that would create a commission to study and make recommendations on regulating access to psychedelic services. Meanwhile in Utah, the governor recently permitted a measure to become law without his signature. The measure authorized a pilot program to administer MDMA and psilocybin as alternative-treatment options.
The passing of such laws in different states could be a good sign for psychedelics companies such as Compass Pathways PLC (NASDAQ: CMPS) since it shows that the public is yearning for psychedelic-based treatments.
About PsychedelicNewsWire
PsychedelicNewsWire (“PNW”) is a specialized communications platform with a focus on all aspects of psychedelics and the latest developments and advances in the psychedelics sector. It is one of 60+ brands within the Dynamic Brand Portfolio @ IBN that delivers: (1) access to a vast network of wire solutions via InvestorWire to efficiently and effectively reach a myriad of target markets, demographics and diverse industries; (2) article and editorial syndication to 5,000+ outlets; (3) enhanced press release enhancement to ensure maximum impact; (4) social media distribution via IBN to millions of social media followers; and (5) a full array of tailored corporate communications solutions. With broad reach and a seasoned team of contributing journalists and writers, PNW is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that want to reach a wide audience of investors, influencers, consumers, journalists and the general public. By cutting through the overload of information in today’s market, PNW brings its clients unparalleled recognition and brand awareness. PNW is where breaking news, insightful content and actionable information converge.
To receive SMS alerts from PsychedelicNewsWire, text “Groovy” to 888-902-4192 (U.S. Mobile Phones Only)
Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the PsychedelicNewsWire website applicable to all content provided by PNW, wherever published or re-published: https://www.PsychedelicNewsWire.com/Disclaimer
In 2021, a Danish pharmaceutical company released a drug that would help treat obesity. The drug was called Wegovy. [1] While originally designed to help manage Type II Diabetes, Wegovy’s primary application today is as a weight loss management drug that may provide an effective tool against obesity.
The World Obesity Foundation estimates that as much as 50 percent of the global population may suffer from obesity by 2035. [3] In fact, even in the last two years, Wegovy is already raising Denmark’s GDP by as much as 1.7%. All of this represents exciting possibilities for the weight-loss industry, but what if it were possible to achieve similar results with a more naturally sourced compound. This may be the case with the cannabinoid, tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV).Often nicknamed the “diet” cannabis, THCV could prove to be a natural disruptor to a pharmaceutical that may represent billions in annual profits around the world.
What is THCV?
THCV is one of as many of 100 cannabinoids found in various strains of cannabis. [3] Though it was first discovered in the 1970s by Edward Gill, technological limitations prevented the mass production and study of this cannabinoid at the time. [4] Thanks to the explosion of the cannabis industry and growing demand for extracts, THCV can now be produced efficiently and sustainably. This growing availability has also led to an increase in its understanding through more advanced studies of the cannabinoid. The data collection on THCV is still ongoing, especially when it comes to its effects on humans. The early results are promising, though.
For starters, early studies indicate that THCV may help to combat some negative side effects of THC. [5] These side effects include sleepiness, lack of focus, and excessive eating commonly associated with too much THC. One theory explaining this combative effect has to do with THCV working as a CB1 suppressor. [6] CB1 receptors are where THC primarily connects to the human brain, and if THCV works to limit the bonding of THC to these receptors it may explain the lowered effects. Another possible explanation for this has to do with where THCV derives from. Instead of coming from THCA, like many other THC derived , THCV actually comes from CBGVA (cannabigerovarinic acid), giving it a similar molecular structure to CBD. [7] This theory come off as a stretch, but when comparing CBD and THCV’s ability to counteract THC’s risk of psychosis, there may be some factual claims that are worthy of increased analysis. [8] [9]
What are THCV’s Side Effects?
Due to the novelty of THCV, all the psychological and physical effects are still being tallied. That being said, there have been some studies that indicate certain common side effects shared with THC and others that may differ. For example, THCV and THC have both been proven to have anti-inflammatory properties. [10] This means that THCV can also be used to provide minor main relief but with a lower psychoactive response. Additionally, they both also provide neuroprotective benefits, which can be helpful in treating neurological conditions like Parkinson’s disease or epilepsy. [11]
What makes THCV really exciting is how it differs from THC. The most promising of which comes in the form of appetite suppression. [12] This can occur in both the short term and the long term, but in noticeably different ways. In the long term, one study found that consistent doses of THCV helped regulate glucose levels in Type 2 Diabetes patients. [13] This was the intended use of Wegovy, but the short term effects of THCV are even more impressive. For users who take a single dose of 10mg THCV, they report a noticeable difference in how they view food as a reward or an aversion. [14] While the data is still in its early stages, these side effects sound remarkably similar to the benefits Wegovy can provide. One is not a perfect replacement for the other, and certain patients may find they prefer one over the other. When making this decision, it is also worthwhile to consider the neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, and potentially anti-psychotic effects THCV provides. [15]
Is THCV Safe?
THCV, on its own, is considered safe. This safety has been ascertained both in laboratory and anecdotal evidence. In its naturally occurring form, THCV is often a minor cannabinoid in certain sativa strains. It could be the case that other cannabinoids found in these strains are offsetting any kind of risks that may be associated with it. When isolating the compound for academic review, one study found that after 13 weeks of regular use, THCV users reported no long term side effects. [16]
That being said, there is a substantial difference between the laboratory produced THCV and what may be available to the average consumer in the form of processed cannabis products. Regulatory gaps between legal markets means that cannabis manufacturers may not be subject to the same rigid standards they would be on a federal level. Ultimately, it is up to each individual to decide what is best for them, and that may require speaking to a doctor to identify potential risks involved both in using this cannabis derivative for obesity management or other existing FDA approved drugs.
While THCV may provide some exciting possibilities as a weight loss supplement or as a new cannabinoid that counteracts THC, both of these aspects have not been studied in depth, and may result in unintended consequences.
World Obesity Foundation. (2021, March). World Obesity Atlas 2023. World Obesity Foundaton. Retrieved November 15, 2023, from https://data.worldobesity.org/publications/WOF-Obesity-Atlas-V5.pdf
Schrot, Richard J., and John R. Hubbard. “Cannabinoids: medical implications.” Annals of medicine 48.3 (2016): 128-141.
Pertwee, Roger G. “Cannabinoid pharmacology: the first 66 years.” British journal of pharmacology 147.S1 (2006): S163-S171.
Pertwee, RG2219532. “The diverse CB1 and CB2 receptor pharmacology of three plant cannabinoids: Δ9‐tetrahydrocannabinol, cannabidiol and Δ9‐tetrahydrocannabivarin.” British journal of pharmacology 153.2 (2008): 199-215.
Riedel, Gernot, et al. “Synthetic and plant‐derived cannabinoid receptor antagonists show hypophagic properties in fasted and non‐fasted mice.” British journal of pharmacology 156.7 (2009): 1154-1166.
Sampson, Peter B. “Phytocannabinoid pharmacology: medicinal properties of Cannabis sativa constituents aside from the “Big Two”.” Journal of Natural Products 84.1 (2020): 142-160.
Chester, Lucy Ann. Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol, Cannabidiol and Psychosis. Diss. King’s College London, 2023.
Freeman, Abigail M., et al. “How does cannabidiol (CBD) influence the acute effects of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in humans? A systematic review.” Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews 107 (2019): 696-712.
Bolognini, Daniele, et al. “The plant cannabinoid Δ9‐tetrahydrocannabivarin can decrease signs of inflammation and inflammatory pain in mice.” British journal of pharmacology 160.3 (2010): 677-687.
Stone, Nicole L., et al. “A systematic review of minor phytocannabinoids with promising neuroprotective potential.” British Journal of Pharmacology 177.19 (2020): 4330-4352.
Abioye, Amos, et al. “Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV): a commentary on potential therapeutic benefit for the management of obesity and diabetes.” Journal of cannabis research 2.1 (2020): 1-6.
Jadoon KA, Ratcliffe SH, Barrett DA, Thomas EL, Stott C, Bell JD, O’Sullivan SE, Tan GD. Efficacy and Safety of Cannabidiol and Tetrahydrocannabivarin on Glycemic and Lipid Parameters in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Parallel Group Pilot Study. Diabetes Care. 2016 Oct;39(10):1777-86. doi: 10.2337/dc16-0650. Epub 2016 Aug 29. PMID: 27573936.
Tudge L, Williams C, Cowen PJ, McCabe C. Neural effects of cannabinoid CB1 neutral antagonist tetrahydrocannabivarin on food reward and aversion in healthy volunteers. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol. 2014 Dec 25;18(6):pyu094. doi: 10.1093/ijnp/pyu094. PMID: 25542687; PMCID: PMC4438540.
McPartland, John M., et al. “Are cannabidiol and Δ9‐tetrahydrocannabivarin negative modulators of the endocannabinoid system? A systematic review.” British journal of pharmacology 172.3 (2015): 737-753.
Jadoon, Khalid A., et al. “Efficacy and safety of cannabidiol and tetrahydrocannabivarin on glycemic and lipid parameters in patients with type 2 diabetes: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group pilot study.” Diabetes care 39.10 (2016): 1777-1786.
You experience many people influencing your decisions every day. People want to tell you what you should do and how your actions should look like. However, at the end of the day, it is you suffering or enjoying the consequences of your behavior. You have to live with the outcomes of your actions. Individual sovereignty is a concept pursuing this idea to its ultimate end. This libertarian principle, also known as self-ownership or self-autonomy, signifies that you have the complete ownership of your body. In this digital age, where our data and decisions are often not our own, reclaiming individual sovereignty is not just revolutionary, it’s necessary. It’s a declaration of independence from societal expectations and a commitment to personal ethics.
Control of Your Own Life
At its core, individual sovereignty is the principle that you are the ruler of your own life. It means having the autonomy to make decisions about your body, your property, and your actions, as long as you don’t infringe on the rights of others. However, this means individual sovereignty is about negative rights — rights from something — not about positive rights — rights to something. For instance, it means not being forced to inject a medical substance. It does not signify the ability to force other people to take a substance.
Individual sovereignty is about being the sole decision maker of what happens to your body. This principle challenges the status quo, pushing against the boundaries of government overreach and societal norms. Nowadays, many are on board with enforcing medical injections as soon as this seems to be a positive thing for society. This goes fundamentally against individual sovereignty.
Prophesies Coming True
The quest for personal autonomy, expressed in the bold declaration of “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”, has shaped our world. These ideas were radical, sowing the seeds for more individual freedom worldwide and inspiring countless individuals to fight for their rights.
However, while the idea of having the power over one’s own body has been around for some time, the term “sovereign individual” was coined by investment advisors James Dale Davidson and Lord William Rees-Mogg in their book “The Sovereign Individual”, published in 1997. They argue that nation states are coming to an end and individuals are becoming sovereign. With the cyberspace arising, people can easily move to where they are treated best since they aren’t earning money in a location-bound way anymore. Furthermore, they predict that individuals will be able to bypass state controls and prophesy that “a cybermoney controlled by private markets will supersede fiat money issued by governments” (p. 24 – 25).
Only 12 years later, a cybermoney starts operating — Bitcoin. Additionally, especially in the last years, with a drastic enhancement of the ability to work online, people’s confinement to a specific location has decreased. While the predictions have not come true absolutely (yet), Davidson and Rees-Mogg describes a vision of the future not seeming unrealistic anymore, way before smartphones were invented.
International Competition
In a time when our lives are often dictated by external forces, the importance of individual sovereignty cannot be overstated. It’s about empowerment, the right to self-determination, and the freedom to pursue your own happiness. States are disrespecting individual sovereignty in increasingly extreme ways. Forced vaccinations in the recent past are an obvious example. When people don’t own their bodies, they cannot be sure to own anything. Bodily autonomy is a cornerstone of a free society.
As long as people do not start moving to other countries there won’t be a need for first-world nations to compete. However, outside of the West, there are nation states actively incentivizing people to relocate. El Salvador, which is trying to get rid of criminal gangs currently and wants to attract bitcoiners especially, or Paraguay, which has been providing very simple ways to obtain residency for some time, are examples of countries competing for people. Trends towards more and less individual sovereignty exist simultaneously. While more and more people in society think they have a right to what you do with your body, international competition begins increasing, too.
Sovereignty In Action
How can we apply this lofty ideal in our everyday lives? It starts with small steps: questioning authority, making informed choices, and standing up for our rights in our community. Whether it’s choosing to homeschool, starting a business, or simply living off-grid, individual sovereignty is about carving your own path. It’s about asserting your right to privacy in an increasingly intrusive world. It’s about making lifestyle choices that align with your values. Decrease your dependence on the state by taking matters in your own hands: grow some fruits yourself, buy directly from your local farmer, and live without depending on the state.
A question that is not easily answered is how to apply individual sovereignty to the digital age. Obviously, you are not the master of your data when you do anything digitally, and while many blockchain projects have been started to address this issue, there has barely been any success. Hence, your are not sovereign digitally. On the other hand, you know that you are giving away your data if you sign up for anything and you do that voluntarily. There is a discord of how a libertarian can behave here. Perhaps, a good way forward is just acting carefully and thinking twice before giving away your data.
Living Autonomously
Individual sovereignty is a personal manifesto. It’s about taking control of your destiny and respecting the sovereignty of others. This is what characterizes a free society, but as long as international competition for citizens is not growing, there is no incentive for Western nations to begin respecting individual sovereignty. Personally, increasing individual sovereignty is achieved by doing more on your own and relying less on the state. What steps are you undertaking to become a sovereign individual?
Think for yourself and question everything, my fellow libertarians!
David Jäkle
David is a recent graduate of Business Administration. Stumbling into Bitcoin and recognizing propaganda around the covid narrative, he began to research Austrian Economic as well as libertarian and anarchist principles, which are not very prevalent in his home country Germany. He authors the blog Libertarian Thinker where he explains libertarian and Austrian economic concepts in a simple way and stands against tyrants on X. Follow his Medium page!
Putting aside the things that Christ, was crucified for – which were sorcery, blasphemy and sedition, according to the Babylonian Talmud, Jesus of Nazareth:
“On the eve of Passover, Jesus the Nazarene was hanged and a herald went forth before him forty days heralding, “Jesus the Nazarene is going forth to be stoned because he practiced sorcery and instigated and seduced Israel to idolatry. Whoever knows anything in defense may come and state it.” But since they did not find anything in his defense they hanged him on the eve of Passover. Ulla said: “Do you suppose that Jesus the Nazarene was one for whom a defense could be made? He was a mesit (someone who instigated Israel to idolatry), concerning whom the Merciful [God] says: Show him no compassion and do not shield him (Deut. 13:9). With Jesus the Nazarene it was different. For he was close to the government.“
However, does not this simple phrase attributed to the words of Jesus, suggest that Jesus was indeed a shaman.
“Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3)
An exceedingly important principle of shamanism is the symbolism of the metaphysical death and rebirth of the shaman. This is particularly evident within the crucifixion of Jesus, but no less evident that in his life that he lived, also according to shamanic principles.
First of all, Jesus is quoted as citing the law of Karma as his linchpin philosophy, of ‘do unto other’s as you would have done unto you’. This is the going around of Karma. While Karma itself is a Buddhist, and Hindu philosophy; the principle of both of these religions, is that they emanated quite separately; both from shamanic traditions. Buddhism from Hinduism, which itself has shamanic roots, and Tibetan Buddhism from Tibetan Bon Shamanism.
Nepalese shamanism, which is practiced by both Hindus and Buddhists alike, is based in a particular mythos. That Ganesh, who is the chief of the shamans – has his elephant’s head, chiefly for this reason… That it was taken by Shiva in order that he have the symbolic death and rebirth of the Shamanic warrior. Shiva brings his son back to life, but replaces his head with that of the elephants’ head ‘ instead of the one Parvati his consort had created in the first place.
In other indigenous traditions, the initiation is equivalent to a metaphorical death and rebirth… these things leading to knowledge of self and the entrance to the mystery (in a sense the kingdom of God?).. And is not the ultimate goal of any shamanic practice to ‘See’. In the Gospel of Matthew (chapter 13), Jesus speaks about having “eyes to see and ears to hear.” He uses this metaphor to emphasize the nature of spiritual understanding. Essentially, it’s about perceiving the deeper nature of the truth, beyond the surface.
Another example of the Shamanic lifestyle of Jesus, was when he disappeared from the top of the cliff in Luke 4:30. “When the people in the synagogue were filled with wrath, they drove Jesus out of the town and took Him to the brow of a hill. Their intention was to throw Him off the cliff. However, Jesus miraculously passed through their midst and went away”
In the works of Castaneda; the pinnacle of Don Juan’s teachings, once he thinks Castaneda, is ready, is to take him to the top of a tall cliff and suggests to him, that he needs to leap off…..
This shamanic principle, is also linked into the last, in essence; that the symbolic ‘death, and rebirth’ into a new post-leap life; is living now in the Unknown.
Another shamanic element of the Jesus story, was his battle with Satan in the desert. Jesus fasts for forty days and nights. During this period, Satan tempted Him by suggesting that He turn stones into bread. But Jesus resists, relying instead on spiritual strength rather than physical sustenance. Fasting is a strong principle in many religions, but none the less; deeply embedded in shamanism.
Shamanism is an ancient practice. Long before two thousand years ago, man practised speaking with the gods through psychedelics. I believe that Jesus’ time marked an end of this tradition within Judaism; or perhaps at that time, a sort of revival of a truer form of worship and ecstasy – Hallucinogens promote a catharsis within the individual, that induces a transcendence into total-self-awareness. Perhaps Jesus also ingested psychedelics; I don’t doubt their availability and his ministry then possibly was a revival of shamanic understanding for these people. His teacher was, after all, a wild man who lived in the wilderness, and ate fruits and berries….
A proposal put forth by Merrick Garland, U.S. Attorney General, calls for a relaxation of federal laws prohibiting marijuana. However, this move does not imply the federal government’s endorsement of medical or recreational marijuana use in the numerous states where it has been legalized.
Shifting cannabis from its current classification as one of the most hazardous and least beneficial substances to a less severe category indicates a desire within the federal government, particularly under Biden’s administration, to alleviate restrictions on a substance that has gained legality in an increasing number of states over the past decade. Over the years, federal authorities have refrained from targeting state-legal cannabis activities, and this recent proposal seems to reinforce that stance. Nonetheless, it fails to resolve the complex issues arising from the disparity between federal and state regulations.
The specifics of the rescheduling remain uncertain, as the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has not disclosed Garland’s proposal details. Even if made public, the proposal is subject to modifications during the rulemaking process, which spans several months.
A: No. Despite legalization in certain states for adult use, federal law would likely still deem state systems illegal. State-legal medical cannabis dispensaries don’t meet the criteria for Schedule III drugs regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Q: What distinguishes Schedule I from III?
A: One significant difference is the acknowledgment of potential medical value. Schedule I substances, such as LSD and heroin, are deemed to have no medicinal use, hindering research efforts. On the other hand, Schedule III recognizes some medical benefits, offering prospects for improved research opportunities.
Q: How are states getting ready for rescheduling?
A: State regulators are awaiting further details before acting. While some anticipate eased restrictions on marijuana research, others consider potential implications for state-legal businesses, such as eligibility for tax deductions.
Q: Why is research important?
A: Limited research due to restrictions has impeded efforts to demonstrate cannabis’s benefits, hindering policy decisions and industry guidelines.
Q: What implications does rescheduling have on criminal justice, tax and banking policies?
A: While rescheduling alone is unlikely to address various concerns, such as tax deductions and access to banking services, advocates hope it will catalyze broader changes, including addressing social-justice issues.
Q: Could a future administration reverse this decision?
A: While possible, there’s no indication of such intentions. The fate of rescheduling could depend on the outcome of future elections and subsequent policy shifts.
Companies such as Curaleaf Holdings Inc. (CSE: CURA) (OTCQX: CURLF) will be waiting on the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration to announce its reclassification decision and the commencement of the next rulemaking steps to ascertain what the strategic direction for cannabis businesses may be going forward.
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Watch a replay and catch highlights from the scientific panel, part of the Focus On: Quality Assurance virtual summit
May 22, 2024 By Grow Opportunity Staff
May 15 Virtual Summit sponsored by High North and Canna Green Packaging. Photo: Annex Business Media
Watch the exciting hour-long discussion spanning testing compliance, cannabis export and packaging intricacies, while covering the dynamic QA role within Canadian cannabis licensed producers.
Moderator: Denis Gentler of Regulatory Innovator
Panelists: Nina Ackah, QAP, Freedom Cannabis and C-45 board member; Tom Ulanowski chair of C-45 quality association and co-founder of Quantify Environmental Ltd.; and John Slaughter, CEO, High North Laboratories.
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Industry standards and challenges with Health Canada’s regulations.
Associations such as C-45 provide platforms for industry to voice their concerns and advocate for change, far more than a single voice or complaint.
Emphasizing the importance of validation and accreditation in cannabis testing and the need for internal comparison and confidence in test results.
Panelists stressed the importance of LP verification of validation reports from supplier labs before releasing products, and maintaining copies of those reports on file for audits and internal record keeping.
“And so I think as a takeaway is people should join associations like ours like others, because they have an impact, much, much larger than complaining on Twitter or LinkedIn right? So I think that’s that’s the key takeaway is join an association. Focus on a few topics and continue that kind of engagement because if you don’t, no one’s gonna listen to you.” – Tom Ulanowski
Quality assurance and compliance in the cannabis industry includes standardization, testing and export formalities.
Labs can assist with verifying authenticity when faced with COA manipulations of any kind.
The challenges of export revolves around testing and compliance requirements, and other operational challenges along with building relationships with buyers.
Choosing the right country and broker for exports is imperative for streamlined product distribution.
Reaching out to a helpful client care team can provide valuable insights and relationships for product success.
Packaging and testing for exports focuses on standards and relations.
This is the crux of product quality and the avoidance of contamination.
Lighter packaging results in cost savings when shipping, however glass packaging could be used domestically.
Panel members weigh in on the future of testing, calling for international standards and regulations while addressing public health concerns.
Health Canada could make ISO 17025 accreditation compulsory for all cannabis testing labs.
Review validation reports and testing methods from labs to ensure true ISO 17025 compliance for testing.
When exploring new export markets, thoroughly research country requirements and choose reliable in country partners.
Consider packaging or partially processing cannabis internationally to reduce costs when exporting.
Cannabis industry challenges, including regulations, taxation and product quality.
Experts urge the collaboration of companies who advocate for regulatory change.
The panel expresses frustration with the THC-focused cannabis industry, though recognizes the shifting tides towards lower THC and higher terpene products.
Excise tax reform will not come from Health Canada (so stop asking), though it is inconsistent in targeting only the federal portion of the total value collected from products.
CRA’s high taxes hurt small and medium-sizes cannabis businesses in Canada, and panelists warn about expecting tighter CRA scrutiny this year.
CRA is revoking licenses of companies with unpaid excise taxes.
Panelists highlight the importance of a healthy cannabis marketplace and a diverse economy with a diverse sector – not just three large corporations.
(AP) – Millions of people in the U.S. report using marijuana daily or nearly every day, according to an analysis of national survey data, and those people now outnumber those who say they are daily or nearly-daily drinkers of alcohol.
Alcohol is still more widely used, but 2022 was the first time this intensive level of marijuana use overtook daily and near-daily drinking, said the study’s author, Jonathan Caulkins, a cannabispolicy researcher at Carnegie Mellon University.
“A good 40% of current cannabis users are using it daily or near daily, a pattern that is more associated with tobacco use than typical alcohol use,” Caulkins said.
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The research, based on data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, was published Wednesday in the journal Addiction. The survey is a highly regarded source of self-reported estimates of tobacco, alcohol and drug use in the United States.
In 2022, an estimated 17.7 million people reported using marijuana daily or near-daily compared to 14.7 million daily or near-daily drinkers, according to the study.
From 1992 to 2022, the per capita rate of reporting daily or near-daily marijuana use increased 15-fold. Caulkins acknowledged in the study that people may be more willing to report marijuana use as public acceptance grows, which could boost the increase.
Most states now allow medical or recreational marijuana, though it remains illegal at the federal level. In November, Florida voters will decide on a constitutional amendment allowing recreational cannabis, and the federal government is moving to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug.
Research shows that high-frequency users are more likely to become addicted to marijuana, said Dr. David A. Gorelick, a psychiatry professor at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, who was not involved in the study.
The number of daily users suggests that more people are at risk for developing problematic cannabis use or addiction, Gorelick said.
“High frequency use also increases the risk of developing cannabis-associated psychosis,” a severe condition where a person loses touch with reality, he said.
(Newsfile Corp.) Toronto — The Canadian Cannabis Tourism Alliance, a non-profit advocating for advancing cannabis tourism, has unveiled their plan to make Canada the cannabis tourism capital of the world.
The organization, in partnership with Substance Law – Canada’s law firm for regulated substances and industries – has developed comprehensive federal and provincial legislative and regulatory proposals that will advance access to cannabis and make the country the planet’s ultimate cannabis tourism destination.
CCTA has presented its proposal to decision-makers at both the federal and provincial levels, having already received initial interest in its proposals due to their breadth and depth, and will continue to do so in the coming weeks.
Some of the proposed federal amendments include removing the 30g public possession cap on products that remain sealed, authorizing provinces to allow sellers to transform purchased cannabis products into other forms at the point of sale on behalf of purchasers such as through rosin pressing and infusion into food, modernizing promotions laws to allow the industry to communicate their products better while upholding prevention of youth access to cannabis, reforming the excise duty and stamping framework, protecting the medical system by allowing physical pick-up and removing GST/HST, increasing edible potency limits, and allowing for healthy edibles choices that require refrigeration such as pre-packaged meals.
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Provincial proposals include licences for spas and salon premises to sell cannabis topicals in a limited fashion through administration to persons receiving spa or salon services, establishing a permit system allowing authorized cannabis retailers to sell cannabis at off-site events for temporary events, activities, and occasions, establishing a golf course authorization allowing golf clubs to sell certain forms of cannabis to players on golf course playing areas subject to limits, removing the 30g “per visit” purchase limit, extending permissible store hours of operations to 2:00 am to align with “last call” laws for bars in the province, and exempting sightseeing vehicles and boats from provincial offences against transportation and consumption of cannabis.
The CCTA also included in its proposal amendments that intend to advance the voices and interests of underserved communities, such as those that identify as BIPOC and individuals with disabilities, including an amendment that would include band council resolutions in the federal definition of “provincial Act” under the Cannabis Act and proposing tax credits for companies that employ those in underserved communities or retro-fit their establishments to provide better access to those with disabilities.
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