by Grow Up Conference | Nov 30, 2023 | Media Partners, Psychedelic News Wire
New research has looked into the lasting challenges people face after using psychedelics such as LSD and psilocybin. The researchers’ motivation lay in the increasing interest in and use of psychedelics for therapeutic purposes as well as personal growth. Numerous studies have shown that psychedelics have the potential to treat conditions such as anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. Despite the benefits, however, some individuals may experience challenges following a psychedelic experience.
For their research, the investigators used channels such as newsletters, social media, newspaper ads and email lists to recruit more than 600 adults who had experienced challenges that last more than a day after a psychedelic experience. Each participant was asked to provide information about their experiences, including the substance used, dosage and the environment in which the experience took place. They were also asked about the nature and duration of the issues they experienced.
The researchers found that the most commonly used substances were psilocybin, LSD, ayahuasca, marijuana, MDMA, DMT, ketamine, mescaline and salvia divinorum, in that order. With regard to setting, the drugs were commonly used in the presence of a partner, a group of friends or one friend, followed by a solo experience then in a group ceremony. The researchers classified these experiences as unguided and guided.
The researchers determined that emotional difficulties such as fear and anxiety were the most common issues, together with self-perception issues and a disempowered self. They also determined that most individuals experienced issues that lasted an average of one to three years. Other issues included existential difficulties, which comprised about 42% of total reports while delusional beliefs made up 6%.
Some participants also reported social difficulties, with others finding it harder to communicate and some noting they developed social anxiety. The report also noted that 21% of those surveyed reported perceptual difficulties while 7% experienced visual disturbances/hallucinations.
In addition, 18% of the participants reported cognitive issues, with obsessive thoughts and confusion being the leading subthemes. Furthermore, some experienced behavioral difficulties that made it difficult to perform in school or their careers. Finally, 5% of participants also admitted to experiencing symptoms that were similar to a psychotic episode.
Jules Evans, the author of the study, noted that she was surprised to learn how long some of these issues lasted.
The study’s findings were reported in the “PLOS One” journal.
Other researchers involved include Oliver C. Robinson, Ed Prideaux, Eirini Ketzitzidou Argyri, Rosalind McAlpine, Shayam Suseelan, Katrina Michelle, Ashleigh Murphy-Beiner and David Luke.
The possibility of long-term challenges arising from chronic psychedelic use makes a strong case for restricting the use of psychedelics to medical settings. Entities such as Mind Medicine Inc. (NASDAQ: MNMD) (NEO: MMED) (DE: MMQ) are working to take their psychedelic drug candidates through the FDA clinical-development process so that safe medicines are available to patients.
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by Grow Up Conference | Nov 30, 2023 | Media Partners, Stratcann
November 30, 2023 |
Staff
Ontario plans to double the number of cannabis stores a retailer can operate from 75 to 150 and is proposing to ban the cultivation of cannabis in homes that offer childcare services.
While the change to the retail store cap is a regulatory change expected to take place early next year, the change in cannabis cultivation rules is part of new proposed legislation. The provincial government is also considering different enforcement options against illegal online cannabis sales.
The new omnibus legislation, the Enhancing Access to Justice Act, 2023, would also further support negotiations with First Nations communities on the regulation of cannabis on reserves.
The province says the store cap increase will help combat the illicit market. The current cap of 75 stores came into force in 2021. Ontario currently has about 1,800 retail cannabis stores listed as authorized to open.
Ontario’s Attorney General Doug Downey said the fact cannabis can be cultivated in home-based child care facilities is “deeply unsettling and inappropriate,” noting that BC has a similar restriction already in place.
“Five years ago the federal government decided that cannabis would be legal in this country and part of the new legislation was to allow the cultivation of up to four cannabis plants at home,” said Downey. “As it stands, cannabis can be grown in home based child care facilities. We find this deeply unsettling and inappropriate, and quite frankly I never imagined we would need to legislate this.”
by Grow Up Conference | Nov 30, 2023 | Grow Opportunity, Media Partners
(Globe Newswire) Toronto — Lifeist Wellness Inc., a health-tech company that leverages advancements in science and technology to build breakthrough ventures that transform human wellness, is pleased to report that its U.S. biosciences subsidiary Mikra Cellular Sciences Inc. has begun sales of Serenity, a natural supplement for addressing symptoms of anxiety.
“The first orders of Serenity on our online store have shipped to our customers, and we look forward to unveiling new marketing campaigns for Serenity, as well as CELLF and Rescue in the weeks to come. We are committed to bringing compelling natural products, backed by the scientific gold standard of randomized controlled trials, to market. Serenity is just such a product, and initial feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.” — Meni Morim, CEO, Lifeist
Last week, Mr. Morim had explained that with so many young people grappling with symptoms of anxiety, the company was of the view that there was an opportunity to introduce a natural, science driven alternative for those seeking relief.
A Psychology Today article published on November 27 confirmed this position with reported research demonstrating the following:
“A study by the American Psychological Association found that Gen Zers are 27 per cent more likely to report anxiety and depression. While they are more likely to exhibit psychological concerns compared to previous generations, they are also more likely to be vocal about their mental health concerns and seek help.”
The active ingredient in Serenity is a steam extract of lavender oil which has been extensively clinically studied as a frontline solution to anxiety. In a randomized, double-blind clinical trial it out-performed paroxetine (Paxil), a frontline SSRI prescribed for the management of generalized anxiety disorder. The same study also concluded that lavender oil extract “…is efficacious and well tolerated in patients with GAD (generalize anxiety disorder) … 1/8and 3/8 can be terminated after 10 weeks of treatment with the full therapeutic dose without down-titration and without causing symptoms of withdrawal.”
Mikra is pushing biosciences beyond the expected with the belief that it is possible to add more active, vigorous, enjoyable, and valuable years to your life through protecting and maintaining your cellular health.
Lifeist is committed to bringing natural products — backed by real science — to current and future customers and looks forward to introducing new products in the first half of 2024.
by Grow Up Conference | Nov 30, 2023 | Grow Opportunity, Media Partners
(Globe Newswire) San Diego and Toronto — StateHouse Holdings Inc., a California-focused, vertically integrated cannabis company, today announced its financial results for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2023, and provided additional business updates. The unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements for Q3 2023, as well as the corresponding management’s discussion and analysis are available for download from the company’s investor website, statehouseholdings.com, and on the company’s SEDAR profile. Unless otherwise indicated, all dollar amounts in this press release are denominated in U.S. currency.
Q3 2023 financial highlights
— Q3 2023 net revenues were $25.5 million, compared with $30.8 million in Q3 2022. Retail revenues were $13.2 million, representing 51.8 per cent of total sales for Q3 2023, compared to $16.5 million or 53.6 per cent of total sales in Q3 2022.
— Manufacturing revenues were $11.7 million, representing 45.9 per cent of total sales for Q3 2023, compared to $13.2 million or 42.7 per cent of total sales in Q3 2022.
— Wholesale revenues were $0.6 million, representing 2.2 per cent of total sales for Q3 2023, compared to $1.2 million or 3.9 per cent of total sales in Q3 2022.
Management commentary
“Our premier products continue to captivate the market and are proving popular with discerning California customers. California is at the center of cannabis culture and our leadership position has empowered us with necessary insights and capabilities to create brands and products that resonate with consumers. Our STASH loyalty program is an important differentiator, and we were thrilled to celebrate over 292,363 enrolled members as of November 26, 2023. Approximately two thirds of our revenues are generated from STASH members. Establishing customer loyalty and garnering insights from our customers provides us with a strong foundation for the future. We are confident that firmly establishing ourselves in California will provide a competitive edge once we can introduce our west coast brands and products to new markets.” — ” Ed Schmults, CEO, StateHouse
“Demand remained strong throughout the quarter and our on-going focus on operating efficiencies has further enhanced our ability to keep up with demand. We’ve implemented new processes, including automated trimming and pre-roll production, as well as improvements to our lighting and air circulation in our greenhouses. With these enhancements, we have continued to improve our yields and the quality of our products. In addition, we are thrilled to be starting our new managed facility located in Humboldt County. Together with Pelorus, we are applying our cultivation expertise to bring this facility up to the quality standards expected from such a premier location. This new line of business is an exciting development for us as we are exploring multiple opportunities to further expand this service offering. Throughout the year we have strengthened our financial position and increased our capabilities to advance our leadership position. In 2024 we will continue to focus on success in California to prepare for the future, backed by our strong cultivation, popular brands, and high-quality retail footprint.”
Q3 2023 operational highlights
— Strengthened the company’s financial positioning with a capital infusion and revised debt obligations through an agreement with Pelorus Capital Group. Under the agreement the repayment date of the Series A Loan agreement has been extended to February 10, 2027, and including a incremental term loan of $7.5 million to bring the total principal amount of the Series A Loan to $15.0 million.
— Enhanced strategic capabilities through a new managed services arrangement with Pelorus where StateHouse will operate Pelorus’ cultivation facility located in Humboldt County. StateHouse is providing Pelorus with its cultivation and operational expertise as well as services including human resources, legal and compliance, post-harvest production and processing, contract manufacturing, distribution, and safety management.
— Bolstered senior management team with the appointment of Zed Schlott as Vice President of Retail. Zed is an experienced cannabis executive with over a decade of experience in retail operations, leadership and business analysis.
Subsequent highlights
— Entered into a sales agency agreement with Stinson Brands, Inc., under which StateHouse will sell Stinson Brands products through its sales team and in its Harborside and Urbn Leaf dispensaries across California. These brands include Kikoko, a cannabis botanical wellness company focused on offering women plant-based alternatives.
— Appointed Davidson & Company LLP, CPA as the company’s auditor.
Operations update
Total revenue in Q3 2023 was $25.5 million, representing sequential growth of $0.2 million despite the ongoing competition, price compression, a reduction in retail foot traffic and the closure of the company’s Seaside store. With better utilization of raw material through vertical integration, the company has continued to generate strong gross profit before biological asset adjustments with a gross profit of $11.4 million or 44.9 per cent of total revenue.
Additionally, the company remains committed to reducing operating expenses, implementing additional changes during the quarter that have reduced annualized operating expenses from the prior quarter by approximately $2.3 million. These reductions have been achieved through a comprehensive evaluation of company operations, including process improvements, outsourcing of distribution, upgraded and consolidated technology, and the elimination of redundant operations and service providers.
Management continues to explore the potential sale of various non-core assets, which is expected to generate approximately $7-10 million of non-dilutive capital to strengthen its balance sheet and fund its growth objectives.
The company has continued to execute on improvements at its cultivation operations, with significant enhancements being made at its Salinas facility. The company expects flower yields and efficiency to improve through 2024 due to infrastructure investments that will increase CO2 distribution, which are expected to increase cannabis yields and potency.
In its retail operations, the company has focused on increasing profitability despite competitive pressures related to sales discounting. Gross margins have held steady as the company achieved its goal of in-house branded products representing over 50 per cent of total retail sales. In connection with this effort, subsequent to quarter-end, StateHouse has sold its Grossmont store and property.
The company continues to add new automation to its manufacturing operation as it pushes to lower costs while enhancing the quality of its products. New product innovation, new flavors and new product sizes have hit the market in Q3 and will continue to flow as the company revitalizes its product line to enhance competitiveness. The company has a goal for new product sales to reach 20 per cent of total sales by the end of Q4 2023.
The company has completed a number of integration milestones to establish itself as a leading California cannabis company. StateHouse is now well positioned as a focused, integrated CPG business with proprietary production, processing, brands, and retail stores. This strong platform should provide the foundation for growth, as well as improvements in profitability.
by Grow Up Conference | Nov 30, 2023 | Media Partners, Stratcann
The Ontario Cannabis Store (OCS) will be testing high-THC cannabis products sold in Ontario as part of a new pilot program launching in January.
The new program will identify cannabis flower products for secondary testing if OCS’s quality assurance team determines it falls within their threshold for “high THC.”
The cannabis wholesaler is keeping the specific threshold secret to help protect against producers intentionally seeking to come in under.
The program will only apply to new SKUs entering the OCS warehouse and will not currently include products sold through flow-through.
The OCS will cover the cost of testing, which will be done through a third-party lab, Sigma Analytical Services. Any products within an acceptable range of variance (± 15%) will be released for sale.
Producers whose product falls outside of that range will have five days to dispute any results that find their product’s true THC level is not aligned with what is stated on the label.
If disputed, the OCS will send it back to the same third-party lab for more testing. If it fails again, the product will be sent back to the producer at their cost.
The issue of high THC products, primarily cannabis flower, is contentious in the cannabis industry, and not limited to Canada or to the regulated industry.
While research often shows that the THC percentage in most cannabis flower is in the high teens to low twenties, increasingly, many cannabis flowers on the market advertise having well over 30 percent, something considered statistically improbable but not impossible.
The goal, says OCS, is to not only check against specific label claims but also to evaluate the larger claims and concerns that many cannabis products, especially cannabis flower products, have highly inflated THC levels on their labels.
“We look forward to leveraging the data from this initiative to further engage government and industry partners, and to support the development of broader testing and sampling standards as we enable a vibrant cannabis marketplace,” said OCS COO Denny Palarchio in a memo sent out to industry.
Such instances have prompted many in the industry, from labs to producers, consumers, and retailers, to call on the federal and even provincial governments to do more to ensure that THC levels reported on labels are accurate.
Earlier this year, Rob O’Brien, the CEO and CSO of Supra Research and Development in Kelowna, BC, shared his own independent testing results online from 46 different cannabis products he purchased from BC Cannabis Stores.
Earlier in 2023, Heath Canada announced it was launching a data-gathering program on cannabis markets in Canada that will include sampling and testing of both legal and illegal products currently in the market.
As part of the program, Health Canada’s Regulatory Operations and Enforcement Branch (ROEB) Cannabis Laboratory will randomly purchase cannabis products from authorized retailers in Canada. It will also work with various law enforcement agencies to test samples of illicit cannabis products.
Health Canada routinely inspects cannabis facilities and conducts secondary testing on cannabis, but maintains it does not inspect cannabis labs that provide the results used by these cannabis producers.
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by Grow Up Conference | Nov 30, 2023 | Cannabis Prospect Magazine, Media Partners
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by Grow Up Conference | Nov 30, 2023 | Cannabis Prospect Magazine, Media Partners
by Grow Up Conference | Nov 30, 2023 | Cannabis News Wire, Media Partners
An examination of the genetic makeup of more than a million individuals, spearheaded by researchers at Yale, has provided valuable insights into the biological foundations of marijuana use disorder and how it relates to mental health issues, substance misuse (including tobacco) and potentially even a higher risk of lung cancer.
The study examined the genomes of participants from a range of ancestry groups, utilizing information from many genomic databases in addition to the extensive genetic data bank of the United States Veterans Affairs’ Million Veteran Program (MVP).The analysis revealed many genetic variations connected to marijuana use disorder, providing insight into a range of behavioral and physical problems related to the condition.
The study, published in the “Nature Genetics Journal” this month, was led by Daniel Levy, an assistant professor of psychiatry, and Joel Gelernter, a professor at the Foundations Fund of Psychiatry and Genetics and Neuroscience.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 48 million individuals, or 18% of the American population, used cannabis at least once in 2019, making cannabis the most widely used federally illegal substance in the country. Previous research indicates that roughly 10% of cannabis users develop an addiction, while three out of ten users have a marijuana use disorder, which is defined as an unfavorable pattern of use that results in clinical impairment or suffering. Furthermore, another study found that those who began using marijuana throughout childhood or adolescence and who use it more regularly have a higher chance of developing the disorder.
The newly unveiled genetic findings provide nuanced views into the underpinnings of this phenomenon and its potential ramifications on health. Notably, certain genetic variants associated with marijuana use disorder were identified in genes responsible for encoding three distinct types of neuron receptors, indicating an elevated risk of developing this disorder.
Intriguingly, there was a correlation found between these same genetic variations and an elevated risk of lung cancer. The researchers, however, underscore the necessity for further investigation to disentangle the influences of tobacco smoking and other factors on cancer diagnosis from those associated with cannabis use.
Joel Gelernter emphasized the significance of this study, labeling it the most extensive genome-wide exploration of marijuana use disorder to date. He also noted that as cannabis legalization and decriminalization efforts gain momentum across states, studies of this nature are instrumental in comprehending the accompanying health risks.
This study helps to clarify that individuals who develop cannabis use disorder often have a genetic predisposition to this condition. For that reason, most members of the general population can safely use marijuana products from any of the many companies such as Curaleaf Holdings Inc. (CSE: CURA) (OTCQX: CURLF) for recreational or medical reasons without having a high risk of developing CUD.
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