Public perceptions about cannabis have come a long way over the past couple of decades. For the generations that grew up during the war on drugs era, cannabis was framed as a dangerous illicit drug that acted as a gateway to more hardcore drug use and increased criminal activity in communities. However, as states such as California began legalizing cannabis for medical use over two decades ago and state-level cannabis criminalization steadily reduced, attitudes toward cannabis across the country began to improve.
These days, most nationwide polls show that the majority of the country is in favor of legalizing medical cannabis use or at least decriminalizing the use and possession of marijuana.
Despite the fact that marijuana enjoys growing nationwide support, there seems to be a mismatch between public interest and accurate cannabis knowledge. In fact, with support for cannabis growing, the gap between public interest in the controversial drug and education about it seems to be growing even faster.
This gap is largely caused by the proliferation of misinformation and inaccurate information in America’s state-level cannabis industry, resulting in a population that has an immense interest in cannabis but doesn’t always receive the right information regarding the plant. On the other end of the spectrum are members of the public who are interested in cannabis but have no strong inclination to learn.
Some misconceptions about cannabis have become so entrenched that budtenders, or individuals tasked with knowing the most about cannabis and informing interested customers, often talk about things such as the “indica and sativa effect,” even though they aren’t scientifically accurate.
Another aspect of the nascent cannabis sector that is rife with misinformation is THC potency in cannabis and cannabis-infused products. With extraction methods becoming more refined in recent years, cannabis companies are developing increasingly potent THC products.
Many companies tout their products’ high THC levels as a top selling point to capitalize on the public’s increasing obsession with high THC products. A lot of these companies claim to be interested in teaching consumers about cannabis, but they continue to push high-THC cannabis strains as high-quality products without stating their potential side effects.
Conflating high-THC products with the industry standard has led many consumers to mistakenly believe that more potent cannabis products are inherently superior to low-THC products. This assumption causes many to miss out on the purported benefits of consuming whole cannabis with all the cannabinoids (including THC), terpenes, flavonoids and other plant compounds.
Local, state and federal entities now need to work with industry actors such as Tilray Brands Inc. (NASDAQ: TLRY) to bridge the information gap evident within the members of the public.
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CNW420 spotlights the latest developments in the rapidly evolving cannabis industry through the release of two informative articles each business day. Our concise, informative content serves as a gateway for investors interested in the legalized cannabis sector and provides updates on how regulatory developments may impact financial markets. Articles are released each business day at 4:20 a.m. and 4:20 p.m. Eastern – our tribute to the time synonymous with cannabis culture. If marijuana and the burgeoning industry surrounding it are on your radar, CNW420 is for you! Check back daily to stay up-to-date on the latest milestones in the fast -changing world of cannabis.
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Congressional lawmakers have filed a bill titled the Kratom Consumer Protection Act to regulate kratom and kratom products nationally. The measure is slated to attract bipartisan support in the Senate and House of Representatives and has a decent chance of reaching President Joe Biden’s desk.
Utah Republican Senator Mike Lee sponsored the Kratom Consumer Protection Act while New Jersey Senator Cory Booker is expected to join as a cosponsor once Congress resumes session next week. Booker was also a cosponsor for a 2022 bill dubbed the Federal Clarity for Kratom Consumers Act that would have ensured that consumers gain access to kratom while protecting consumers from any legal reprisals for possessing or using kratom.
The measure would have barred the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) from imposing kratom requirements considered more restrictive compared to those allowed by the l FDA Act (FDAC).
On the House of Representatives side, Representatives Jack Bergman and Mark Pocan have sponsored the recently filed Kratom Consumer Protection Act. Representative Marc Haddow explains that with the exception of its name, the new measure features elements that are nearly identical to the 2022 kratom measure sponsored by Booker.
Haddow, also a senior fellow on public policy at the American Kratom Association, says creating a “properly regulated kratom marketplace” will allow for safe and equitable access to properly manufactured kratom products. He thanked the sponsors of the recently filed bill for acknowledging that consumers should be protected from the “unregulated kratom marketplace.”
While this unregulated market has allowed many Americans to access and use kratom for therapeutic reasons, the lack of regulation has resulted in the proliferation of contaminated products that can result in severe side effects and even death. A statement from Haddow called the kratom measure’s introduction the beginning of a “very important initiative” for every American kratom consumer and advocate as well as the American Kratom Association.
He called on the public and advocates to join the bipartisan team of lawmakers behind the bill and convince the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to regulate kratom rather than ban it outright. Proper regulation would prevent the growth of a large kratom black market while ensuring that U.S. residents have the freedom to access safe kratom products.
The measure would compel the FDA to begin evaluating the safety and health of kratom while prohibiting it from issuing kratom regulations that are more restrictive than food and dietary supplement regulations. It would also require the HHS secretary to hold at least one public meeting on the scientifically proven benefits and public health risks associated with kratom use.
Enterprises such as Seelos Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: SEEL) that focus on developing medicinal formulations from psychoactive substances such as ketamine may have a keen interest in the proposed law on kratom because it could herald future drug-policy reforms at the federal level.
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.
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I have realised after many years of following the Toltec way to knowledge, that the path with heart as Don Juan described must be different for every person.
What the heart desires in each individual, is quite disparate in its range. Therefore, all paths with heart will be determined by the quality of the being. The thing I believe is that light resides in the heart, and it is really a matter of how much you shine! If you hide your light under a bushel, so to speak; to paraphrase a fellow shaman and sorcerer, then you cannot hope to arrive at peace, happiness, and true Self….
So it is, that where the connection with the heart is strong then the path with heart is clear; and the light shone O’ so brilliantly…..
But when the connection to the heart is dulled, hidden and sullied then the decisions we are forced to make, are essentially uninformed.
The decisions we choose in this confused state, are without principle or direction, and will not deliver you a positive state of being. Simply it does not reflect a path with heart at all. There will be no well-being!
So a path with heart is a distinct singular path, it is a choosing within the individual with the brilliance of the light that they perceive – that which we love will determine our choosing, and Our desire is principally arrived at by that which we crave
Therefore, for me having concluded these ideas, I looked to the Buddhist attitude which states: that actions done for the benefit of the entirety of creation, for all the beings without exception – for all sentience
Then this action is truly, the path with heart… having such an attitude; exemplary!!
If we desire peace for ourselves then that which we need to give is peace to others, this is the cosmic law. Don Juan cited impeccability as being just this “ the path of least resistance” that in terms of Nagualism is described as the most efficient use of energy. But a path where one tessellates with the outside world perfectly, causes the least resistance, one travels furthest with least energy. Our impeccable nature at the root of our being is our best guide.
Our impeccability, honesty, truth, understanding, and courage, our integrity our honour and our intent, will determine the path with heart….
State cannabis authorities, producers and various stakeholders are currently contending with the challenge of ensuring consumer safety in an environment where lab-testing regulations and enforcement practices vary widely across the nation, resulting in frequent large-scale product recalls.
At present, each state adopts its own approach to conducting lab tests for both medical and recreational cannabis, assessing inspections, potency, contaminants and production standards. This fragmented approach has led to inconsistent regulations for testing and raised concerns about whether safeguarding consumers truly ranks as a top priority for industry players.
Americans for Safe Access (ASA) founder Steph Sherer attributes this patchwork approach to the overarching federal prohibition of cannabis.
Medical marijuana producers in Maine have contended that their products are inherently safe and, therefore, should be exempt from mandatory testing, despite two separate analyses revealing high levels of pesticides and contaminants in their samples, rendering them unfit for sale in the regulated adult-use market.
Arizona has also faced multiple recalls this year due to potential salmonella and aspergillus contamination in marijuana flowers and processed products. Experts suggest that such recalls could be prevented through the implementation of more stringent marijuana lab standards, the establishment of a statewide tracking system or adherence to Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards.
In Oregon, the Liquor and Marijuana Commission decided to permit the sale of products testing positive for aspergillus, a type of mold responsible for product recalls in several markets. This decision came after a lawsuit filed by cultivators arguing that enforcing the state’s new zero-tolerance policy for aspergillus would drive them out of business.
Sherer criticized the commission’s decision, describing it as “criminal.” Aspergillus may not harm healthy individuals, he said, but those with compromised immune systems or lung diseases face a higher risk of infection.
To address this situation, some experts propose the use of irradiation to eliminate contaminants such as mold. However, concerns persist that such processes may compromise product quality, underscoring the need to balance consumer safety with personal responsibility.
The potential rescheduling of marijuana from a Schedule 1 to a Schedule 3 drug by the DEA could be a key step toward federal oversight of marijuana testing and production standards. ASA envisions the creation of a federal office of medical marijuana under the U.S Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which would collaborate with state governments to formulate comprehensive cannabis testing requirements.
The regulation of cannabinoid-containing products, on the other hand, remains complex, as demonstrated by the slow progress in overseeing CBD products since the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill. It remains unclear how lab standards would evolve following rescheduling.
Marijuana enterprises such as Verano Holdings Corp. (CSE: VRNO) (OTCQX: VRNOF) would appreciate uniform nationwide standards that bring uniformity to cannabis products sold in any of the markets where such products are legal because such regulations would clear a lot of uncertainty in the rules players have to conform to.
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CNW420 spotlights the latest developments in the rapidly evolving cannabis industry through the release of two informative articles each business day. Our concise, informative content serves as a gateway for investors interested in the legalized cannabis sector and provides updates on how regulatory developments may impact financial markets. Articles are released each business day at 4:20 a.m. and 4:20 p.m. Eastern – our tribute to the time synonymous with cannabis culture. If marijuana and the burgeoning industry surrounding it are on your radar, CNW420 is for you! Check back daily to stay up-to-date on the latest milestones in the fast -changing world of cannabis.
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When many people contemplate the euphoria induced by marijuana consumption, their thoughts inevitably gravitate toward THC, the plant’s principal psychoactive constituent. However, a recent study lends support to the notion of the “entourage effect,” demonstrating that marijuana products containing a wider variety of natural cannabinoids result in an even more potent psychoactive high than those made from pure THC.
This research used innovative electroencephalogram (EEG) technology, augmented by AI capabilities, to gauge the euphoria that individuals experienced while vaporizing two distinct products. The first was a full-spectrum live rosin with an average concentration of 85% THC, complemented by other natural terpenes and cannabinoids. The second was a high-purity THC oil boasting a potency range of 82% to 85%.
Twenty-eight adults took part in the study, donning EEG headsets created by the marijuana technology company Zentrela. The participants ingested two hits (8 mg) of the first or second product through a vape made by PAX, which also sponsored the research.
Before consuming the products, the participants underwent a baseline reading. Over the ensuing 90 minutes, the EEG observed cerebral activity across eight distinct brain regions. Subsequently, the collected data were translated into psychoactive effect levels (PEL), which are expressed on a standard scale ranging from 0% to 100%. The outcomes unveiled that the full-spectrum live rosin, containing THC along with other terpenes and cannabinoids, exhibited a slightly swifter onset: three minutes. Results showed a potency reading of 20.8% at the outset and even more substantial potencies at the 15-minute peak (40%) and 90-minute mark (30.2%).
On the other hand, the pure THC product exhibited an average onset time of four minutes with an initial potency of 13.5%. At its peak, the potency registered at 19.1%, subsequently declining to 18.1%.
In essence, the study, while yet to undergo peer review or publication in a scientific journal, lends credence to the entourage effect hypothesis. It suggests that cannabis containing a more varied composition of its innate constituents yields a more potent experience. This finding holds significance for patients, as the entourage effect could potentially fortify specific therapeutic applications.
Brian Witlin, PAX’s vice president of product development, stated in a press release, “Consumers seeking psychoactive effects frequently base their choices on THC content, which is somewhat misleading.”
Beyond enhancing consumer awareness, the study’s findings can also empower marijuana companies to devise more targeted products by harnessing data regarding the distinct combinations of cannabinoids that engender diverse effects.
This study isn’t the first to spotlight the comparative advantages of diverse marijuana products. In 2018, a study revealed that patients with epilepsy who utilize plant-based CBD extracts as opposed to refined CBD products have better health results and experience fewer negative side effects.
For companies that sell whole-flower products, such as SNDL Inc. (NASDAQ: SNDL), the study’s findings that the entourage effect triggers more intense experiences for cannabis users makes a case for the continued development of products that leverage the entire spectrum of cannabinoids and other constituents rather than individual compounds.
About CNW420
CNW420 spotlights the latest developments in the rapidly evolving cannabis industry through the release of two informative articles each business day. Our concise, informative content serves as a gateway for investors interested in the legalized cannabis sector and provides updates on how regulatory developments may impact financial markets. Articles are released each business day at 4:20 a.m. and 4:20 p.m. Eastern – our tribute to the time synonymous with cannabis culture. If marijuana and the burgeoning industry surrounding it are on your radar, CNW420 is for you! Check back daily to stay up-to-date on the latest milestones in the fast -changing world of cannabis.
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A recent study from The Ohio State University’s Center for Psychedelic Drug Research sought to determine if psychiatrists, psychologists and social workers are on the same page regarding the swiftly growing psychedelic therapy field. The research team was specifically interested in assessing whether these providers were aligned about deploying psychedelics as treatments for various mental-health conditions.
Psychedelic-based therapies are predicted to revolutionize the global psychiatry industry over the next couple of decades, thanks to the purported medical benefits of several psychedelic drugs. A growing body of scientific literature has connected numerous psychedelics to significant improvements in mental health, discovering that psychedelics such as psilocybin, LSD and DMT can deliver potent long-term benefits at relatively minimal doses.
Compared to traditional mental-health treatments such as antidepressants, which require daily use and can have debilitating side effects, psychedelic-based treatments for mental health seem to provide long-term relief with barely any adverse side effects, making them a much more efficient alternative.
Now that psychedelics have exhibited medical efficacy against debilitating mental-health conditions such as treatment-resistant depression, senior researcher and study author Stacy Bradburry Armstrong and her team investigated the psychedelic-related beliefs and attitudes among various medical professionals. The researchers analyzed data collected in a trio of different surveys of mental-health professionals including psychiatrists, clinical social workers and psychologists.
The data covered the participants’ beliefs and attitudes about the perceived effectiveness and acceptability of psychedelic-assisted therapy as well as demographic information on matters such as years of medical experience, gender, and age. A total of 366 psychologists, 309 clinical social workers and 181 psychiatrists completed the team’s survey.
Interestingly, the team discovered that psychiatrists, psychologists and clinical social workers did not have aligned beliefs and attitudes about psychedelic-assisted therapy. While psychiatrists have a much better understanding of the novel treatment compared to clinical social workers, psychologists are significantly more accepting of psychedelic-assisted therapy compared to clinical social workers. Additionally, psychologists considered psychedelic-assisted therapy to be “significantly more reasonable” compared to both psychiatrists and social workers.
The researchers also found that social workers were much more likely to perceive the cons of psychedelic therapy compared to psychiatrists and psychologists, while the two latter professions were more likely to believe in the “permanent improvements” caused by psychedelic-assisted therapy compared to clinical social workers.
According to Armstrong, the only consistency among the three health groups was that they were all relatively neutral on the effectiveness of psychedelic-assisted therapy.
With the FDA expected to approve the first psychedelic for medical use sometime next year, Armstrong says work is needed to prepare the medical workforce for the advent of psychedelic-assisted treatments.
That work of preparing the medical workforce for psychedelic-assisted treatments is likely to involve many stakeholders, including psychedelics startups such as Compass Pathways PLC (NASDAQ: CMPS), federal and state government agencies, as well as nongovernment actors such as the academia.
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.
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