#NORML #News Source: @norml @WeedConnection Posted By: norml@weedconnection.com media :: news - Thu, 03 Feb 2017 04:20:21 PST
Clinical Trial: THCV Lowers Blood Sugar Levels In Type 2 Diabetics
Derby, United Kingdom: The administration of THCV (tetrahydrocannabivarin), a non-psychoactive component of cannabis, is positively associated with glycemic control in type 2 diabetics, according to the randomized, placebo-controlled data published in the journal Diabetes Care.
Investigators from the University of Nottingham, School of Medicine assessed the twice daily administration of various cannabinoids (CBD or THCV or CBD and THCV in combination) versus placebo over a period of 13 weeks in 62 non-insulin dependent subjects with type 2 diabetes.
Authors reported that the administration of THCV alone "significantly decreased fasting plasma glucose" levels and improved pancreatic cell function. By contrast, other treatment therapies failed to show detectable metabolic effects.
Investigators concluded, "THCV could represent a new therapeutic agent in glycemic control in subjects with type 2 diabetes."
Population-based observational studies have previously reported that cannabis consumers typically possess lower BMI and other favorable indices related to diabetic control compared to those without a history of marijuana use.
Full text of the study, "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," appears in Diabetes Care.
Florida: Health Regulators' Proposed Medical Marijuana Rules Undercut Voter-Approved Amendment
Tallahassee, FL: Proposed rules by the Florida Department of Health to regulate the dispensing of medical cannabis are contrary to the intent of Amendment 2, the ballot initiative approved by 71 percent of voters on Election Day.
Specifically, the draft rules would not permit physicians to recommend cannabis therapy to patients with chronic pain - instead limiting patients to those with one of ten qualifying conditions. As approved by voters, the Amendment provides physicians the discretion to recommend medical marijuana in any instance where they believe that its medical use "would likely outweigh the potential health risks."
The draft rules also seek to significantly curtail the number of licensed medical cannabis cultivators and providers. Public officials are also considering provisions to limit patients from legally accessing herbal forms of the product, instead requiring those in the program to consume cannabis-infused liquids or extracts.
In response to the proposed rules, regulators have scheduled a series of public forums to take place in the coming weeks in Jacksonville, Fort Lauderdale, Tampa, Orlando, and Tallahassee. Concerned citizens may also leave feedback on the Department of Health's website.
Arkansas: Governor Signs Legislation Delaying Enactment Of Voter-Approved Medical Marijuana Initiative
Arkansas Governor Delaying Voter-Approved Medical Marijuana
Little Rock, AR: Lawmakers passed legislation this week to delay the enactment of the state's voter-initiated medical cannabis program.
House Bill 1026, now Act 4, postpones the implementation of the Arkansas Medical Marijuana Amendment by 60 days. Under the new timeline, regulators have until July 1, 2017 to begin accepting applications from those seeking a state license to grow or dispense medical cannabis. Fifty-three percent of voters decided in favor of the Amendment on Election Day.
Because the legislation amends a constitutional amendment, it required the votes of over two-thirds of state lawmakers.
Lawmakers in several states, including Florida, Maine, Massachusetts, and North Dakota, are pushing forward similar legislative efforts to either significantly delay or amend voter-approved marijuana initiatives.
NORML Executive Director Erik Altieri expressed strong criticism toward these proposed changes and delays, stating: "Voters have lived with the failings of marijuana prohibition for far too long already. Lawmakers have a responsibility to abide by the will of the voters and to do so in a timely manner."
Kansas City: Marijuana Decriminalization Measure To Appear On April Ballot
Kansas City, MO: Kansas City voters will decide this April on a municipal ordinance to decriminalize marijuana possession offenses.
The local initiative, spearheaded by Kansas City NORML, would amend citywide penalties for the possession of up to 35 grams of cannabis from a criminal misdemeanor to a civil violation, punishable by a $25 fine. Similar municipal measures are currently in place in St. Louis and in Columbia, Missouri.
Council members voted 12 to 1 last week to place the issue before voters on the April 4 ballot. Kansas City NORML members gathered over 2,000 signatures from registered voters to force the forthcoming pubic vote.
Under a newly enacted state law, first-time offenders who possess ten grams of marijuana or less face a criminal record and a $500 fine, but no jail time. Those defendants convicted of possessing greater quantities of cannabis (up to 35 grams), or who are subsequent offenders, face up to one year in prison and a $2,000 fine.
