#NORML #News Source: @norml @WeedConnection Posted By: norml@weedconnection.com media :: news - Tue, 04 Feb 2020 04:20:21 PST
Clinical Trial: CBD Administration Mitigates Stress Levels in Subjects with a Clinical High Risk of Psychosis
London, United Kingdom: The short-term administration of cannabidiol (CBD) is associated with reduced stress levels in subjects diagnosed with a clinically high risk (CHR) of psychosis, according to clinical trial data published in the journal Psychopharmacology.
A team of investigators from Italy, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom assessed the effects of CBD administration on experimentally-induced stress in a randomized, placebo-controlled trial. CBD recipients were administered 600mg of cannabidiol daily for one week.
Researchers reported that subjects who received CBD displayed reduced levels of stress as compared to those who received the placebo and/or healthy controls. "Collectively, these findings suggest that CHR participants under placebo displayed abnormal neuroendocrine and psychological responses to experimental stress compared with HC (healthy control) participants, and that 7- day treatment with CBD may potentially help partially attenuate these altered responses to experimental stress in CHR participants."
They concluded, "Our results provide preliminary evidence that CBD may affect the altered neuroendocrine as well as the psychological responses to acute stress in daily life in CHR patients."
Prior clinical trials have similarly reported that specific doses of CBD (300mgs) reduce anxiety levels in both patients with Parkinson's disease and in healthy volunteers.
Full text of the study, "Effects of short-term cannabidiol treatment on response to social stress in subjects at clinical high risk for developing psychosis," appears in Psychopharmacology.
Study: Food Intake Influences Effects of Oral THC
Edmonton, Canada: Food intake prior to the administration of oral THC influences drug duration and drug effect, according to clinical trial data published in the journal Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research.
Canadian researchers assessed the absorption patterns and effects of oral THC capsules in 28 subjects under either a fasted condition or after a high-fat meal.
Investigators reported that consuming a high-fat meal prior to oral THC dosing resulting in delayed drug onset, but enhanced overall drug effects.
"Altogether, these findings suggest that the presence of a high-fat meal before administrating an oral dose of THC increases the levels of both THC and 11-OH-THC, but the rate at which this occurs is slower," authors wrote. Overall, they acknowledged that oral doses of THC were "well-tolerated" by subjects in either fed or fasted states.
Authors also identified higher THC plasma levels in female subjects than in male subjects. However, they theorized that these differences may be attributable to "weight differences between [the] male and female participants and not solely the result of sex difference."
Full text of the study, "Human pharmacokinetic parameters of orally administered delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol capsules are altered by fed versus fasted conditions and sex differences," appears in Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research.
Study: Maternal Marijuana Use Not Independently Associated with Lower Infant Birthweight
London, United Kingdom: Cannabis smoking during pregnancy, absent concurrent tobacco smoking, is not associated with lower birthweight outcomes, according to data published in the Journal of Perinatal Medicine.
A team of investigators from Kings College in London assessed the association between the maternal use of tobacco and cannabis on infant birthweight and head circumference.
Researchers reported that self-reported tobacco smoking during pregnancy, as well as the combined use of tobacco and cannabis, was associated with reductions in birthweight and head circumference. By contrast, "cannabis use alone was not associated with a significant reduction in birthweight or head circumference."
The study's finding is consistent with those of prior studies, including a meta-analysis which concluded, "Maternal marijuana use during pregnancy is not an independent risk factor for adverse neonatal outcomes after adjusting for confounding factors."
Full text of the study, "Maternal smoking and cannabis use during pregnancy and infant outcomes," appears in the Journal of Perinatal Medicine.
Alaska: State Regulators Approve First On-Site Marijuana Use Locations
Juneau, AK: Officials with the Alaska's Marijuana Control Board have issued their first-ever permits to retailers who wish to allow customers to consume cannabis on the premises.
While a handful of cities in other states — such as West Hollywood, California and Springfield, Illinois — have similarly issued municipal licenses to allow for on-site cannabis consumption, Alaska is the first jurisdiction to provide state approval for such facilities.
In Colorado, state regulators are in the process of facilitating regulations governing the establishment of "marijuana hospitality spaces." Massachusetts regulators are also in the process of rolling out a pilot program to permit on-site marijuana consumption facilities in up to a dozen self-selected cities throughout the state.
For more information, visit the Alaska Alcohol and Marijuana Control Office.
Missouri: Medical Cannabis Dispensary Licenses Awarded
Jefferson City, MO: State regulators last week began issuing the first licenses for medical cannabis providers.
Under the provisions enacted by a 2018 voter-approved ballot initiative, officials with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services must license a minimum of 24 dispensaries in each of the state's eight congressional districts.
Regulators have already registered 27,000 patients to participate in the cannabis access program. Licensed dispensaries are expected to be operational by this spring.
Additional information about the program is available online from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.
Texas: Austin City Council Approves Marijuana Deprioritization Resolution
Austin, TX: Members of the Austin City Council have unanimously approved a resolution which forbids city officials from spending funds for the purpose of prosecuting low-level marijuana possession offenses.
The sponsor of the resolution called the measure necessary in order to reprioritize limited police resources and to arrest the racial disproportionality in marijuana arrests.
Texas NORML Executive Director Jax Finkel praised the change in municipal policy. "Austin officials should be doing the absolute most they can within their discretion to prevent these arrests," she said. "This resolution prevents taxpayers' funds from being wasted on enforcing this failed policy and refocuses monies where they belong, protecting our city from violent and property crimes."
The local ordinance also applies to activities involving the personal possession of cannabis concentrates, edibles, or vapor cartridges.
Under state law, low-level marijuana possession offenses are classified as criminal misdemeanors, punishable by up to 180 days in jail, a $2,000 fine, and a criminal record. Annually, Texas police make over 60,000 marijuana possession arrests – one of the highest totals in the nation.
Ohio: Cleveland City Council Approves Marijuana Depenalization Ordinance
Cleveland, OH: Members of the Cleveland City Council have approved municipal legislation depenalizing marijuana possession offenses. The measure now awaits final approval from the city's mayor.
Under the proposal, activities involving the possession of up to 200 grams of cannabis will no longer be punishable by either an arrest, a fine, or a criminal record. Marijuana will still be defined as contraband and will be confiscated by local law enforcement.
The measure is similar to those approved in several other Ohio cities, including Athens and Columbus, which also reduce or eliminate municipal penalties for the possession of up to 200 grams of marijuana.
Under state law, the possession of marijuana in amounts above 100 grams but below 200 grams is punishable by up to 30 days in jail.
