#NORML #News Source: @norml @WeedConnection Posted By: norml@weedconnection.com media :: news - Tue, 25 Jun 2019 04:20:21 PST
Study: Cannabis Protective Against Diabetes Among Those Overweight
Quebec, Canada: A history of cannabis use is associated with lower fasting insulin levels in obese subjects, according to data published in The Journal of Diabetes.
Canadian researchers assessed the relationship between cannabis consumption and fasting insulin levels and insulin resistance in a nationally representative sample of over 129,000 adults. They reported that both current and past cannabis use was associated with significant and persistent changes in insulin levels in obese subjects compared to non-users. However, these changes were only evident in overweight subjects.
"[W]e found that lifetime marijuana use is significantly associated with lower fasting insulin and HOMA-IR (a measure of insulin resistance) in obese individuals," authors concluded. "We also found that, a long time (> 10 years) after cessation, former users showed significant lower levels of fasting insulin and HOMA-IR scores than did never users, independent of their frequency of use in the past."
The data is consistent with prior observational studies finding that those with history of marijuana use possess more favorable indices related to diabetic control than do non-users.
Full text of the study, "Lifetime use of marijuana use in relation to insulin resistance in lean, overweight, and obese US adults," appears in The Journal of Diabetes.
Study: Marijuana Card Holders Typically Reduce Their Use of Prescription Drugs
Providence, RI: State-registered medical cannabis card holders typically report reducing or eliminating their use of prescription pharmaceuticals, including opioids, according to data published in the journal Substance Use & Misuse.
A team of investigators from Brown University in Rhode Island conducted a series of qualitative interviews with medical marijuana card holders.
Respondents frequently reported cannabis to be "more effective for certain conditions" than conventional medications and also said that it possessed fewer adverse side effects. Seventy-six percent of respondents reported being able to either "cut back" or "completely stop taking other prescription medications once they started using marijuana for medical purposes."
The findings are consistent with prior studies – such as those here, here, here, here, and here – reporting that patients enrolled in medical cannabis access programs frequently mitigate or eliminate their use of opioids and other medications following the initiation of cannabis therapy.
Full text of the study, "Marijuana as a substitute for prescription medications: A qualitative study," appears in Substance Use & Misuse.
Court: California Law Doesn't Criminalize Marijuana Possession by Inmates
Sacramento, CA: The possession of small amounts of cannabis by inmates is not explicitly criminalized under the state's marijuana laws, justices for the 3rd District Court of Appeals have ruled.
Justices determined that "the plain language" of the law excludes marijuana consumption by those incarcerated, but does not criminalize activities specific to its possession. Nonetheless, the Department of Corrections may still sanction the behavior as a violation of prison rules.
The case is California v Raybon.
Louisiana: Governor Signs Herbal Cannabis Access Bill
Baton Rouge, LA: Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards has signed legislation into law permitting licensed dispensaries to provide herbal formulations of cannabis to qualified patients.
House Bill 358 permits patients to obtain "medical marijuana in a form to be administered in a metered-dose inhaler." The new law takes effect on August 1, 2019.
Although lawmakers initially established rules regulating the production and dispensing of medical cannabis products in 2015, the law is yet to be fully operational.
In March, Florida lawmakers also repealed its blanket ban on the inhalation of herbal forms of medical cannabis.
NORML has long argued against limitations on the inhalation of herbal cannabis, opining that inhalation provides patients with the ability to self-titrate their dose and is associated with the rapid and consistent onset of drug effect.
Arizona: Governor Signs Law Mandating Quality Control Testing for Medical Cannabis Products
Phoenix, AZ: Republican Gov. Doug Ducey has signed legislation into law amending the state's medical cannabis access program.
Senate Bill 1494 requires that all medical marijuana products sold in licensed dispensaries be independently lab tested by November 1, 2020. Testing labs must be accredited and must have no financial relationship with any dispensaries. The measure also reduces application fees for medical cannabis card holders.
An estimated 200,000 Arizonans are registered with the state to access cannabis therapy.
Ohio: Cincinnati Council Members Vote to Eliminate Marijuana Possession Penalties
Cincinnati, OH: Members of the Cincinnati City Council have voted 5 to 3 in favor of a municipal measure eliminating criminal and civil penalties for marijuana possession. The new local law takes effect on July 12.
Under the ordinance, activities involving the possession of up to 100 grams of marijuana will no longer be subject to local penalties. Cincinnati is one of a growing number of Ohio municipalities, including Athens and Toledo, to eliminate marijuana possession penalties.
State Attorney General Dave Yost criticized the city's decision.
Members of the Council are also expected to vote imminently on a separate ordinance facilitating the expungement of prior marijuana possession convictions.
Under state law, the possession of up to 100 grams of cannabis is classified as a minor misdemeanor offense, punishable by a $150 fine.
Oregon: Governor Signs Law Prohibiting Landlords from Discriminating Against Medical Marijuana Patients
Salem, OR: Democratic Gov. Kate Brown has signed legislation, Senate Bill 970, prohibiting landlords from taking discriminatory action against those who either use medical cannabis or possess cannabis-related convictions.
The measure states that a landlord may not take into consideration an applicant's "status as a medical marijuana patient" or whether they have a "conviction based solely on the use or possession of marijuana."
The new law takes effect on January 1, 2020.
Texas: Governor Signs Medical CBD Expansion Law
Austin, TX: Republican Gov. Greg Abbott has signed legislation into law expanding the pool of patents eligible to receive low-THC/high-CBD medical cannabis products.
House Bill 3703 permits those patients diagnosed with autism, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (aka Lou Gehrig's disease), multiple sclerosis, seizure disorders, incurable neurodegenerative disorders and/or terminal cancer to be eligible to register in the state's limited cannabis access program. The measure also removes the requirement that patients obtain recommendations from two participating physicians prior to enrolling in the program.
