#NORML #News Source: @norml @WeedConnection Posted By: norml@weedconnection.com media :: news - Tue, 13 Oct 2020 04:20:21 PST
Vermont Becomes Eleventh State to Legalize Adult-Use Marijuana Sales
Montpelier, VT: Republican Governor Phil Scott has permitted legislation, Senate Bill 54, to become law establishing rules and regulations overseeing the commercial production and retail sale of marijuana to adults. The measure became law absent the Governor's signature.
Vermont lawmakers depenalized the possession and cultivation of small quantities of marijuana by adults in 2018, but that law did not legalize any commercial activities involving either cannabis production or sales. Ten states currently regulate adult-use marijuana sales.
NORML State Policies Coordinator Carly Wolf said: "Ten of the eleven states that have legalized adult-use marijuana possession have also wisely regulated the retail cannabis market; until today, Vermont had been the sole exception.
"This comprehensive legislation was debated and amended over a period of several months by members of both chambers, and it is supported by a majority of Vermont voters. Senate Bill 54 represents an opportunity to bring common-sense controls to the adult-use marijuana marketplace, which is currently unregulated, unlicensed, and untaxed. While the law, as written, is not perfect, we are confident that lawmakers will continue to further amend these proposed rules and regulations accordingly in a manner that both prioritizes public safety as well as the needs of entrepreneurs looking to enter into this space. This is a victory for those who wish to disrupt the illicit marketplace and move forward with an above-ground, regulated cannabis marketplace."
Senate Bill 54 establishes rules and taxation rates governing the licensed commercial production and sale of cannabis and cannabis products to adults. Under the plan, retail products would be subject to a 14 percent excise tax, in addition to the state's six percent general sales tax. The potency of herbal cannabis products will be capped at 30 percent THC while concentrates will be limited to no more than 60 percent THC. Products cannot be packaged in a manner that appears appealing to children. Prior to the operation of any licensed cannabis facility, a municipality will need to hold a vote in favor of permitting commercial activities within their locality.
The new law takes effect on October 1, 2020. However, regulators will not begin licensing cannabis-related businesses and activities until the spring of 2022.
Study: Recent Use of Cannabis Not Associated with Increased Risk of Ischemic Stroke
Jackson, MS: Recent cannabis exposure is not associated with an increased risk of hospitalization due to acute ischemic stroke (AIS), according to data published in the journal Neurology: Clinical Practice.
Investigators affiliated with the University of Mississippi Medical Center assessed the relationship between a positive toxicology test for cannabis upon hospital admission and the likelihood of suffering from AIS.
Researchers reported that those who tested positive solely for cannabis possessed a decreased risk of suffering from AIS. After adjusting for potential confounders, including age and obesity, investigators reported no significant differences in AIS risk among cannabis-positive admissions and those without recent cannabis exposure.
Authors concluded: "This is one of the few studies analyzing the association of recent cannabis use and acute ischemic stroke using admission urine toxicology test independent of polysubstance use. Even though our study has limitations, we did not find an independent association between recent cannabis use and the incidence of acute ischemic stroke. Further studies utilizing urine toxicology tests with larger sample size and including dosage of cannabis exposure should be done."
Prior studies have yielded mixed results with respect to the use of cannabis and the risk of stroke and/or heart disease. NORML has cautioned that those patients with a history of cardiovascular disorders may be at an elevated risk of suffering from adverse events due to the use of cannabis.
Full text of the study, "Association between recent cannabinoid use and acute ischemic stroke," appears in Neurology: Clinical Practice.
Vermont: Governor Signs Legislation Facilitating Expungements of Marijuana Convictions
Montpelier, VT: Republican Governor Phil Scott signed legislation, Senate Bill 234, facilitating the automatic review and expungement of low-level marijuana convictions.
The measure establishes a process whereby those with certain marijuana-related convictions (possession of up to two ounces of cannabis and/or the cultivation of up to four mature plants) will have their convictions reviewed and automatically expunged. Under the new law, courts will have until the end of next year to clear all eligible criminal records. The measure's proponents estimate that as many as 10,000 Vermonters will be eligible to have their records expunged.
The bill also decriminalizes certain marijuana offenses. Under current law, the possession of up to one ounce of cannabis and/or the cultivation of up to two plants for non-commercial purposes is not subject to penalty, but activities involving greater quantities are subject to criminal sanction. Senate Bill 234 reduces the penalty for offenses involving the possession of more than one ounce but less than two ounces of marijuana and/or the cultivation of three plants to a civil fine.
The new law takes effect on January 1, 2021.
Nearly Thirty Percent of Women Report Having Used Cannabis for Menopause Symptoms
San Francisco, CA: Nearly thirty percent of women have either used or are currently consuming cannabis to manage menopause symptoms, according to data to be presented at the annual meeting of The North American Menopause Society.
A team of investigators affiliated with the San Francisco VA Medical Center examined patterns of self-reported cannabis use for menopause symptoms in a sample of 232 female veterans (mean age 56 years).
They reported: "Current or ever use of cannabis for menopause symptom management was reported by 27 percent of all participants, while an additional 10 percent expressed interest in future use. In contrast, only 19 percent reported traditional forms of menopause symptom management, including menopausal hormone therapy."
Cannabis use was most commonly reported among women experiencing hot flashes and night sweats. Some respondents also complained of experiencing insomnia.
Commenting on the study, NORML's Deputy Director Paul Armentano said: "While the therapeutic use of cannabis by veterans is not altogether uncommon, this study is among the first to highlight veterans' use of marijuana for this particular condition. Given cannabis' relatively high rate of use among the women in this cohort, scientists and others would be well-advised to further explore its safety, efficacy, and prevalence among women experiencing menopause."
Authors of the study concluded: "Use of cannabis for menopause symptom management was common in this sample of midlife women veterans in Northern California [where marijuana use is legal.] ... These findings ... highlight the importance of understanding the potential risks, benefits, and effectiveness of cannabis for this indication."
An abstract of the study, "Cannabis use for menopause symptom management among midlife women veterans," is available from The North American Menopause Society.
Nearly Thirty Percent of Women Report Having Used Cannabis for Menopause Symptoms
San Francisco, CA: Nearly thirty percent of women have either used or are currently consuming cannabis to manage menopause symptoms, according to data to be presented at the annual meeting of The North American Menopause Society.
A team of investigators affiliated with the San Francisco VA Medical Center examined patterns of self-reported cannabis use for menopause symptoms in a sample of 232 female veterans (mean age 56 years).
They reported: "Current or ever use of cannabis for menopause symptom management was reported by 27 percent of all participants, while an additional 10 percent expressed interest in future use. In contrast, only 19 percent reported traditional forms of menopause symptom management, including menopausal hormone therapy."
Cannabis use was most commonly reported among women experiencing hot flashes and night sweats. Some respondents also complained of experiencing insomnia.
Commenting on the study, NORML's Deputy Director Paul Armentano said: "While the therapeutic use of cannabis by veterans is not altogether uncommon, this study is among the first to highlight veterans' use of marijuana for this particular condition. Given cannabis' relatively high rate of use among the women in this cohort, scientists and others would be well-advised to further explore its safety, efficacy, and prevalence among women experiencing menopause."
Authors of the study concluded: "Use of cannabis for menopause symptom management was common in this sample of midlife women veterans in Northern California [where marijuana use is legal.] ... These findings ... highlight the importance of understanding the potential risks, benefits, and effectiveness of cannabis for this indication."
An abstract of the study, "Cannabis use for menopause symptom management among midlife women veterans," is available from The North American Menopause Society.
Analysis: Little Evidence to Support Health Benefits Claims of CBD Products Available Over-the-Counter
London, United Kingdom: There exists little clinical data supportive of the therapeutic use of commercially available CBD-infused products, according to a literature review published in the journal Therapeutic Advancements in Psychopharmacology.
A team of researchers affiliated with King's College in London assessed the safety and clinical efficacy of commercially marketed, hemp-derived CBD products available over-the-counter.
Researchers reported that the contents of OTC (over-the-counter) CBD products are generally "of variable quality" -- a finding that is consistent with numerous prior analyses, such as those here, here, and here. Authors further reported that most OTC products contain amounts of CBD that are well below the doses associated with therapeutic benefits in controlled clinical trials.
They concluded: "Although there is enormous consumer interest in CBD, there is little evidence that OTC preparations have significant pharmacological activity or provide health benefits. ... [C]ontrolled trials of OTC preparations are needed to address this issue. There is also a need for more accurate labelling and advertising of OTC CBD products."
Survey data compiled earlier this year by the National Consumers League reported that more than eight in ten US voters desire greater federal regulatory oversight over the labeling and marketing of commercially available CBD products.
Regulators at the US Food and Drug Administration in March informed members of Congress that it "is actively evaluating what and how much data would be sufficient to support a conclusion that CBD can be safely allowed in dietary supplements under certain conditions." At that time, the agency reiterated its longstanding position that the majority of OTC CBD-infused products are marketed in a manner that is inconsistent with the Food, Drug & Cosmetics Act.
Full text of the study, "Lack of evidence for the effectiveness or safety of over-the-counter cannabidiol products," appears in Therapeutic Advancements in Psychopharmacology. Additional information is available from the NORML fact sheet, "FAQs About Cannabidiol."
Colorado: Governor Issues Pardons to Nearly 3,000 Marijuana Offenders
Denver, CO: Democrat Gov. Jared Polis signed an executive order last week pardoning nearly 3,000 Coloradoans with low-level marijuana convictions.
In a prepared statement, the Governor said: "We are finally cleaning up some of the inequities of the past by pardoning 2,732 convictions for Coloradans who simply had an ounce of marijuana or less. ... Too many Coloradans have been followed their entire lives by a conviction for something that is no longer a crime, and these convictions have impacted their job status, housing, and countless other areas of their lives. Today we are taking this step toward creating a more just system and breaking down barriers to help transform people's lives as well as coming to terms with one aspect of the past, failed policy of marijuana prohibition."
The move comes after Gov. Polis signed legislation into law earlier this year granting him the expanded authority to issue such pardons. The new law took effect this month.
In recent months, the Governors of Nevada, Illinois, and Washington have taken similar steps to grant an estimated 30,000 pardons to those with low-level marijuana convictions.
Montana: Economic Study Estimates State Could Yield Over $200 Million in New Tax Revenue Over Five Years
Missoula, MT: Legalizing adult-use marijuana sales, as proposed by a pair of 2020 statewide ballot initiatives, would yield well over $200 million in new tax revenue over the next five years, according to a study published by the University of Montana at Missoula's Bureau of Business and Economic Research.
Authors of the study, which was commissioned by the group New Approach Montana, estimates that passage of the measures, I-190 and CI-118, will provide over $40 million dollars in new tax revenue in 2022 and over $236 million in revenue by 2026.
Statutory initiative I-190 allows adults to possess up to one ounce of marijuana and to cultivate up to four mature plants for personal use. The state would impose a twenty percent tax on retail sales, and revenue from those sales would be directed towards substance abuse treatment, veterans' services, health care, and other programs.
The second ballot measure, CI-118, amends the state's constitution so that only those age 21 or older may patronize the legal cannabis market.
Voters in Arizona, Montana, New Jersey, and South Dakota will be deciding on adult-use legalization initiatives on Election Day.
Full text of the study, "An Assessment of the Market and Tax Revenue Potential of Recreational Cannabis in Montana," is available online. Additional information on 2020 statewide initiatives is available from NORML Election Central.
Texas: Black Men Overrepresented in Harris County's Marijuana Diversion Program
Houston, TX: African Americans are 20 percent of the population of Harris County, Texas (population: 4.7 million), but comprise just under half of all participants in the county's Marijuana Misdemeanor Diversion Program (MMDP), according to data published in the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence.
A team of researchers affiliated with the University of Houston reviewed the program's participants over a 28-month period. Under the countywide policy, which was initially enacted in 2017, first-time offenders found in the possession of two ounces or less of marijuana may participate in a pre-trial diversion program. Those who complete the program do not have criminal charges filed against them and do not receive a criminal record.
Authors reported that 80 percent of the program's participants were male, and 49 percent of all of those in the program were Black.
"The over-enrollment of African Americans in the MMDP is consistent with past studies that have shown African Americans to be more likely than White Americans to be arrested for cannabis possession," authors concluded. "This finding appears to challenge the effectiveness of the MMDP's policy statement which explicitly states the aim of addressing the disproportionate impact of cannabis prosecutions on people of color."
Texas police in 2018 made nearly 100,000 arrests for marijuana violations -- the highest total of any state in the nation.
Nationwide, Black people are nearly four-times as likely as Whites to be arrested in the United States for marijuana-possession offenses, according to an analysis published earlier this year by the American Civil Liberties Union. By contrast, federal data provided by the US Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration indicates that Whites are more likely than Blacks to report having ever used cannabis.
Full text of the study, "Racial and gender inequities in the implementation of a cannabis criminal justice diversion program in a large and diverse metropolitan county of the USA," appears in Drug and Alcohol Dependence.
