TheJointBlog, Author at TheJointBlog

Legalizing Medical Marijuana Reduces Prescription Stimulant Use, Finds Study

August 2, 2020August 2, 2020

According to a new study published in the International Journal of Drug Policy, the use of prescription stimulants is lower in states where medical marijuana has been legalized, compared to states where all marijuana use remains illegal. The study is titled Medical marijuana laws and medical and non-medical prescription stimulant use among a nationally representative sample of US adults: Potential spillover effects by sexual identity and gender.

For the study researchers examined the association between prescription stimulant use and state-level medical marijuana legalization laws.

In Ridiculous Move, Navy Bans Use of Hemp Shampoo

July 29, 2020July 29, 2020

Despite hemp being legal across the United States, recreational marijuana legal in nearly a dozen and medical marijuana legal in over 30, the Navy is expanding its CBD and hemp ban for its members to cover hemp-based shampoos and soaps, even those that are sold legally in all 50 states. This is according to a report by Marijuana Moment. The announcement of the hemp shampoo ban was made four days after the House of Representatives approved an amendment that would allow all military members to use hemp and CBD products.

U.S. House Approves Allowing Military Members to Use CBD

July 28, 2020July 28, 2020

The United States House of Representatives approved an amendment to a defense spending bill on Monday that would allow members of the military to use CBD, according to a report from High Times. The amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) was introduced by Representative Tulsi Gabbard (D), who was a presidential candidate for the Democrat party earlier this year. The amendment was approved by a vote of 360 to 71.

“The Secretary of Defense may not prohibit, on the basis of a product containing hemp or any ingredient derived from hemp, the possession, use, or consumption of such product by a member of the Armed Forces,” states the amendment.

Montana Marijuana Legalization Initiative to Be on November Ballot

July 28, 2020July 28, 2020

Montana may be the next state in the U.S. to legalize marijuana for recreational purposes!

Acampaign to legalize marijuana said Friday it has cleared the signature hurdles to see its two initiatives on the ballot in Montana’s general election in less than four months’ time.

Study: Marijuana Legalization Does Not Increase Crime in Neighboring States

July 25, 2020July 25, 2020

According to a new study legalizing marijuana for all uses is not associated with an increase in crime in neighboring states. The study was published in The Journal of Drug Issues: Its full title is The spillover effect of recreational marijuana legalization on crime: Evidence from neighboring states of Colorado and Washington state.

Cumulative Marijuana Use NOT Associated With Heart Abnormalities in Middle Age People, Finds New Study

July 24, 2020July 24, 2020

According to a new study published in the journal Addiction, neither the current nor the cumulative lifetime use of marijuana is associated with heart abnormalities at middle age. The study, first reported on by NORML, is titled Association between marijuana use and electrocardiographic abnormalities by middle age.

For the study researchers from Switzerland and the United States examined the relationship between cumulative marijuana use and the prevalence of electrocardiogram (ECG) abnormalities in a group of 2,585 middle age subjects. “Researchers controlled for several potential confounders, including subjects’ use of alcohol and tobacco, as well as blood pressure and cholesterol levels.”

Survey: Marijuana Legalization Support Growing in Australia

July 20, 2020July 20, 2020

According to a new survey more Australians support reforming their nation’s marijuana laws to make it so that marijuana is legally possessed and sold.

According to the 2019 edition of the National Drug Strategy Household Survey, conducted each year by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 41% of Australians support legalizing marijuana for all adults. Although this isn’t majority support, it does represent plurality support, given just 37% of those in Australia oppose legalization.

Hemp Executive Appointed to USDA Panel

July 20, 2020July 20, 2020

According to a new report by the Marijuana Moment, a hemp industry executive has been appointed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) to a federal advisory committee on trade issues. Officials announced the hemp advocates appointment on Friday.

Kevin Latner is vice president of marketing for the National Industrial Hemp Council (NIHC). According to the Marijuana Moment, he will serve “as a member of a panel focused on trade in processed foods alongside representatives from major well-known brands and organizations. This appears to be the first time a hemp market advisor has been appointed to formally guide federal policy since the crop was legalized under the 2018 Farm Bill.”

Colorado: Over $192 Million in Legal Marijuana Sold in May

July 20, 2020July 20, 2020

According to a new report by The Denver Post, marijuana sales in Colorado set a new monthly record in May. The sales in May break a record that’s been in place since legal sales begin way back in 2014.

According to the report, licensed legal marijuana retail outlets and medical marijuana dispensaries sold $192,175,937 worth of products in May. This is based on data from the Department of Revenue’s Marijuana Enforcement Division. The Denver Post notes that these numbers mark 29% from April and an increase of 32% from May 2019.

FDA Report: Less than Half of CBD Products Properly Labelled

July 20, 2020July 20, 2020

According to a new “Report to the U.S. House Committee on Appropriations and the U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations” released by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), less than half of the commercially available hemp and CBD products tested by the FDA contain percentages of cannabidiol that actually match what is reported by the companies selling the products. The report is titled Sampling Study of the Current Cannabidiol Marketplace to Determine the Extent That Products are Mislabeled or Adulterated.