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So far leafie has created 144 blog entries.

Cookies branded cannabis coming to UK medical market

The high-profile Californian cannabis brand Cookies will soon be available in the UK and Europe, after the company signed a deal to distribute dried flower and extracts with Portugal-based biotech company SOMAÍ. The deal, which will allow SOMAÍ to exclusively cultivate, manufacture, and distribute on behalf [...]

By |17 May 2024|Categories: Leafie|0 Comments

DEA set to reschedule cannabis in the US as bill introduced that could lead to full legalisation

Eight months after the Biden administration ordered a review into cannabis law, the DEA, the agency that enforces drug law in the United States announced that it would reschedule cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III. The announcement means that cannabis will no longer be Schedule [...]

By |3 May 2024|Categories: Leafie|Comments Off on DEA set to reschedule cannabis in the US as bill introduced that could lead to full legalisation

Cannabis consumers are not ‘lazy stoners’ study finds

A study published in the journal Social Psychological and Personality Science has found that chronic cannabis users are motivated and exhibit willingness to carry out tasks that require effort, contrary to the stereotype that stoners are lazy. The study queried 260 cannabis consumers five times per [...]

By |28 April 2024|Categories: Leafie|Comments Off on Cannabis consumers are not ‘lazy stoners’ study finds

Fibromyalgia patients are using cannabis to ease their symptoms

Researchers from the USA have published a study showing how fibromyalgia patients who deal with symptoms including pain, fatigue, and anxiety are using cannabis. A total of 1336 responses from patients at the specialist Integrative Medicine & Health at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota were analysed as [...]

By |26 April 2024|Categories: Leafie|Comments Off on Fibromyalgia patients are using cannabis to ease their symptoms

Politician makes the first move to decriminalise adult-use cannabis in Jersey

Medicinal cannabis is legal in Jersey, and the island is home to a burgeoning cannabis industry. Now a politician on the island is making plans to have the plant’s status for personal use lowered from illegal, to decriminalised. Deputy Tom Coles believes that a softer legal [...]

By |23 April 2024|Categories: Leafie|Comments Off on Politician makes the first move to decriminalise adult-use cannabis in Jersey

#ReleaseMyMeds campaign launched to protect medical cannabis patients’ rights in the UK

Drug policy charity Release has launched a campaign to support the rights of patients prescribed medical cannabis in the UK. Despite medical cannabis being legalised in November 2018, many patients continue to report negative interactions with and harassment from the police due to what Release say [...]

By |21 April 2024|Categories: Leafie|Comments Off on #ReleaseMyMeds campaign launched to protect medical cannabis patients’ rights in the UK

Cannabis legalisation reduces youth consumption, large study finds

A report published by the American Medical Association (AMA) has revealed that the legalisation of adult-use cannabis and the opening of dispensaries and retail stores does not lead to an increase in youth cannabis use. In fact, cannabis reforms were linked to more young individuals reporting [...]

By |17 April 2024|Categories: Leafie|Comments Off on Cannabis legalisation reduces youth consumption, large study finds

Medicinal cannabis industry to become a “significant” part of Jersey economy

Deputy Kirsten Morel has stated that the medicinal cannabis industry in the island nation of Jersey has now started to yield positive results, although as the industry began its journey there were many hurdles to navigate such as high start-up costs, strict regulatory minefields both domestic [...]

By |10 April 2024|Categories: Leafie|Comments Off on Medicinal cannabis industry to become a “significant” part of Jersey economy

Detection of THC in drivers is not associated with impairment, study finds

A literature review published this month in the Journal of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists found the detection of THC or its metabolites in the blood, breath, urine, or saliva of a driver is not an indicator of driving impairment. Scientists affiliated with the University [...]

By |9 April 2024|Categories: Leafie|Comments Off on Detection of THC in drivers is not associated with impairment, study finds

Canadian cannabis consumers now more likely to buy from the legal market, survey finds

Researchers from the Canadian Government’s Office of Cannabis Science and Surveillance examined patterns in cannabis use during the period 2018, when those aged over 18 were allowed to purchase and use cannabis legally for medical and non-medical purposes, to 2022 Using responses from a national online [...]

By |3 April 2024|Categories: Leafie|Comments Off on Canadian cannabis consumers now more likely to buy from the legal market, survey finds

Migraine sufferers swap conventional drugs for cannabis, study finds

Data published in the journal Neurology Clinical Practice shows cannabis to be an effective treatment for those who live with migraines, with many opting to use cannabis to treat their symptoms.   Researchers affiliated with Yale School of Medicine, Ayer Neuroscience Institute, and others selected a cohort [...]

By |29 March 2024|Categories: Leafie|Comments Off on Migraine sufferers swap conventional drugs for cannabis, study finds

Citrus terpene d-limonene can reduce anxiety felt by people who use cannabis

Scientists working with the John Hopkins University have published a study showing how a terpene called d-limonene found abundantly in cannabis, and in many citrus fruits, affects the experience of users when it is vapourised together with the well-known psychoactive cannabinoid THC.  Researchers working on the [...]

By |28 March 2024|Categories: Leafie|Comments Off on Citrus terpene d-limonene can reduce anxiety felt by people who use cannabis

Cannabis legalisation does not lead to increased teen use, study finds

Research funded by the US government has found no link between the legalisation of cannabis and consumption amongst adolescents. The study compared middle-school student cannabis use rates in Nevada and New Mexico, analyzing data from 2017 and 2019 state-run surveys. Notably, adult-use cannabis sales were legal [...]

By |23 March 2024|Categories: Leafie|Comments Off on Cannabis legalisation does not lead to increased teen use, study finds

Natural mushroom extracts more effective than synthesised psilocybin, study finds

A study conducted by an interdisciplinary team of researchers from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem’s Hadassah Medical Center BrainLabs Center for Psychedelic Research has found that extracts from naturally grown psychedelic mushrooms may be more therapeutically effective than synthesised psilocybin. The study, led by Bernard Lerer [...]

By |20 March 2024|Categories: Leafie|Comments Off on Natural mushroom extracts more effective than synthesised psilocybin, study finds

Eight in 10 Brits with pain issues struggle with everyday life, study finds

A study of 2,000 adults has found eight in 10 people with regular pain issues such as back pain, arthritis, and fibromyalgia are struggling with day-to-day living. The study, produced by medical cannabis provider Curaleaf Clinic found that 40 per cent of people living with regular [...]

By |16 March 2024|Categories: Leafie|Comments Off on Eight in 10 Brits with pain issues struggle with everyday life, study finds

Moderate cannabis use does not cause problems with psychological health, study finds

A study involving adult twins has found little evidence that ‘moderate’ cannabis causes negative effects on mental health. The study, published in the Journal of Psychopathology and Clinical Science, analysed a sample of 4,078 American adult twins over 30 years to investigate the effects of lifetime cannabis [...]

By |13 March 2024|Categories: Leafie|Comments Off on Moderate cannabis use does not cause problems with psychological health, study finds

Cannabis legalisation leads to a reduction in beer sales, data shows

A study of data published in the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence has found that cannabis legalisation in Canada has led to a reduction in retail sales of beer. Researchers examined alcohol retail data in Canada from 2012 to 2020 to understand the changes in the [...]

By |7 March 2024|Categories: Leafie|Comments Off on Cannabis legalisation leads to a reduction in beer sales, data shows

Cannabis use linked to greater chance of avoiding early symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease

People who consume cannabis may have a lower chance of experiencing subjective cognitive decline compared to people who do not, according to a study published in the journal Current Alzheimer Research. Subjective cognitive decline (SCD) is a condition categorised by the self-reported experience of worsening or [...]

By |5 March 2024|Categories: Leafie|Comments Off on Cannabis use linked to greater chance of avoiding early symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease

Dancing the best exercise for treating depression, study says

A meta-analysis of over 200 studies has compared the effects of exercise on depression, and found that dancing produced the best outcomes. The study, published in the British Medical Journal, analysed the results of 218 unique studies to identify which kind of exercise best treats major [...]

By |2 March 2024|Categories: Leafie|Comments Off on Dancing the best exercise for treating depression, study says

Legalisation is not linked to an increase in cannabis-related psychosis

A study of data from pre and post-cannabis legalisation in Canada has found no increase in admissions to hospitals for cannabis-related episodes of psychosis. The relationship between cannabis use and episodes of psychosis is a contentious issue that is often raised by opponents of legalisation. Results [...]

By |28 February 2024|Categories: Leafie|Comments Off on Legalisation is not linked to an increase in cannabis-related psychosis

Germany legalises personal possession of cannabis

The German parliament has voted in favour of legalising cannabis for personal use following a historic vote in the Bundestag today. Under the new legislation, which will come into force on April 1st 2024, cannabis will be removed from the official list of illegal substances that [...]

By |24 February 2024|Categories: Leafie|Comments Off on Germany legalises personal possession of cannabis

App launches feature to connect medical cannabis patients directly with doctors

A patient-facing app designed to offer an alternative to the cannabis clinic model prevalent in the UK has launched a new feature that can connect patients directly to doctors, according to a press release sent to leafie. Script Assist is a licensed online platform available via Apple [...]

By |22 February 2024|Categories: Leafie|Comments Off on App launches feature to connect medical cannabis patients directly with doctors

Cannabis medicines “significantly improve sleep quality” insomnia study finds

Data derived from medical cannabis patients being treated for insomnia show that cannabis could be an effective treatment for the disorder that affects the sleep of approximately 10% of people living in the UK. The study, published in the journal Brain and Behavior, assessed clinical outcomes [...]

By |15 February 2024|Categories: Leafie|Comments Off on Cannabis medicines “significantly improve sleep quality” insomnia study finds

Psychedelic use may improve sexual function, study finds

The consumption of psychedelics such as magic mushrooms and LSD may help to improve sexual function months after use according to a study published in the medical journal Nature. To understand the relationship between psychedelic use and sex, researchers from the Centre for Psychedelic Research at [...]

By |13 February 2024|Categories: Leafie|Comments Off on Psychedelic use may improve sexual function, study finds

Cannabis extract effective at killing skin cancer cells, study finds

A study conducted by Charles Darwin University (CDU) and RMIT has found that a cannabis extract, called PHEC-66, can cause cell death in melanoma tumors. Melanoma is a type of skin cancer which in 85% of cases is caused by overexposure to the sun. According to [...]

By |10 February 2024|Categories: Leafie|Comments Off on Cannabis extract effective at killing skin cancer cells, study finds

Thai government says it is set to ban recreational cannabis use

The Thai government has announced it will ban the recreational use of cannabis through a new version of the cannabis and hemp control bill Public Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew said on Tuesday. Thailand decriminalised cannabis in 2022 under the Bhumjaithai party, leading to a wave of [...]

By |7 February 2024|Categories: Leafie|Comments Off on Thai government says it is set to ban recreational cannabis use

Simulator data shows no link between driving performance and THC blood levels in over 60s

A study involving the use of a driving simulator to assess the ability of those aged over 60 to drive after using cannabis has shown no direct link between driving performance and THC blood levels. Researchers from the University of Toronto in Canada published the results [...]

By |31 January 2024|Categories: Leafie|Comments Off on Simulator data shows no link between driving performance and THC blood levels in over 60s

LSD microdosing shows antidepressant effects in double-blind study

Researchers at the University of Chicago have discovered that low doses of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) may have potential antidepressant effects in individuals with mild to moderate symptoms of depression. The study published in the journal Neuropsychopharmacology involved 39 volunteers aged 18 to 35 who were recruited from the [...]

By |27 January 2024|Categories: Leafie|Comments Off on LSD microdosing shows antidepressant effects in double-blind study

Almost half of cancer survivors in the US report using cannabis at least once during treatment

A survey of cancer survivors from across the USA has shown that nearly half reported using cannabis at some point in their lifetimes and that the most popular form of delivery is via smoking joints. The survey, which was published in the journal Cancers included 1886 [...]

By |24 January 2024|Categories: Leafie|Comments Off on Almost half of cancer survivors in the US report using cannabis at least once during treatment

Cannabis improves Major Depressive Disorder symptoms, study finds

Treatment with medical cannabis is associated with reduced levels of depression in patients suffering from Major Depressive Disorder, according to a study published in the journal Pharmacopsychiatry. The study, carried out by researchers at the University of Duisburg-Essen and medical cannabis provider Algea Care in Germany [...]

By |19 January 2024|Categories: Leafie|Comments Off on Cannabis improves Major Depressive Disorder symptoms, study finds

No link between lifetime cannabis use and mental health issues, study finds

The consistent consumption of cannabis over three decades doesn’t appear to significantly heighten the risk of mental health issues or significantly impair cognitive function, according to the results of a longitudinal study published in the Journal of Psychopathology and Clinical Science. Scientists affiliated with the University [...]

By |17 January 2024|Categories: Leafie|Comments Off on No link between lifetime cannabis use and mental health issues, study finds

Czech Republic dials back proposals for cannabis reform

The Czech Republic will no longer press ahead with a fully regulated legal cannabis market, according to a draft bill on cannabis reform presented by the country’s coalition government on Wednesday. The Pirate Party, which has been pushing for the complete legalisation of cannabis in the [...]

By |12 January 2024|Categories: Leafie|Comments Off on Czech Republic dials back proposals for cannabis reform

THC and CBD can help people enjoy exercise, but they do not act as performance enhancers

Using cannabis before a run increased the enjoyment experienced by runners, but did not help them perform to higher standards, a study published in the journal Sports Medicine has found. Scientists from the University of Colorado studied 42 runners who were all current cannabis users, assessing [...]

By |9 January 2024|Categories: Leafie|Comments Off on THC and CBD can help people enjoy exercise, but they do not act as performance enhancers

Almost half of young adults are ditching alcohol for low and no drinks, YouGov survey finds

A YouGov survey has revealed that 44% of UK adults between the ages of 18 to 24 occasionally or regularly order low or non-alcoholic drinks over alcoholic beverages. The study, carried out in conjunction with industry body Portman Group, found that 44% of 18 to 24 [...]

By |6 January 2024|Categories: Leafie|Comments Off on Almost half of young adults are ditching alcohol for low and no drinks, YouGov survey finds

Medical cannabis improves quality of life, UK study finds

Scientists wishing to assess changes in the quality of life of patients currently being prescribed cannabis-based medicinal products (CBMPs) in the UK have published their findings that show positive outcomes in all of the assessed areas; sleep, anxiety and general quality of life. Patients’ self-reported outcomes [...]

By |14 December 2023|Categories: Leafie|Comments Off on Medical cannabis improves quality of life, UK study finds

Cannabis could be used to make pesticides for crops according to ‘exciting new research’

Cannabis has been one of the most studied subjects in recent times with much of the focus placed on its medicinal and recreational properties. However, in what has been described as ‘exciting new research’, cannabis is now being investigated for its potential use in pesticides. Working [...]

By |6 December 2023|Categories: Leafie|Comments Off on Cannabis could be used to make pesticides for crops according to ‘exciting new research’

MP calls on the EU to help his country become a hub for psychedelic research, as huge PTSD crisis looms

At a meeting in the European Parliament last week a Ukrainian MP urged MEPs to help establish his country as the centre of European psychedelic research, in part to provide psychedelic treatment for the estimated 25 million people at risk of chronic mental health disorders such [...]

By |5 December 2023|Categories: Leafie|Comments Off on MP calls on the EU to help his country become a hub for psychedelic research, as huge PTSD crisis looms

THC and CBD found in 17th-century bone samples suggests pre-modern Italians may have loved weed

Research published this month in The Journal of Archaeological Science by a team of scientists shows that people who lived in Milan during the 17th century used cannabis for medicinal, and, possibly, recreational purposes. A teenage boy and a woman in her 50s who were buried [...]

By |2 December 2023|Categories: Leafie|Comments Off on THC and CBD found in 17th-century bone samples suggests pre-modern Italians may have loved weed

Recreational cannabis closer in Germany with ‘softer rules’ for legalisation in 2024

The final draft of Germany’s cannabis legalisation bill was agreed upon yesterday after negotiations took place between members of the coalition government, paving the way for Germans to be allowed to use cannabis for recreational purposes in the Spring of 2024. Amendments to the bill were [...]

By |29 November 2023|Categories: Leafie|Comments Off on Recreational cannabis closer in Germany with ‘softer rules’ for legalisation in 2024

Teen cannabis use in US remains near record lows despite further legalisation

Teenagers in America are reporting levels of cannabis use close to the lowest on record according to data gathered from the 2022 Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) National Survey on Drug Use and Health. There are 24 states in America that now have fully [...]

By |21 November 2023|Categories: Leafie|Comments Off on Teen cannabis use in US remains near record lows despite further legalisation

South Africa passes bill to legalise cannabis possession and home grows

The South African National Assembly has passed The Cannabis for Private Purposes Bill, five years after it was first introduced. The bill, which can only be made into a law once signed by the President, will permit adults to use and cultivate cannabis at their home, [...]

By |18 November 2023|Categories: Leafie|Comments Off on South Africa passes bill to legalise cannabis possession and home grows

Roadmap for the legalisation of psychedelics set out by drug policy group Transform

Guidelines for the regulation of psychedelic drugs have been detailed in a new book published by UK-based drug reform charity Transform. Their proposals lay out a plan for the regulation of what they call the ‘non-medical’ or the recreational use of psychedelic drugs such as LSD, [...]

By |17 November 2023|Categories: Leafie|Comments Off on Roadmap for the legalisation of psychedelics set out by drug policy group Transform

House prices rise significantly faster in US states with legal weed

American homeowners in states where recreational cannabis is legal have seen the price of their houses increase by an average of 41% compared to homes in states where it is not legal, according to a report. Analysis of house prices from 2014 to 2023 by Real [...]

By |15 November 2023|Categories: Leafie|Comments Off on House prices rise significantly faster in US states with legal weed

Magic mushrooms could help people recover from childhood trauma, study results show

Psilocybin one of the key psychedelic compounds in magic mushrooms, has been the subject of another scientific trial to investigate its potential use as a medicine to improve mental health outcomes. In the study, published in the Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, authors from different universities in [...]

By |9 November 2023|Categories: Leafie|Comments Off on Magic mushrooms could help people recover from childhood trauma, study results show

Role of terpenes in cannabis smell ‘overemphasised’ study suggests

The results of a recently published study show that minor compounds known as VSCs, and not terpenes are the main reason that cannabis projects such a strong smell.  New data published in the American Chemical Society’s journal Omega shows that minor non-terpenoid compounds, although accounting for [...]

By |3 November 2023|Categories: Leafie|Comments Off on Role of terpenes in cannabis smell ‘overemphasised’ study suggests

MDMA assisted therapy effective in reducing the symptoms of PTSD

MDMA, known to many around the world as the rave drug ecstasy, can be more effective at treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) when paired with talking therapy than treatments that are currently available to patients, according to a study recently published in the medical journal Nature.   [...]

By |1 November 2023|Categories: Leafie|Comments Off on MDMA assisted therapy effective in reducing the symptoms of PTSD