Greek Health Minister to Speak in London About Greece’s Groundbreaking Medical Cannabis Programme

By |2024-04-12T03:04:58+01:0012 April 2024|

Greek Health Minister to speak at Cannabis Europa London on Greece’s groundbreaking new medical cannabis programme, joined by Curaleaf executive chairman, Boris Jordan, and former Wimbledon champion, Pat Cash. Cannabis Europa, the premier conference for the emerging European cannabis industry, is thrilled to announce its lineup [...]

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Dr Franjo Grotenhermen: “Cannabis gave me a new reason to live”

By |2024-04-12T03:04:42+01:0012 April 2024|

The founder of the International Alliance for Cannabinoid Medicine (IACM), Dr Franjo Grotenhermen is one of the world’s leading experts in the field of cannabis medicine. But his own personal health battles are just as remarkable. Dr Franjo Grotenhermen is not your typical doctor.  Having worked [...]

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Recreational cannabis use may protect against cognitive decline – study

By |2024-04-11T03:00:22+01:0011 April 2024|

A new study has linked the consumption of cannabis for recreational purposes to a reduced risk of cognitive decline. Researchers at Upstate Medical University have found that compared to non-users, non-medical cannabis use, such as for recreational purposes, was significantly associated with 96% decreased odds of [...]

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Call for funds to kickstart UK medical cannabis awareness campaign

By |2024-04-10T03:07:31+01:0010 April 2024|

An online crowdfunder has been launched to kickstart a key campaign to generate awareness of prescription cannabis among the general public. The crowdfunder, being run by the Cannabis Industry Council (CIC), aims to raise £20,000 initially to undertake public relations and promotional activity around the existence [...]

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Study examines risk of CUDs among medical cannabis patients

By |2024-04-04T03:05:43+01:004 April 2024|

A new paper highlights the need for greater public health messaging around the risks of cannabis use disorders among those prescribed it for medicinal purposes.  While cannabis can have a wide range of potential therapeutic benefits, like any drug or medication it can have adverse effects [...]

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UK cannabis clinic expands to offer mental health treatments

By |2024-04-03T03:06:59+01:003 April 2024|

Online medical cannabis clinic, Treat It, has announced its expansion to include specialised psychiatric services amid the UK’s ‘mental health crisis’. The move will enable individuals with conditions such as anxiety, ADHD or PTSD to access treatment through Kanabo Group’s digital health platform, at a time [...]

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Healing wounds of war: Cannabis, PTSD, and the war in Ukraine

By |2024-03-29T03:03:03+00:0029 March 2024|

Following the recent legalisation of medical cannabis in Ukraine, Adam Kavalier PhD, explores what we know about its potential in the treatment of PTSD.  Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky recently signed into law reforms on medical Cannabis to provide relief to victims of trauma, resulting from the [...]

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Cannabis patient wins ‘small victory’ after months battling driving charges

By |2024-03-28T03:00:42+00:0028 March 2024|

A medical cannabis patient has been cleared of charges against him on the grounds that he has a legal prescription, after being pulled over by police for a second time.  Nathan Williams was found not guilty of failure to provide a specimen at Welshpool Magistrates Court [...]

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Germany passes landmark cannabis bill

By |2024-03-27T03:08:28+00:0027 March 2024|

Via Business of Cannabis Germany’s Bundesrat (Federal Council) has voted to pass the CanG bill without calling in a mediation committee, meaning the law should come into effect on 1 April, 2024. In perhaps the most important vote on cannabis liberalisation in European history, the German [...]

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Curaleaf International Announced as Headline Partner for Cannabis Europa Conference in London

By |2024-03-22T03:06:14+00:0022 March 2024|

Curaleaf International, a market-leading global cannabis company, has been announced as the Headline Partner for Cannabis Europa, scheduled to take place in London on 25-26 June, 2024. Cannabis Europa is Europe’s foremost conference series that connects influential leaders in science, policy and business, helping to build [...]

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Portugal’s medical cannabis regulator approves first new preparations since 2021

By |2024-03-22T03:05:59+00:0022 March 2024|

Via Business of Cannabis Portugal’s cannabis regulator has approved three new cannabis preparations for its medical cannabis programme, marking the first expansion since 2021. Since voting to legalise medical cannabis in 2018, Portugal has only seen one cannabis preparation be approved by INFARMED (Instituto Nacional de [...]

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Switzerland launches seventh adult-use cannabis pilot and largest to date

By |2024-03-21T03:00:54+00:0021 March 2024|

Switzerland has launched its seventh adult-use cannabis pilot, the largest to date, following the publication of the first trial data earlier this month. Officials in Switzerland announced a seventh pilot study into the sale of legal cannabis for adult-use in the district of canton Zürich on [...]

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Could cannabis help women reach orgasm? A new study says so

By |2024-03-20T03:05:53+00:0020 March 2024|

The first study of its kind has found cannabis to be beneficial in the treatment of female orgasm disorder.  For the first time researchers have investigated the effects of cannabis in treating female orgasm disorder/difficulty (FOD), with the results demonstrating ‘significant benefit’. While previous research has [...]

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“Enhancing quality of life and protecting public health”: my experience as a toxicologist in the CBD industry

By |2024-03-16T03:03:31+00:0016 March 2024|

What’s it like working as a toxicologist in the CBD industry? Cristelle Santos, consultant toxicologist at Broughton Group, shares her experience. With many new novel food products that contain CBD coming to market, extensive toxicology testing is vital to assess possible risks associated with the ingredients, [...]

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Real-world evidence finds medical cannabis effective in PTSD and comorbid depression

By |2024-03-15T03:01:11+00:0015 March 2024|

Newly-published real-world evidence finds medical cannabis to be effective in managing symptoms of PTSD and comorbid depression.  There has been increasing interest in using cannabis-based medicines in the treatment of  PTSD, particularly in the veteran population.  Most notably, Ukraine recently legalised medical cannabis with President Zelensky [...]

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French authorities confirm flower won’t be included in medical cannabis programme

By |2024-03-14T03:07:47+00:0014 March 2024|

Via Business of Cannabis  The French National Medicines Safety Agency (ANSM) has confirmed that flowers will not be included in its upcoming generalised medical cannabis framework. While not wholly unexpected, the abrupt nature and failure of the ANSM to provide any viable alternative to patients currently [...]

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Cannabis-based medicines could be ‘cost-effective’ for treatment of chronic pain

By |2024-03-13T03:07:40+00:0013 March 2024|

Early economic analysis suggests that cannabis-based medicines may be a cost-effective treatment for managing chronic pain.  Initial findings from a small feasibility study suggest that at the right price point, cannabis-based medicines could offer a cost-effective alternative for the treatment of chronic pain, if prescribed on [...]

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Wimbledon tennis champ Pat Cash launches CBD range

By |2024-03-09T03:14:47+00:009 March 2024|

The former Wimbledon tennis champion, Pat Cash, has described CBD oil as a  ‘gamechanger’ for athletes living with chronic pain as he launches his own range of products.  The 1987 Wimbledon Men’s Singles tennis champion announced this month on the popular Australian television chat show The [...]

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Ukraine joins global cannabis community

By |2024-03-08T03:14:48+00:008 March 2024|

Now that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has signed a law opening access to medical cannabis, Ukraine has joined a list of emerging countries that recognize the benefits of this plant for their people, writes Michael Sassano, CEO and founder of SOMAÍ Pharmaceuticals. Recently, the United States Department of [...]

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Study finds CBD can ease anxiety more effectively than THC

By |2024-03-07T03:10:38+00:007 March 2024|

Cannabis products high in CBD can ease anxiety better than THC-dominant products, new research suggests.  A study of 300 people, published in the journal Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research, is the first randomised trial to examine how legal, commercially available cannabis impacts anxiety symptoms. The study, led [...]

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UK medical cannabis supply issues continue to place children’s lives at risk, we’re calling on the industry to step up

By |2024-03-06T03:07:11+00:006 March 2024|

Almost six years since the law changed, children still struggle to access a consistent supply of cannabis-based medicine in the UK.  With families now facing national shortages of other anti-epileptic drugs, it’s time the sector stepped up, writes co-founder and director, Matt Hughes, Medcan Family Foundation. [...]

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The role of the endocannabinoid system in dermatological diseases

By |2024-03-02T03:00:17+00:002 March 2024|

In an extract from the handbook, Principles of Clinical Cannabinology, Viola Brugnatelli and Fabio Turco explore the cutaneous Endocannabinoid System and its potential applications in treating various dermatological conditions. The skin, the body’s largest organ, serves not only as a protective barrier but also plays crucial [...]

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Cannabis may help reduce reliance on other stimulants, finds study

By |2024-03-01T03:35:49+00:001 March 2024|

New findings suggest that cannabis could reduce reliance on other stimulant drugs, and play a role in addressing the ongoing opioid overdose crisis. A new study at the University of British Columbia has observed that using cannabis is associated with decreased use of crystal methamphetamine among [...]

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Greece welcomes ‘new era’ of medical cannabis after seven-year wait

By |2024-02-29T03:07:40+00:0029 February 2024|

A seven year wait has finally come to an end for patients in Greece, as the first legal medical cannabis prescriptions were issued this week.  A 60-year-old mother of three, Anna Paga, who has psoriatic arthritis, became one of the country’s first patients to receive a [...]

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Spain publishes draft medical cannabis framework, but omits flower

By |2024-02-28T03:13:02+00:0028 February 2024|

Via Business of Cannabis  Spain’s Ministry of Health has launched a public consultation on its proposals for a medical cannabis framework in the country. Organisations and individual citizens will now have until 4 March  to submit their comments on the proposals, as Spain’s new government makes [...]

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Broughton: How to design a robust CBD testing strategy

By |2024-02-28T03:12:52+00:0028 February 2024|

Back in 2020, the European Commission formally classified edible cannabidiol (CBD) products like gummies, drinks, oils and even bread as novel foods (NFs). Today, all submitted applications remain on hold, with no CBD products receiving NF authorisation in the UK or Europe. Here Libby Clarke, managing [...]

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Medical Cannabis Division of Rokshaw Ltd Rebranding to Curaleaf Laboratories

By |2024-02-24T03:05:35+00:0024 February 2024|

From 26th February, the medical cannabis division of Rokshaw Ltd is rebranding to Curaleaf Laboratories. Since its inception in 2012 by founders Jonathan and Richard Hodgson, Rokshaw has created an industry wide reputation of providing the highest quality of products from our MHRA-approved manufacturing facility. Its [...]

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Breaking Ground: Morama Holdings Pioneers High-Quality, Organic Cannabis in Lesotho

By |2024-02-24T03:05:17+00:0024 February 2024|

High-quality cannabis on the medical market is the holy grail among both patients and clinics with heart. There’s still a fair bit of catching up to do before the UK can offer a selection of medication options that rivals other areas of the world. But one [...]

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Patients to call for equity in medical cannabis access at UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs

By |2024-02-24T03:05:04+00:0024 February 2024|

Patients from across the globe will call for fair and equal access to medicinal cannabis treatment at the upcoming session of the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs. Members of the IACM Patient Council, alongside other non-profit organisations, will represent the rights of patients seeking legal, fair [...]

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Medical cannabis has ‘negligible’ impact on driving performance – study

By |2024-02-23T03:03:52+00:0023 February 2024|

A new study has found few changes in driving performance among patients taking medicinal cannabis products.  Researchers at Swinburne University in Australia examined the effects of cannabis products on simulated driving performance in a group of 40 patients legally prescribed medical cannabis. The semi-naturalistic study found [...]

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Research shows ‘remarkable’ effects of cannabis in treatment of skin cancer

By |2024-02-22T05:54:19+00:0022 February 2024|

A cannabis extract has shown positive results in slowing down melanoma cell growth and increasing cell death rates in skin cancer, a new in-vitro study has found. Researchers from Charles Darwin University (CDU) and RMIT investigated programmed cell death caused by a specific extract (cannabinoid PHEC-66) [...]

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Optimism despite delays: Ireland’s journey toward cannabis decriminalisation

By |2024-02-21T03:09:05+00:0021 February 2024|

Via Business of Cannabis  The Irish Government has approved the establishment of an Oireachtas committee to examine the Citizens’ Assembly recommendations for the decriminalisation of drug use ‘as quickly as possible’. It comes just two weeks after the Dáil, Ireland’s lower parliamentary house, voted to delay [...]

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Medical Cannabis in the Management of Glaucoma

By |2024-02-17T03:08:20+00:0017 February 2024|

Glaucomas constitute a group of eye disorders characterized by progressive damage to the optic nerve, often associated with increased intraocular pressure (IOP), leading to irreversible vision loss. Glaucoma can develop slowly, and the gradual vision loss may go unnoticed for an extended period. Regular eye examinations, [...]

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President Zelensky signs bill legalising medical cannabis in Ukraine 

By |2024-02-16T03:06:33+00:0016 February 2024|

President Zelensky has signed a bill legalising medical cannabis in Ukraine, with patients expected to have access to regulated medicines as early as 2024.  In what has been described as a ‘great victory’, on Tuesday 13 February, President Zelensky signed into law legislation permitting the prescription [...]

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EU signals increasing shift in attitude towards cannabis reform

By |2024-02-16T03:06:19+00:0016 February 2024|

As reported by Business of Cannabis   The European Commission (EC) last week partially approved a new ‘European Citizens Initiative’ focused on cannabis reform, in a move marking an increasing acknowledgment of the changing landscape in regards to cannabis regulation across the European Union (EU). This [...]

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Jersey passes ‘de jure’ decriminalisation of cannabis for personal use

By |2024-02-14T03:05:35+00:0014 February 2024|

Jersey lawmakers have passed new legislation which is described as a ‘step towards’ the decriminalisation of possession of small amounts of cannabis and other Class B and C drugs. In a vote on Wednesday 7 February, the Jersey States Assembly unanimously approved an amendment to the [...]

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Over a third of Danish pet owners give their dogs CBD

By |2024-02-08T03:01:47+00:008 February 2024|

In a new study, 38% of dog owners surveyed in Denmark reported giving their pups cannabinoids, with 77% reporting at least some ‘positive effect’. In recent years, cannabis has become more widely used for recreational and medical use in humans, and many cannabis-based products are also [...]

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Israel’s medical cannabis reforms set to boost patient numbers, says report

By |2024-02-07T03:02:48+00:007 February 2024|

The number of Israeli patients using medical cannabis is set to increase significantly by 2027 as imminent policy reforms will make it easier for patients to access cannabis-based treatments, a new report has found.  As of December 2023, 30 years after the Ministry of Health issued [...]

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Spain’s medical cannabis law to be ready ‘in the coming months’ says health minister

By |2024-02-02T03:03:41+00:002 February 2024|

Via Business of Cannabis Spain’s newly appointed health minister has said that the country’s long-awaited medical cannabis law will be ready ‘in the coming months,’ as she makes good on her promise to kickstart progress. Mónica García Gómez used her first appearance in Congress to reaffirm [...]

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Cannabinoids and obesity: could cannabis help tackle a global health crisis?

By |2024-02-01T03:02:58+00:001 February 2024|

In a new extract from the Principles of Cannabinology Handbook, Viola Brugnatelli and Fabio Turco, examine whether cannabis could play a role in tackling the global obesity crisis. Obesity has evolved into a significant public health crisis, with alarming global prevalence rates and with profound health [...]

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UK cannabis bosses pledge to support veterans in accessing ‘vital’ medicines

By |2024-01-31T03:03:06+00:0031 January 2024|

The Cannabis Industry Council (CIC) has committed to supporting UK veterans in accessing medicines for conditions such as PTSD and chronic pain.  Leaders at the CIC have joined over 11,000 other organisations across the country in signing the Armed Forces Covenant, which pledges to support the [...]

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Latest cannabis research: Myth-busting studies on driving and motivation, plus cognitive function, cancer and CBD in cats

By |2024-01-27T03:00:22+00:0027 January 2024|

New studies challenge some longstanding myths about cannabis and its effects on driving and motivation, while others examine cognitive function, cancer and CBD in cats       In recent weeks new research has been published exploring the relationship between cannabis and driving impairment, motivation and cognitive function in [...]

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Denmark publishes new findings from medical cannabis pilot

By |2024-01-26T03:02:03+00:0026 January 2024|

Via Newsweed  The Danish Medicines Agency has published the latest findings from the country’s ongoing medical cannabis pilot programme. Denmark launched its medicinal cannabis pilot programme in 2018, allowing doctors to prescribe cannabis-based products for patients with certain qualifying conditions. Now officials have published the latest [...]

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Ireland: HRB publishes findings on safety and efficacy of medical cannabis

By |2024-01-25T03:03:16+00:0025 January 2024|

Ireland’s Health Research Board (HRB) has published the findings from its review of evidence for the safety and efficacy of prescribed medicinal cannabis. The report, which was published on Tuesday 23 January, found evidence to support the use of prescribed medicinal cannabis for certain conditions for [...]

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Cannabis Down Under: Australia and New Zealand’s regulatory overhauls aim to boost global cannabis presence

By |2024-01-24T03:02:33+00:0024 January 2024|

Via Business of Cannabis Australia and New Zealand are undergoing contrasting reforms in their medical cannabis regulations. New Zealand aims to lower product quality standards for domestic producers to facilitate exports, while Australia seeks to elevate standards for international producers to ease imports. According to Prohibition [...]

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Study shows ‘promising’ results for medical cannabis in chronic depression

By |2024-01-24T03:02:22+00:0024 January 2024|

Researchers at LVR University Hospital Essen in Germany have announced the results of a new study on the efficacy of medical cannabis in treating chronic depression. According to the findings, patients showed significant improvement with the reported severity rate of their depression reduced significantly, with no [...]

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UK researchers publish first findings on cannabis and Long COVID

By |2024-01-23T03:01:22+00:0023 January 2024|

New UK research is said to lay the foundations for further exploration of cannabis as a potential treatment for Long COVID. Researchers at Drug Science have published the findings from a world-first trial examining the potential of cannabis to manage the debilitating symptoms of Long Covid. [...]

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New study reveals why cannabis causes the ‘munchies’

By |2024-01-19T03:08:17+00:0019 January 2024|

It is a well-known fact that cannabis can cause the ‘munchies’ but now researchers have revealed why that is—potentially paving the way for new treatments for appetite disorders.  Scientists at Washington State University, have discovered a mechanism in the brain that promotes appetite in a set [...]

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Czech Republic plans to roll back adult-use cannabis legalisation

By |2024-01-18T03:01:10+00:0018 January 2024|

Via Business of Cannabis Last week the Czech government published a draft version of its highly anticipated cannabis regulation bill, sparking outrage due to the apparent omission of plans for a full commercial market. With much of the European cannabis industry still reeling from Germany’s decision [...]

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US federal health officials acknowledge ‘accepted medical use’ of cannabis

By |2024-01-17T03:00:27+00:0017 January 2024|

Federal health officials in the US have acknowledged the ‘accepted medical use’ of cannabis for the first time, in documents confirming a recommendation that it be reclassified as a lower risk drug.  The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has released documents which confirm [...]

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