The impact of cannabis legalisation in Canada – a mixed picture?

By |2023-10-17T03:04:07+01:0017 October 2023|

Five years on from the legalisation of cannabis, Canada has seen ‘major societal benefits’ but the public health impact remains a mixed picture, say experts.  Adult-use cannabis was legalised in Canada in October 2018, with the goal to improve cannabis-related public health and safety, and reduce [...]

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Cannabis-in-brief: Updates from Ukraine, Israel, Ireland, Germany and the UK

By |2023-10-14T03:16:43+01:0014 October 2023|

We look back at the developments over the last two weeks to bring you some of the headlines you might have missed. The top lines: Ukraine’s bill to legalise medicinal cannabis has cleared another legislative hurdle, while Israeli health officials take steps to ensure patients can [...]

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Ukraine’s bid to legalise medical cannabis clears another hurdle

By |2023-10-14T03:16:28+01:0014 October 2023|

A bill to legalise medical cannabis in Ukraine has advanced to the next stage of the legislative process this week, bringing patients one step closer to ‘relief’. Following its initial reading, in July Ukrainian politicians voted to adopt the bill which will see the legalisation of [...]

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FSA drops recommended daily dose of CBD to 10mg – everything you need to know

By |2023-10-13T03:07:51+01:0013 October 2023|

This article was co-written by Ben Stevens, editor, Business of Cannabis The UK’s Food Standards Agency (FSA) today published a shock update to its consumer guidance on the recommended daily dosage of CBD.  According to new ‘scientific evidence’, understood to have been gained from toxicological studies [...]

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Cannabis industry launches ‘debanking’ survey

By |2023-10-13T03:07:42+01:0013 October 2023|

A survey to understand the scale of UK cannabis industry banking challenges has been launched by the Cannabis Industry Council (CIC). This follows ongoing anecdotal concerns across the industry about accessibility issues for bank accounts and other financial services. Without a business bank account, not only [...]

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Israeli health officials to extend medical cannabis licences amid Gaza conflict

By |2023-10-12T03:03:37+01:0012 October 2023|

Israel’s Ministry of Health has taken steps to ensure cannabis patients can continue to access the treatment following the outbreak of conflict in the region. Following the events in Gaza over the last week, the Israeli Ministry of Health has confirmed an extension to patients’ medical [...]

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Germany’s cannabis legalisation marches on despite obstacles

By |2023-10-11T03:12:46+01:0011 October 2023|

Via Business of Cannabis On Friday 29 September, opponents of Germany’s Cannabis Act (CanG) failed to prevent the bill from progressing in the German Federal Council (Bundesrat). Two key ‘possible showstoppers’ failed to gain enough support in the Bundesrat, the German upper house that represents the [...]

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OPINION: Marketing medical cannabis for the mainstream – is anyone getting it right?

By |2023-10-10T03:00:59+01:0010 October 2023|

Dave Barton, co-founder and creative director at cannabis content agency, thermidor<, explores the challenges brands face in marketing medical cannabis and wonders whether any of them are actually doing it well. As part of my prep for a medical cannabis panel session at CB Expo in [...]

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Older adults function better with medical cannabis, finds study

By |2023-10-07T03:05:54+01:007 October 2023|

A new study exploring the effects of medical cannabis in older adults found improvements in day to day functionality, as well as reductions in pain and opioid use. Cannabis use is increasing among older adults, particularly over the last decade as it becomes more widely available [...]

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Multiple sclerosis and medical cannabis: a scientific exploration

By |2023-10-06T04:28:32+01:006 October 2023|

In an extract taken from the Principles of Cannabinology Handbook, Viola Brugnatelli and Fabio Turco, explore the relationship between multiple sclerosis and medical cannabis. In the world of modern medicine, there is a growing interest in exploring alternative treatments for a wide range of ailments; one area [...]

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New Report Finds Most European Countries Are ‘Wilfully Ignorant’ to High Levels of Injustice in Policing and Criminal Enforcement of Adult Cannabis Use

By |2023-10-05T03:10:35+01:005 October 2023|

A new report from a leading UK cannabis advisory company has highlighted how a failure to capture data related to race – when policing illicit adult cannabis use across Europe – risks adding to disproportionate outcomes for ethnic minorities that are apparent in countries like the UK. [...]

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Ireland Citizens’ Assembly on Drugs Use to outline recommendations for reform

By |2023-10-05T03:10:20+01:005 October 2023|

Members of Ireland’s Citizens’ Assembly on Drugs will outline their recommendations for the country’s drug policy over the coming weeks, with calls for reform expected to be a key feature.   Following six months of deliberations, the Citizens’ Assembly on Drugs Use has concluded its consideration of [...]

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Medical Cannabis Awareness Week returns to mark 5th anniversary of law change

By |2023-10-04T03:02:34+01:004 October 2023|

Medical Cannabis Awareness Week is set to take place again as the UK marks the fifth anniversary of the landmark law change in November 2018. Originally launched by patient advocacy group PLEA (Patient-Led Engagement for Access) in 2020, Medical Cannabis Awareness Week (MCAW) will take place [...]

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Hempura: CBD products pioneers join BRITISH CANNABIS™ family

By |2023-10-03T03:21:08+01:003 October 2023|

Hempura, a leading CBD brand, has recently been acquired by new parent company, BRITISH CANNABIS™. This exciting partnership solidifies Hempura’s position as a CBD frontrunner and marks a significant milestone in their six year journey.  With BRITISH CANNABIS™ now serving as the exclusive distributor and marketing [...]

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Growing use of cannabis among midlife women for menopause symptoms – study

By |2023-10-03T03:20:49+01:003 October 2023|

Over 40% of those in a survey of over 5,000 midlife women report having consumed cannabis, with many using it specifically for menopause symptoms.  While young adults have traditionally been thought of as the primary users of cannabis, data from the US now suggests that women [...]

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Cannabisplatz: A game-changing platform for cannabis therapy in Germany?

By |2023-09-29T15:43:14+01:0029 September 2023|

In the ever-evolving landscape of healthcare, innovations are constantly emerging to improve patient care and quality of life. One such groundbreaking start-up is Cannabisplatz, an online platform designed to offer safe and secure access to medical cannabis treatments in Germany. Cannabisplatz is an innovative online platform [...]

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Cannabis-in-brief: The Netherlands, Portugal and Belgium look towards reform while France casts doubt on medical access

By |2023-09-29T15:42:53+01:0029 September 2023|

We look back at the developments over the last two weeks to bring you some of the headlines you might have missed. The top lines: The Netherlands has announced an official start date for its legalisation pilot, while officials in Portugal and Belgium also appear to [...]

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Are social clubs the way forward for cannabis reform?

By |2023-09-29T15:42:31+01:0029 September 2023|

Research suggests that cannabis social clubs play a key role in future legislation reform and can be effective in achieving social justice for those affected by prohibition.  A gradual shift is taking place across the globe, as more and more jurisdictions look to address the failings [...]

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Australian cannabis clinic AlternaLeaf launches in UK

By |2023-09-29T15:42:14+01:0029 September 2023|

The Australian clinic, which is said to have helped hundreds of thousands of patients access medical cannabis, is now launching in the UK. AlternaLeaf, a private clinic which has been prescribing cannabis medicines across Australia, is now open to patients in the UK. The announcement comes [...]

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The Gold Standard for Accurate Cannabinoid Products – PhytoVista Laboratories Joins Forces With BRITISH CANNABIS™

By |2023-09-28T03:09:42+01:0028 September 2023|

With the acquisition of a leading scientific cannabinoid testing facility, BRITISH CANNABIS takes its track record for having the most rigorously tested CBD products in the market and amplifies it tenfold. This can strengthen confidence that consumers and business partners have in the reliability of cannabinoid [...]

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French government will not propose medical cannabis legalisation in 2024

By |2023-09-28T03:09:20+01:0028 September 2023|

Via Newsweed New information suggests that the Macron government will not support the general legalisation of medical cannabis in France when the ongoing trial ends in 2024. French media outlet Newsweed reports that the future Social Security Financing Bill (PLFSS) will not include a budget for [...]

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Use of cannabinoids in intensive care needs ‘further exploration’ – study

By |2023-09-27T03:17:21+01:0027 September 2023|

A new study is the first to explore the role of cannabinoids in treating critically ill patients, with doctors calling for further research in this area. For the first time researchers have explored the therapeutic potential of cannabinoids in critically ill patients in intensive care. The [...]

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Scientists publish new recommendations for CBD dosing

By |2023-09-26T03:20:12+01:0026 September 2023|

A new review has published recommendations for the maximum daily CBD intake, with up to 160mg found to be acceptable for ‘healthy’ adults.  The scientific review was commissioned by cannabis companies, Canopy Growth and Charlotte’s Web, to develop recommendations for oral doses of CBD isolate.  Researchers [...]

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Medicinal cannabis and migraine – “It allows me to live a full life”

By |2023-09-23T03:28:29+01:0023 September 2023|

Joe* speaks to Cannabis Health about how his prescription has enabled him to live a full life despite the debilitating symptoms brought on by vestibular migraines.  Joe, 29, began experiencing vestibular migraines whilst at university. Sometimes they would last for months at a time and leave [...]

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New cannabis research: cancer, Type 2 diabetes, autism, fibromyalgia and skin disorders

By |2023-09-22T03:04:52+01:0022 September 2023|

New research suggests cannabis may go some way to reducing the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, while other studies shed light on its potential in fibromyalgia, autism and skin disorders. A wealth of cannabis-related research has been published over the last few months, including studies [...]

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Is Portugal preparing to legalise adult-use cannabis?

By |2023-09-21T03:19:46+01:0021 September 2023|

Via Cannareporter One of Portugal’s major political parties is to establish a working group to explore the possibility of legalising cannabis for non-medical purposes, in collaboration with other parliamentary groups. The regulation of recreational cannabis in Portugal may be imminent, following the European trend to review [...]

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The Netherlands to launch cannabis legalisation pilot December 2023

By |2023-09-20T03:20:09+01:0020 September 2023|

Dutch officials have announced that the country’s cannabis legalisation experiment will begin its pilot phase before the end of the year. Initially approved by the senate in 2019, the Wietexperiment [Weed Experiment] will see a select number of cultivators permitted to supply legal cannabis to coffee [...]

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Endocannabinoid system could be key in treating stress-related conditions – study

By |2023-09-20T03:19:58+01:0020 September 2023|

New findings related to how the body’s endocannabinoid system responds to stress could open a new avenue of drug development to treat psychiatric disorders, say researchers.  Scientists believe that when an individual is under stress the brain may release its own cannabinoid molecules to calm them [...]

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What is CBDA? Raw cannabinoids and their potential benefits

By |2023-09-19T03:25:48+01:0019 September 2023|

While not as well-known as CBD or THC, raw cannabinoids such as cannabidiolic acid (CBDA), are becoming more popular due to their potential health and wellness benefits. The term ‘raw cannabinoids’ refers to the chemical compounds found in the cannabis plant in their natural form, before [...]

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Lyphe Group and Boveda forge partnership for UK cannabis patients

By |2023-09-15T03:20:51+01:0015 September 2023|

UK medical cannabis company, Lyphe Group, has announced a new partnership to enhance how patients receive their cannabis prescriptions.  In what is thought to be an industry first, Lyphe Group’s dispensing pharmacy, Dispensary Green, has partnered with Boveda Inc, a global leader in two-way humidity control, [...]

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BBC documentary highlights ‘pot luck’ of access to cannabis on NHS

By |2023-09-15T03:20:37+01:0015 September 2023|

Approaching five years since medical cannabis was legalised in the UK, a new BBC documentary accuses the government of misleading the public over its availability on the NHS.  On 1 November, 2023 medical cannabis will have been legally available on prescription in the UK for five [...]

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NIDA funds $3.69m study on role of genetics in response to THC

By |2023-09-15T03:20:23+01:0015 September 2023|

Researchers have received a $3.69 million grant from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) to study how genetic differences influence behavioural and physiological responses to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Increased legalisation of medical and/or recreational cannabis and more favourable public perspectives has led to an increase in [...]

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Medical cannabis ‘effective’ and ‘fast-acting’ for neuropathic pain – study

By |2023-09-14T03:05:32+01:0014 September 2023|

Researchers behind a new study say medicinal cannabis is not only effective and fast-acting in the treatment of neuropathic pain, but also has fewer side-effects than conventional medicines.  A retrospective study, conducted by scientists from the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE Hamburg) in Germany in cooperation [...]

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CanXChange introduces revolutionary CX financing Service, redefining industry standards

By |2023-09-13T03:05:21+01:0013 September 2023|

CanXChange, the largest B2B cannabis platform in Europe and a leading financial technology company, is proud to announce the launch of its newest service, CX Financing. This innovative product is set to transform the receivables financing landscape, offering exclusive credit terms to our esteemed partners and [...]

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“As a disabled person and full-time carer, cannabis enables me to support my partner”

By |2023-09-13T03:05:10+01:0013 September 2023|

After years of pain medication and antidepressants, Kerry Davies came off all her NHS prescription drugs when she started consuming cannabis medicinally. Here, she shares her journey so far. Kerry Davies battles daily with the symptoms of fibromyalgia and PTSD, as well as her history of [...]

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Study sheds light on anti-inflammatory action of cannabinoids

By |2023-09-12T03:03:10+01:0012 September 2023|

Researchers in Germany have shed new light on how cannabinoids could potentially reduce inflammation in the body, with CBD found to be particularly effective. Friedrich-Schiller-Universitaet Jena in Germany, have been investigating how certain compounds found in the cannabis plant work to counteract inflammation in the body.  [...]

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Cannabis-in-brief: US rescheduling, wider NHS access, Long Covid and workplace discrimination

By |2023-09-09T03:12:20+01:009 September 2023|

We bring you the news you might have missed from the week just gone. The top lines: Health officials in the US have recommended that cannabis be rescheduled to a ‘lower risk’ drug, while the UK Home Affairs Committee called for wider access to cannabis on [...]

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Switzerland’s ‘pragmatic not political’ approach to cannabis reform should set precedent

By |2023-09-09T03:12:06+01:009 September 2023|

Via Business of Cannabis  As Switzerland sees the launch of its second cannabis pilot, Cannavigia co-founder Philipp Hagenbach, shares his insights on the country’s approach to reform. Recent weeks have seen the launch of ZüriCan, Switzerland’s second cannabis pilot set to give over 2,000 Zurich inhabitants [...]

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Prescription cannabis patients at risk of discrimination in the workplace, says report

By |2023-09-08T03:11:44+01:008 September 2023|

Employers may be breaching the Equality Act over their approach to prescription cannabis patients in the workplace, according to a new report. What are your rights as an employer and an employee? Published by the Cannabis Industry Council (CIC), ‘The Use of Prescription Cannabis at Work’, [...]

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Cannabis linked to improvements in fatigue and quality of life – study

By |2023-09-08T03:11:31+01:008 September 2023|

Australian patients with chronic health issues showed significant improvements in overall health-related quality of life and fatigue in the first three months of treatment with medical cannabis, a new study has found. The paper, published in the journal PLOS ONE, also noted that participants reported improvements [...]

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How cannabis could help manage the unmet need in endometriosis

By |2023-09-07T03:14:06+01:007 September 2023|

Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory disorder that affects 10% of all women between the ages of 12 and 80 years old and for which there is an urgent need for new treatment options. Here, experts at SOMAÍ Pharmaceuticals explore how cannabis could be part of the [...]

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US: Rising rates of cannabis use among older adults are ‘no surprise’

By |2023-09-07T03:13:46+01:007 September 2023|

With cannabis use reaching its highest recorded levels among older adults in the US, this generation may finally be recognising its potential enhancing health and wellbeing. Insights from a recent federally-funded survey in the US suggest that cannabis use has risen significantly in the last decade, [...]

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Potential of cannabis in treating Long Covid warrants further research

By |2023-09-06T03:07:13+01:006 September 2023|

The role of cannabis-based medicines in treating the symptoms of Long Covid warrants further investigation, according to a new review. UK researchers say existing evidence supports the use of cannabis as a potential treatment for Long Covid, including for symptoms of sleep disturbance, fatigue, pain and [...]

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Are disposable CBD vapes bad for the environment?

By |2023-09-05T03:18:10+01:005 September 2023|

Vaping is a popular way of consuming CBD, but there’s a dark side to the disposable vapes which have flooded the market in recent years. As we previously explored, vaping is an increasingly popular way of administering CBD, mainly due to its fast-acting effects and its [...]

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Home Affairs Committee calls for wider NHS access to medical cannabis

By |2023-09-02T03:02:01+01:002 September 2023|

In its latest report on drugs, the UK Home Affairs Committee recommends that the government widens access to cannabis medicines on the NHS, but cites ‘concerns’ over non-medical use.  The new report, published by the Home Affairs Committee on Thursday 31 August, sets out a number [...]

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Top US health officials recommend rescheduling cannabis

By |2023-09-01T03:00:55+01:001 September 2023|

The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), has recommended that cannabis be classed as a lower risk drug. Here’s what this means for research, industry and consumers. A leaked letter, seen by Bloomberg News and dated Tuesday 29 August, reveals that the HHS has [...]

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The state of pharmaceutical cannabis – 12 key takeaways

By |2023-08-31T03:14:19+01:0031 August 2023|

A new report explores the progression of cannabis research over the last decade, as well as the barriers holding back further developments in the pharmaceutical space. We take a look at some of the key takeaways. The report, published today by Prohibition Partners and Cannabiscientia, gives [...]

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Cannabis may be beneficial in childhood cancer, but more evidence is needed

By |2023-08-31T03:14:01+01:0031 August 2023|

Cannabinoids may be beneficial for managing symptoms in children with cancer, a new review finds, but more extensive research is needed.  A recent analysis of existing research suggests that while cannabinoids are increasingly being used to manage symptoms in childhood cancer, there is a lack of [...]

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UK Home Office urged to provide clarity for CBD industry

By |2023-08-30T03:05:00+01:0030 August 2023|

Representatives of the UK CBD industry are urging the Home Office to protect the sector, and reassure millions of consumers, with greater clarity and stricter regulation. A new campaign, led by the Association for the Cannabinoid Industry (ACI), is calling on the Home Office to implement [...]

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Study: Cannabis ‘not associated’ with increased rates of psychosis in ‘high risk’ teenagers

By |2023-08-30T03:04:47+01:0030 August 2023|

In a new study, cannabis was not associated with increased rates of psychosis or other adverse health outcomes among adolescents classed as ‘high risk’ for the disorder. Researchers at Hofstra University in New York and Stanford University in California, assessed the relationship between cannabis use and [...]

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