On Tuesday, Oregon became the first state to legalize access to Magic Mushrooms [Psilocybin]. Specifically, Measure 109 directs the state to establish and regulate a program whereby adults in the state will be able to consume psilocybin, a psychoactive compound found in magic mushrooms.
Multiple cities have decriminalized the substance, but Oregon will become the first to permit supervised use statewide if that majority holds.
The first of its kind measure is backed by chief petitioners wife-and-husband Sheri and Thomas Eckert of Beaverton, this will allow regulated use of psychedelic mushrooms in a therapeutic setting.
Measure 109 was passing by 56.12% Tuesday at 8:50 p.m. with 1,832,513 votes counted.
Photo by Visually Us
The mushroom bill, measure 109, allows trained “facilitators” to give patients psilocybin — the psychedelic compound in mushrooms — as a mental health treatment, and guide them through trips at licensed centers.
Regulatory details, including how to qualify as a therapist, will be hammered out over the next two years, according to the bill — which was passing with more than 56 percent support Tuesday night, according to the OregonLive.com website.
There’s More Good News for Cannabis & Psychedelics
It was a big night for drug policy reform. In Oregon, voters also passed Measure 110, which decriminalizes several drugs, including psilocybin, as well as cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine. It also funds drug addiction treatment. Voters in DC also seemed poised to overwhelmingly pass a measure to decriminalize magic mushrooms and other psychedelic plants. And so far tonight, New Jersey and Arizona passed measures to legalize recreational cannabis.
Partial returns Tuesday showed the measure had passed with 62 percent support.
TEL AVIV – A hospital in Israeli will begin testing COVID-19 patients with medicinal cannabis, which is known to have anti-viral properties, as part of a new experimental treatment in a fight against this virus which has disrupted life all around the world.
Researchers are investigating cannabidiol, the non-psychoactive component of cannabis also known as CBD oppose to the one we all know and love, THC. CBD can slow down the spread of the virus and stop moderate patients conditions turning to critical.
There are dozens of COVID-19 patients in moderate condition at Ichilov Medical Center in Tel Aviv are expected to be treated with Cannabis.
COVID-19 Studies In Israel
Barak Cohen, the senior anesthesiologist who is in charge of managing and overseeing the hospital’s response to COVID, stressed that the treatment would alleviate symptoms by using “a component of the cannabis plant that is considered safe and non-addictive.”
Another groups of researchers at Tel Aviv University have begun developing a CBD-based drug that has been shown to be effective against inflammation for coronavirus-infected lung cells.
The Technion Institute of Technology in Haifa is also working on developing two complementary drugs based on various cannabis strains to fight the virus. The first drug will attempt to reduce the patient’s immune response while the second aims to slow down the course of the disease by lowering the expression of the receptor, this is a protein that allows the virus to receive and release substances outside of the cell.
“Our lab has been approved to operate as a coronavirus lab, and we are currently promoting two studies based on existing cannabis studies,” Prof. Dudi Meiri, who is leading the Technion’s team, as mention here on Calcalist.
“First, we will try to identify the plant’s immune cells that are capable of suppressing the immune response to the coronavirus, which causes inflammation and disease. Cannabis plant molecules have the ability to lower the immune system response without suppressing it entirely, thereby providing better complementary treatment than steroids, which completely suppress the immune system.”
Professor Dudi Meiri
The second study will be conducted on the receptor which allows the virus to inject its genetic expression into human cells and proliferate.
“There is a process that examines the effect of cannabis molecules on proteins as well,” he explained. “We are now examining which ones are relevant to the same receptor, with the goal of lowering its expression, making it difficult for the virus to enter the cell and proliferate.” said Professor Dudi Meiri.
The state has officially legalized sales of THC-Infused Edibles from January 2021 onwards.
If you’re a Medicinal Cannabis patient in the beautiful state of Hawaii, you already have something to look forward to in 2021. Governor David Ige signed legislation that will allow patients to have access to cannabis-infused edibles. Patients enrolled in the state’s medical cannabis access program will be able to purchase THC-infused edible products from licensed dispensaries for the first time under legislation.
Is Weed Legal In Hawaii?
Weed is illegal for recreational use by anyone in the sate, Hawaii implemented a Medical Marijuana program 20 years ago this allowed cardholders to possess and grow their own Marijuana or appoint a caretaker to do so. At that time there were still no dispensaries or a legal market of any kind to purchase directly from.
The House Bill 2097 allows licensed medical dispensaries in Hawaii “to manufacture and distribute THC infused edibles.” The Hawaii Department of Health will administer the development of rules on the production, labeling and packaging of cannabis-infused edibles.
The new law also for the first time permits and encourages dispensaries to “provide, disseminate, and publish educational and scientific materials related to medical cannabis and its approved products and sponsor events about medical marijuana.”
Decriminalization
On July 1, 2019, Governor David Ige decriminalized small amounts of cannabis. Beginning on January 11, 2020, this bill made possession of three grams or less of marijuana punishable by a $130 fine. Under the former law, anyone possessing even a small amount of cannabis was punished to 30 days in jail and a fine of up to $1,000 – Ridiculous.
When Does The New Law Take Effect?
Governor Ige signed the measure into law earlier this month. The new law takes effect on July, 2021.
The Victorian government will back a push for medicinal cannabis patients to be able to drive in an Australian-first move. Victorian Reason Party MP Fiona Patten – behind the push supported in parliament on Wednesday – said it was “simply unfair” Australia was “the only jurisdiction” that prevented medicinal cannabis patients from driving 24/7.
Sydney
She also said, “I am pleased that the government has seen sense and will move to change the laws around medicinal cannabis and driving – it’s about time,”
The bill aims to treat medicinal cannabis, prescribed by a doctor, in the same way as any other prescription medication under the Road Safety Act.
It would mean driving laws are changed, the government will establish a implementation taskforce that will work with doctors, legal experts and MPs around those changes. The taskforce will then report back to parliament by the 18th Of December.
Fiona Patten went on to say, “The average Medicinal Cannabis patient is a 55 year old woman. These patients gain great relief from their medication but should be able to drive their kids to school in the morning,”
Of course the move was met with opposition from the ignorant Liberal Party, with Member for Northern Metropolitan Region Craig Ondarchie likening the government’s approval of the bill to an episode of The Block. “You get to vote on it before the job is complete – there is still a lot of work to be done on this bill before it should come to the house for approval,” he said.
Opposition health spokeswoman Georgie Crozier said the bill was “somewhat risky”. “It’s really about the inability to test that impairment level,” she said.
“We can do that with blood alcohol but the ability to detect the presence of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is very difficult … until there can be that specific test being undertaken then it is somewhat risky.”
Medicinal cannabis is generally prescribed for epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, symptom relief in palliative care and symptoms associated with cancer and cancer treatment.
Cannabis in Australia is only legal for medicinal use. Patients can acquire a prescription from a physician who is qualified to prescribe Cannabis.
Photo by Aphiwat
What Is Medicinal Cannabis Generally Prescribed For?
The below list is a handful of a what Medicinal Marijuana has been prescribed for, this not limited to the below. It’s entirely up to your Doctor if they think you will benefit from it.
Epilepsy
Multiple Sclerosis
Symptoms associated with cancer
cancer treatment (such as nausea, pain and loss of appetite)
Pain
Symptom relief in palliative care
For more information on who Fiona Patten is, you can visit the below links:
Marijuana may be illegal in Hong Kong, but a new cafe is offering a range of food and drinks that are infused with compounds derived from the cannabis plant without breaking any local laws.
The cafe, named Found, is a first for the city to offer a range of beverages, biscuits, beer and fruit juices that contain cannabidiol, or CBD, a substance from the cannabis plant that is said to offer therapeutic effects without getting users intoxicated.
Cannabis’s tetrahydrocannabinol compound — commonly known as THC — is the psychoactive ingredient that gives users get high or stoned. But unlike THC, CBD is typically used to help reduce stress without the high.
WATCH
What’s CBD Coffee Like?
One Found customer, Killian Hussey, who works in finance in Hong Kong, said consuming CBD coffee is relaxing.
“The coffee is delicious, and I like the effect that the CBD has on me,” Hussey said. “Cognitively and physically, it kind of helps me get through the aches and pains of a normal day.”
A bottle of cold CBD-infused coffee costs 80 Hong Kong dollars ($10) at Found, while a can of CBD beer is HK$70 ($9). The cafe, which had a soft opening this month, is expected to be fully operational in October.
“Hong Kong is actually one of Asia’s most progressive cannabinoid markets,” said Fiachra Mullen, co-owner of Altum International, a cannabinoids supplier in Asia that operates Found. “Unlike other parts of the region — Australia, New Zealand, Singapore — it’s actually quite a progressive cannabinoid law in Hong Kong.”
Mullen said that he hopes the cafe can help break down the stigma surrounding CBD products, and wants to distance CBD from cannabis and the recreational use of drugs.
Found can sell cannabinoids in food as long as there is no THC in the products, he said.
According to the Hong Kong government’s Centre for Food and Safety, under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, the illicit import of cannabis or any products that contain controlled cannabinoids constitutes a criminal offense.
Although CBD is a cannabinoid, it is not classified as a dangerous drug under Hong Kong law.
Porsche has released two variants of the hemp-made vehicle, including a special Track Day Version.
From aluminum to the racing carbon fiber, the list of lightweight materials used in modern cars grows longer by the day. But the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport — a racing version of the German automaker’s 718 Cayman sports car — tries something different. Parts of the body are made from what Porsche calls an “organic fiber mix” derived from agricultural byproducts such as hemp and flax.
Porsche isn’t the first automaker with this sort of idea, however. Back in 1941 Henry Ford built a prototype with a body made entirely from plastic that reportedly used cellulose from hemp, wheat and soybeans in its construction, although the exact formula has been lost to history.
The hemp material is used in the Clubsport’s doors and rear wing spoiler. It has “similar properties to carbon fiber in terms of weight and stiffness,” according to Porsche, but is a bit more eco-friendly. The track car weighs only 1320kg.
The Clubsport isn’t road legal, but it likely previews a new Cayman GT4 road car that you will be able to slap license plates on. The last Cayman GT4 was a limited-edition model beloved by enthusiasts for its pure driving experience. Porsche has traditionally restrained the Cayman so that it doesn’t overshadow the 911, but with the GT4, it briefly seemed to let the Cayman off that leash.
While all current 718 Cayman models use turbocharged four-cylinder engines, the Clubsport continues to use a 3.8-liter naturally aspirated boxer-six from the model’s previous generation. The mid-mounted engine produces 425 horsepower and 313 pound-feet of torque. Power is sent to the rear wheels through a six-speed dual-clutch transmission. The car also features upgraded suspension (derived from the 911 GT3 Cup race car) and brakes, as well as mandatory safety equipment like a roll cage, six-point harnesses, and rescue hatch in the roof.
Porsche will sell two versions of the Clubsport. The Trackday model is aimed at amateur drivers looking for a fun toy, while the Competition model is designed for actual racing. The main upgrades for the Competition include adjustable shock absorbers, adjustable brake balance, an air jacking system, and a quick-release steering wheel.
Both versions of the 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport are available to order now. The Trackday starts at $152,895, while the Competition starts at $179,140. Cars like this are arguably the soul of Porsche, which has always tried to maintain a close relationship between its racing and street legal models. We’ll see if that continues as Porsche road cars and race cars gradually go electric.
All customer orders come from the factory with an integrated roll cage, racing bucket seat, and six-point harness, all certified for racing. Speaking about the model, Troy Bundy, head of Motorsport at Porsche Cars Australia, said:
“While our Porsche PAYCE Carrera Cup and Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge series remain our focus domestically, we also see a place in the market for the 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport as a track day car and GT4 race car. The 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport is an ideal track day car for graduates of Level 5 of our Porsche Track Experience, who may be keen to do more track days and state-based racing before moving up the Porsche Motorsport pyramid into Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge.”
Troy Bundy | Head Of Motorsport | Porsche Cars Australia
Switzerland’s Council of States has approved a plan to start cannabis trials for recreational use, but only ‘experienced cannabis users’ should apply. The study, which was approved by the Council of States on Wednesday, hopes to find out more about the effects that a controlled legalization of the drug would have in Switzerland.
As reported in Swiss news outlet Watson, the government is looking “only for adults who already use cannabis to take part in the study”.
The proposal was previously approved by Switzerland’s lower house – the National Council – in June.
The decision to embark upon the trial was to be made in March but was delated due to the coronavirus pandemic. The experiments are to be carried out in Switzerland’s larger cities. Basel, Bern, Biel, Geneva and Zurich have all expressed interest in conducting the trials.
The study wants to understand how the market for cannabis works – and how to combat the black market. The social effects of legalisation are also set to be studied.
“The models must be tested before starting the debate on whether or not to liberalise cannabis,”
Only people who currently use cannabis – and can prove it – will be allowed to participate. Proof will be determined through a hair sample.
Organic Swiss Weed
There remains one sticking point between Switzerland’s lower and upper house. While the National Council has demanded that Swiss-grown, organic cannabis be used as part of the trial – the Council of States has said it does not want to make this a requirement.
Instead, organic, Swiss-grown cannabis must be used in the trial “wherever possible”, with the Council of States noting that such cannabis is hard to find.
Minister of Health Alain Berset said that a legalisation should benefit Swiss farmers even though “very few producers have experience in this area”.
Cannabis Users In Switzerland
An estimated 200,000 people smoke cannabis products in Switzerland. Those in favour of the new trial argue that this shows the war on drugs has failed miserably.
The sale of cannabis products containing up to one percent tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) – the ingredient that makes users high – has been legal in Switzerland since 2011. Regular strength cannabis and other associated products such as hashish are also illegal, although small amounts (less than ten grams) are decriminalised and will only attract a 100 franc on-the-spot fine.
A poll by the World Health Organisation showed that more teenagers smoked in Switzerland than in any other European country, with 27 percent of 15 year olds having smoked at least once. The use of cannabis for medical purposes is also heavily restricted in Switzerland, with only one product – CBD oil – legally available for sale.
There’s plenty of anecdotal evidence that Cannabidiol (CBD) oil – a concentrated oily extract made from cannabis – can help treat a variety of ailments. It’s said to help with everything from epileptic seizures to opioid addiction, PTSD to arthritis.
But despite CBD oil’s high profile status, there’s still a lot of confusion about what it actually is, and what it’s made from. Certain types of CBD oil are already legally available in the UK – such as those made from hemp – whereas other types are very much illegal in the UK – though are available to buy in other countries
CBD oil extracted from hemp is often marketed as a food supplement to promote well-being – similar to other herbals like Echinacea – and boost the immune system. Although Hemp CBD oil is legal, it is not a medicine and should not be confused with the recent confiscation of 12-year-old Billy Caldwell’s CBD oil at Heathrow airport.
Billy had flown with his mother to Canada to buy the CBD oil – which helps to keep his daily epileptic seizures at bay. But his oil was confiscated because it was made from cannabis flowers and leaves, and so was classed as illegal in the UK, pushing childhood epilepsy and CBD oil into the spotlight.
So far, so confusing, but part of the problem is that terms like cannabis and hemp are often used interchangeably – which masks the nuances and complexities of the cannabis plant.
Cannabis sativa L, the scientific name of the cannabis plant, is cultivated to produce two distinctive products – industrial hemp, and cannabis. The main difference between hemp and cannabis is based on two criteria. First, the levels of cannabinoids – a family of chemical compounds, the cannabis plant naturally produces – and second, the end use.
According to current UK drug laws, cannabis is classified as an illegal drug because of the psychoactive properties of THC, the component in it that creates the “high”. And under UK law, cannabis is deemed to have a high potential for abuse – with no accepted medical properties.
Hemp Vs Cannabis
But this is where it gets even more confusing because cannabis can be bred to create different strains. Cannabis consumed for recreational purposes is selectively bred to optimise high THC content strains – to maximise the “high” feeling. But cannabis also contains CBD, which is a non-psychoactive component.
Hemp, on the other hand, is harnessed as seed, oil and fibre to produce a wide range of products. It is cultivated to produce a low concentration of the psychoactive cannabinoid THC – as well as higher levels of the non-psychoactive cannabinoid CBD.
Cannabis is classified as hemp if it has a maximum level of 0.2% THC. Billy’s CBD oil, confiscated at Heathrow, was made from cannabis with a higher level than 0.2% of THC – so it was classed as cannabis, which is why it was confiscated.
Medical Marijuana
A recent survey conducted by Sky News found that 82% of their poll subjects agreed that medical cannabis should be legalized. Professor Dame Sally Davies, the chief medical officer for England, who was appointed to investigate the current scientific and medical evidence, about the therapeutic properties of cannabis-based products, also believes this. She recently said that “doctors should be able to prescribe” cannabis.
Davies has recommended the removal of cannabis from schedule one classification – which covers a group of drugs considered to have no medical purpose, that cannot be legally possessed or prescribed.
In Billy Caldwell’s case, the home secretary, Sajid Javid, made the decision to grant Billy access to imported CBD oil. This fresh approach to reconsider the classification of cannabis has been seminal, and mirrors wider sentiment in other countries. In the US, for example, medical cannabis programmes have been initiated in 30 states. Hence, medical tourism to Canada – where cannabis is legal for medicinal purposes – and the US to gain access to CBD oil.
In the UK, however, Sajid Javid will not reclassify cannabis until the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs provides recommendations about the public health implications – which will include the abuse potential of cannabis-based CBD. Though it seems very likely that the home secretary will continue to move towards a patient focused resolution.
For patients like Billy then, what this means is that cannabis-based CBD oil could soon be prescribed in the UK under controlled conditions, by registered practitioners, and for medical benefit.
Snoop Dogg, left, and Martha Stewart pose in the press room at the MTV Movie and TV Awards at the Shrine Auditorium on Sunday, May 7, 2017, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)
Canopy Growth Corp. and Martha Stewart are starting their joint bid to break into the CBD market, betting that curated flavors and her celebrity name will bring the ingredient to a new demographic.
As the stigma around Cannabis starts to diminish the popularity of CBD has dramatically increased over the last 3 years. CBD companies promote it as a natural way to alleviate our anxieties and pain without the “stoned” you may get from cannabis. There are currently around 3,000 brands in a market that some executives and industry experts are predicting the market will reach $10 billion in annual sales in the U.S. by 2023.
What CBD Products Will Be Available?
From September 10th Martha Stewarts brand of Gummies are available. The Gummies are available in a range of flavors such as kumquat & huckleberry, along with soft gels and oil drops, on its website.
The Cannabis derived products were developed with Stewart’s input on marketing and taste – she sees the products as comparable to French dessert “rather than the sticky, overly sweet versions you might find elsewhere.” The launch comes as her brand is being revived by consumers looking to improve their quality of life in quarantine.
“I’ve found that CBD supplements are a simple way to enhance my own health and wellness, especially when it comes to managing the stresses of daily life,”.
Martha Stewart
Klein said in an interview that the timing is good. The product is “coming into the marketplace now when there are high stress levels,” referring to the current COVID-19 pandemic.
While consumers may indeed be looking for new ways to alleviate their nerves amid this year’s historic upheaval, one expert says it will be challenging to stand out in such a noisy market.
At the same time, CBD sales growth has slowed to 14% this year after jumping 562% in 2019. An oversupply of hemp in 2019 has also pushed the average product price down by 20% to 40%, Gomez said.
Nonetheless, a celebrity could make the difference for Canopy. “Adding a name like Martha Stewart may potentially entice more people to come into the space,” Gomez said.
Stewart, 79, currently serves as chief creative officer for Marquee Brands LLC, an investment firm that owns her brand name and other consumer companies, including sportswear retailer Dakine. She also remains on the board of Sequential Brands Group Inc., which licenses apparel and home-goods brands and sold the Martha Stewart brand to Marquee as part of a $175 million deal last year.
Canopy says there’s still plenty of potential for CBD growth, estimating that while around 86% of Americans have heard of the product but only 18% of Americans have tried it. Martha has a household name, meanwhile, should help attract female consumers in the age range of 46 to 65.
Will There Be CBD For Pets?
Yes! Canopy will add a Stewart-branded line of CBD products for pets later this year, industry experts see this segment reaching as much as $600 million in additional annual sales.
What’s Next For Martha Stewart?
Beyond the human and pet lines she’s developing with Canopy, Stewart says she plans to launch a CBD skincare line called 86 Elm in a separate partnership with a yet-to-be-named dermatologist.
The biggest current celebrity with a CBD product so far is NFL star Rob Gronkowski, who is partnered with CBDMedic. Charlotte’s Web, which purchased the parent company of CBDMedic earlier this year, is the top selling CBD brand, followed by Medterra and Green Roads, according to Brightfield data.
For those who are not from Australia the TGA is the equivalent of the FDA.
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) today released a notice of interim decision to amend the Poisons Standard for CBD. The proposed amendment to down schedule CBD from Schedule 4 would allow CBD to be supplied for therapeutic use under a new Schedule 3 entry. The access to cannabis without needing a prescription would allow Australian Cannabis patients to acquire low dose CBD products over the counter upon consultation with a pharmacist, without the need for a prescription. This takes out unnecessary cost & time which requires patients like myself to go through multiple channels seeking approval and delivery of medication.
Althea has engaged with the TGA throughout the consultation process and is supportive of the down scheduling of CBD. The proposed amendment would bring patient access into closer alignment with comparable international jurisdictions, improving access to CBD products for therapeutic use. Since listing in September 2018, with a focus on patient access, Althea has quickly grown its footprint in the Australian medicinal cannabis market and is one of the leading providers in the space.
“We applaud the TGA’s interim decision in this matter and see it as one of the biggest developments in our industry to date. The interim decision reflects the significant shift in community and government attitudes towards medicinal cannabis since it was legalised in Australia in late 2016, which has seen it move from a fringe alternative towards an accepted mainstream option. As a strong advocate for patient access, Althea has closely monitored the proposed amendment since it began and has participated in the consultation process. We are excited by the TGA’s interim decision to down schedule CBD products and see this development as a big step forward for prescription cannabis products already available in Australia.”
Althea CEO Josh Fegan
Unfortunately I can’t applaud too much, this is another extremely slow step “forward” by the TGA.
CBD products will need to include warning statements and safety directions, and meet the following criteria:
The cannabidiol is either plant derived, or when synthetic only contains the (-) CBD enantiomer;
This only applies to medicine orally taken, not vaped or dry flower.
The maximum recommended daily dose is 60 mg or less of cannabidiol; in packs containing not more than 30 days’ supply;
Cannabidiol ( CBD ) comprises 98 per cent or more of the total cannabinoid content of the preparation;
Any cannabinoids, other than cannabidiol, must be only those naturally found in cannabis and comprise 2 per cent or less of the total cannabinoid content of the preparation; For adults aged 18 years and over; and packed in blister or strip packaging or in a container fitted with a child-resistant closure.
Regulators have said it would make a final ruling on the issue by November 25, and if approved it would come into effect on June 1, 2021.
Australian cannabis companies will need to apply for their CBD products to be listed on the Schedule 3 register, so consumers shouldn’t expect them in pharmacies until mid next year or even later on in 2021.
