Medical marijuana (cannabis) may offer a promising option for patients with chronic itch, according to a new case study. Chronic itch — known clinically as chronic pruritus — is characterized as an unrelenting and sometimes even debilitating sensation to itch, and often lowers the quality of life for those who have it. Treating the condition has proved difficult because there are few Food and Drug Administration-approved therapies. “Chronic itch can be an especially difficult condition to treat, with off-label therapeutics often utilized,” says Shawn Kwatra, assistant professor of dermatology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. “With the increased utilization of medical marijuana and our knowledge of the role of the endocannabinoid system [a complex cell-signaling system that regulates a variety of functions in the body] in chronic itch, we decided to try medical marijuana with a patient who failed several therapies and had few options left.” Kwatra and colleagues examined an African American woman in her 60s with a 10-year history of chronic itch. The patient initially arrived at the Johns Hopkins Itch Center with complaints of extreme pruritus on her arms, legs, and stomach. A skin examination revealed numerous hyperpigmented, raised skin lesions. The patient tried several treatments — including systemic therapies, centrally acting nasal sprays, steroid creams, and phototherapy — but they all failed. Kwatra says that using medical marijuana — either by smoking or in liquid form — provided the woman with nearly instantaneous improvement. “We had the patient rate her symptoms using a numerical rating scale, where 10 is the worst itch and zero is no itch at all,” Kwatra says. “She started at 10 but dropped to 4 within 10 minutes after initial administration of the medical marijuana. With continued use of the cannabis, the patient’s itch disappeared altogether.” The researchers believe that one of the active ingredients in medical marijuana, tetrahydrocannabinol — commonly known by its abbreviation THC — attaches itself to brain receptors that influence the nervous system. When this occurs, inflammation and nervous system activity decrease, which also could lead to a reduction in skin sensations such as itchiness. Although conclusive studies have yet to be done to validate medical marijuana as an effective measure for the relief of previously unmanageable itch, Kwatra believes it warrants further clinical trials. “Controlled studies are needed to determine dosing, efficacy, and safety for medical marijuana in the treatment of various human itch subtypes, and once those are performed, we will better understand which patients are most likely to benefit from this therapy,” he says. A report on the new findings appears in JAMA Dermatology. Source: Johns Hopkins University. Original Study DOI: 10.1001/jamadermatol.2021.1194. This article shared under the Attribution 4.0 International license; originally published on Futurity. Via https://cannatechtoday.com/can-cannabis-ease-chronic-itch/
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Cannabis reform is sweeping the European continent, as evidenced by the fact that Malta recently passed the continent’s first-ever adult-use legalization measure. A number of other countries have made it public that their current lawmakers have plans to do the same in the somewhat near future. Italy is a European country that has been on the cusp of legalization for a handful of years now. Voters are likely to see a legalization referendum on the ballot next year. Fortunately for the hardworking activists who pushed for the referendum, Italy’s Prime Minister indicated this month that the government has no plans to stand in the way of the referendum moving forward. 2021 Signature DriveEarlier this year cannabis activists in Italy turned in roughly 630,000 signatures in an attempt to get limited cannabis legalization in front of voters. The signature drive was originally launched in September 2021 and it only took a handful of weeks in order to get to the 630,000+ mark, thanks largely to new digital signature gathering provisions in Italy. Activists around the globe were worried Italy’s government would try, at the very least, to slow down the process of the vote. Italy’s Prime Minister indicated otherwise. “The government will not be constituted against the admissibility of referendums,” Prime Minister Mario Draghi said at a recent press conference (translated from Italian to English). “The government could in some cases have created conditions whereby the presentation would be postponed to next year and it has not done so.” Building On Case LawIn late 2019, Italy’s Supreme Court determined that cannabis prohibition as it pertains to personal cultivation was unconstitutional, paving the way for adult-use legalization in Italy, at least to some degree. The Court decision provides some protection. It also leaves more questions than answers, which is why the referendum measure is still necessary. Since the 2019 ruling, lawmakers in Italy have tried to pass a comprehensive adult-use legalization measure. Passage of such legislation has remained elusive. Thankfully, Italy has the referendum process in place so that the voters in Italy can do something that apparently the Supreme Court and lawmakers in Italy cannot do: end cannabis prohibition once and for all. Via https://cannatechtoday.com/italys-government-will-not-block-cannabis-legalization-referendum/ Isolating and refining cannabinoids is an exact science. There are thermodynamics and a lot of chemistry involved that, frankly, fly outside of this writer’s depth. To understand the role of accurate temperature control in reducing process times, recovering solvents, and improving purity, Cannabis & Tech Today spoke with Georg Kiefer, CEO of Huber. His company pioneered the development of closed loop systems for creating concentrates. These systems prevent solvents from being exposed to the air, allow them to be reused, and reduce the risk of explosions. Huber has been specializing in high precision temperature control solutions for more than fifty years. Cannabis & Tech Today: What are some of the major challenges facing extractors?George Kiefer: Long process times, low solvent recovery, and product impurities are some of the challenges faced by many extractors. Stable, accurate temperature control helps resolve these issues and allows precise, repeatable methods to be developed. C&T Today: Labs and extractors use containers of hot water, known as open baths, to enable certain chemical reactions to occur at high temperatures. Huber created Unistats as an alternative to open baths. How are they unique?GK: We have a saying, no matter where you are in your process, we have a Unistat for that! Unistats are circulation thermostats without a temperature control bath. A much smaller internal tank replaces the conventional bath and an expansion vessel compensates for volume changes occurring due to thermal changes for externally connected systems. The Unistat is therefore hydraulically sealed and can be located under the table without incurring any level problem. In practice, there are other concrete advantages which arise in your result: tangibly shorter heating up and cooling down times, improved stability and reproducibility of the whole processing chain, more security for expensive glass reactors and the substances contained in them, as well as comfortable operation. They are one of a kind with no alternatives, thermodynamically speaking. C&T Today: Extraction equipment can be expensive and time-consuming to repair. How can processors get the most value from their technology?GK: Be sure providers offer a warranty and responsive customer service. Huber offers a standard three-year warranty. Just this year, we upped it to 4 years on our open baths and circulators purchased after January 1, 2019. Many cannabis companies shuttered in 2020 and we hoped to alleviate some economic burdens some are still facing by adding an additional year to these lines commonly used in the industry. C&T Today: What’s the next big transition that needs to happen for temperature control solutions?GK: Eco-friendly refrigerants. We offer a large part of our product range with environmentally-friendly refrigerants as standard. The extraction industry is moving towards sustainability and this is an area we have always found key to growth on a global scale. More than anything, we want to help our partners and customers grow into entities that shape the world. ϖ Via https://cannatechtoday.com/extracting-answers-with-huber-ceo-georg-kiefer/ For centuries, cannabis prohibition did not exist at all. Thankfully, things are trending back in that direction, albeit slowly. In addition to the dozens of countries with medical cannabis laws, there are now three countries that have legalized cannabis for adult use. Malta became the latest country to do so when lawmakers passed an adult use measure in recent weeks. Malta was the first in Europe to legalize. Uruguay was the first on earth to legalize back in 2013 and Canada followed suit in 2018. Social cannabis use is permitted in some forms in all three nations. Will Social Cannabis Use Become the Norm?When people think about legalizing cannabis they often think of possessing, cultivating, and selling cannabis. While those are certainly components of full legalization, there are also other facets. Social cannabis use is one of those facets. Social cannabis use is essentially when cannabis use occurs at a venue or an event. It can either be an actual part of the business model, such as at a cannabis social hall where people pay to get in, or it can simply be allowed to occur on the property, such as a cannabis smoking section outside of a restaurant. A “one-size-fits-all” approach to describing what social use is can be tough because social cannabis use can come in many forms. If people can legally purchase cannabis, they need to be able to legally consume it somewhere, which can be tough at hotels and rental properties. Consuming openly in public is still taboo everywhere. It’s why social use is a vital plank in the greater cannabis reform platform. Industry OpportunitiesFew sectors of the cannabis industry, if any, possess as much potential as social cannabis use. Cannabis tourism, which is going to be huge in the future, is just one component of social use. Imagine a social business model and then apply cannabis to it. For example, many people like to play Bingo or video games. Now imagine a Bingo hall or arcade that also allows cannabis consumption. Social cannabis use has the potential to make so many current businesses better, and lead to the creation of completely new businesses. Obviously, there will be some limitations for safety reasons. Just as alcohol is not permitted to be combined with any and all activities, the same will be true for cannabis. With that being said, many social use business models are straightforward and fairly cheap to start, which will lower the barrier of meaningful entry to the cannabis space for many people, and that is always a good thing. Via https://cannatechtoday.com/international-social-use-cannabis-reform-will-be-a-popular-topic-in-2022/ Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) has made one thing very clear: he’s pro-weed. In a fundraising email to his supporters in March 2021, he was very transparent. “Voters in four more states this election voted to legalize adult recreational use of marijuana, and that proves once again it’s past time to work to undo the harm done by misplaced priorities, particularly in the Black and brown communities,” he wrote. “It’s time to decriminalize marijuana nationally.” Those are bold yet unsurprising words from the senator who has been voicing his opinion on cannabis legislation for years. Let’s see just how close the U.S. is getting to legalization. The New Road to LegalizationThe good news for cannabis patients and enthusiasts is that Schumer’s words are being backed up by action. In the spring, Schumer started working with Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) to release a draft bill to end federal marijuana prohibition. As this is written, Schumer has claimed the bill will be on the floor soon but has not indicated how soon that will be. It’s also unclear at this time what specifically this bill will entail; however, there is speculation that it will establish decriminalization before enacting full legalization. It’s expected to remove cannabis from the list of federally controlled substances as well as promote social equity. Schumer has claimed the bill will specifically seek to restrict the ability of large alcohol and tobacco companies to overtake the industry and instead prioritize small businesses, particularly those owned by people from communities most impacted by prohibition. In the House, Judiciary Chairman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) said he plans to reintroduce his legalization bill, the Marijuana Opportunity, Reinvestment, and Expungement (MORE) Act, which cleared the House last year but did not advance in the GOP-controlled Senate. With Democrats controlling the majority of both chambers, as well as the White House, there is a sense of optimism that comprehensive reform is achievable. Step by Step, State by StateThe 2020 election had four wins when it came to state-level legalization of marijuana. Arizona, New Jersey, South Dakota, and Montana all gathered enough votes to legalize recreational cannabis in their respective states, bringing the grand total of recreationally-legal states to fifteen. Also, during the 2020 election, Mississippi voters approved a statute to legalize medical marijuana, a significant step for conservative states. However, Minnesota and Nebraska are also expected to hand the issue over to voters in 2022 after their legalization bills failed to make it through their respective legislatures. To end on a positive note, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey signed a medical marijuana legalization bill into law in May 2021, marking another important step forward for conservative states. Giving Hemp a BoostHemp was legalized under the 2018 Farm Bill, but the Food and Drug Administration has still not finalized the process to allow derivatives such as CBD to be used in consumable products like food, drinks, and dietary supplements. A new Senate bill hopes to change that. Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR) (the same Senator working with Schumer on cannabis decriminalization), Rand Paul (R-KY), and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) have introduced the Hemp Access and Consumer Safety Act, which would exempt “hemp, hemp-derived cannabidiol, or a substance containing any other ingredient from hemp” from certain restrictions that have blocked the emergence of legal consumable hemp products. The bill also states that officials may establish labeling and packaging requirements for hemp-derived products. In a press release, Wyden explained, “CBD products are legally being used and produced across the nation. Yet because the FDA has failed to update its regulations, consumers and producers remain in a regulatory gray zone … It’s long past time for the FDA to get with the program, for the sake of the American consumers and farmers.” As this is written, the Bill has not yet passed. However, if or when it does, it would provide relief to hemp farmers, processors, and merchants all over the U.S. ϖ Via https://cannatechtoday.com/progress-report-cannabis-legalization/ In late August 2020, a storm howling with hurricane-force winds swept through the Midwest, damaging nearly 40 million acres of farmland. Illinois farmers watched helplessly as 6.95 million acres of corn endured wind speeds above 100 miles per hour. Unpredictable weather patterns are becoming more frequent, and the agriculture industry is facing more instability as a result. For hemp farmers in the Midwest, the only guarantee against crop loss is insurance. It’s not just storms growers have to prepare for; it’s all varieties of weather. If yields are lower than expected or a heatwave stunted growth, there’s insurance for that. What if the cannabinoid levels aren’t within the desired thresholds? That’s something crop insurance can cover as well. Illinois hemp farmers, more than many other regions, are dealing with large-scale production. They’re working with bigger yields and, as such, greater risks. John Read, the founder of Hempsurance, is a fourth-generation Illinois farmer who understands the state’s unique advantages. “We see large production agriculture being the leader in making hemp a mainstay crop in the U.S. When you farm in the Midwest, as opposed to other areas of the country, we’ve got large equipment and we understand how to farm at scale. We have rich soils which drive large yields quickly over a large scale of acres.” This economy of scale makes the need for insurance even more pronounced, as a loss of even a small portion of one’s harvest could have huge financial implications. Read says the biggest hurdle for farmers is understanding what they need to protect. “We help the grower understand what his true costs are so we can make sure he’s insured to break even or ultimately even insure some type of profit on an annual basis.” Read’s Hempguard program can insure up to $15,000 an acre, a unique advantage of being the nation’s first private outdoor hemp crop insurance program. Losses endured by the farmer impact more than one person’s livelihood. Each year, agriculture contributes $17 million to the state’s economy. Everyone benefits when farmers are protected. These days, it seems like there’s a lot to insure against. Insects are always a threat. Disease can rear its ugly head at any time. Plus, with hemps’s relatively recent arrival to the domestic agriculture scene, there’s still a lot to learn about how it performs and which threats are most pressing. “As this is a new crop, we simply do not know what is and is not working in the Midwest,” said Philip Alberti, an Illinois Extension commercial agriculture educator. Hempsurance also protects against mold, leaf spot, and other quality concerns. The most important aspect of finding an insurance agency is making sure the company understands the farmer’s needs. “Our company is completely hemp-focused. We understand the market from the grower side all the way through the distribution channels to help ensure farmers are properly protected,” said Read. ϖ Via https://cannatechtoday.com/why-midwest-farmers-are-counting-on-crop-insurance/ Jólabókaflóð or “Christmas/Yule Book Flood,” is an Icelandic holiday tradition consisting of exchanging books with friends and loved ones on Christmas Eve, then spending the evening reading them aloud to one another, while gathered in front of the fireplace, or curled up in bed with a partner and perhaps some chocolate and cozy drinks. The tradition is similar to the Danish philosophy of Hygge. While giving books as holiday gifts is not unique to Iceland, their tradition of exchanging books on Christmas Eve and then spending the evening reading is becoming a cultural phenomenon and a practice worth passing along. The tradition derives from a scarcity of Christmas gifts during WWII, making books the most practical gifts, and has evolved to eagerly anticipated catalogs of Jólabókaflóð circulating for advanced ordering. In the spirit of the Jólabókaflóð (phonetically pronounced yo-la-bok-a-flot.) tradition, the following are some selections for the cannabis curious on Christmas Eve. The Little Book of Cannabis: How Marijuana Can Improve Your Life is a nonfiction book about cannabis by Canadian journalist Amanda Siebert, published by Greystone Books. It was the bestselling nonfiction book about cannabis in Canada in early 2019. Written by award-winning cannabis journalist Amanda Siebert, with a foreword by Dr. Rav Ivker, this fun, illuminating book outlines 10 evidence-based ways cannabis can help with everything from decreasing anxiety to increasing one’s libido to motivating weight-loss to improving sleep. In it, Siebert delves deep into cannabis research, interviewing some of the world’s top researchers, medical professionals, and consultants to separate marijuana fact from fiction. She also offers practical advice for enjoying its benefits, including easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions for consumption and dosage, as well as examples of real people who have used this drug to enhance their lives. Cannabis, it turns out, could be life-changing: it can enrich any diet, slow down aging, and even spice things up in the bedroom. It is a perfect guidebook for the canna-curious person on your Christmas list. Cannabis and Sustainable Development: Paving the Way for the Next Decade in Cannabis and Hemp Policy, published by FAAAT Editions. by Kenz Riboulet-Zemoulii, Michael Krawitz, et. al. explains how cannabis cultivation aligns with the United Nation’s sustainable development goals. Two of the most extraordinary things about this well-researched book are 1) It comes in English and Spanish and 2) It is absolutely free; although I recommend that people be kind and make a donation to FAAAT, the non-profit organization of activists who published the book, to at least cover postage and support their excellent mission! The Sustainable Cannabis Policy Toolkit is a comprehensive report analyzing the opportunities and challenges of cannabis & hemp regulations under the policy framework of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals. It compiles the findings of an international multi-stakeholder working group (2016-2019). It includes a series of action-oriented recommendations to align cannabis & hemp laws and policies with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The work is a significant contribution to post-prohibition studies. According to one of the authors, Kenzi Riboulet-Zemouli, “The toolkit assists decision-makers, scholars, policy advocates, as well as curious minds and the general public, in adopting a regulatory approach to cannabis & hemp that balances health, profits, peoples, societies, and the environment.” Oh, the Places You’ll Go Oh Oh! by Nicolle Hodges is a book about the power of pleasure, written in Dr. Seuss style verse. Hodges says, “I wrote this book because it’s what I wish I had growing up. I wrote this for anyone who wants to escape The Shaming Place. I wrote it for mothers and fathers who want to open a conversation with their daughters (and sons) around virginity – a concept that we are collectively rebranding as a sexual debut. Let there be cake! It’s my hope that this light-hearted book opens up a world of possibility. I hope that all women today remember their power, and the women who come after us are never made to forget it. I wrote it for you because you are worthy of pleasure. You ARE pleasure.” High as a Kite is a collection of decade-defining, kitschy ’80’s tattoo flash, paintings, illustrations, photography, and memorabilia assembled by Houston tattoo artist, Danny G. The book features an assortment of original flash – the sheets of designs that tattoo artists draw up – by some of the top names in traditional American tattooing today, including Florian Santus, Ivan Antonyshev, Austin Maples, Nate Hudak, Ryan Cooper Thompson, Joe Tartarotti, Becca Genne-Bacon and many more. Some of the artwork is cannabis-related, in the traditional style. WEED: Everything You Want to Know But Are Always Too Stoned to Ask by Michelle Lhooq is bursting with helpful advice and yummy cannabis-infused recipes. WEED contains smoking, cooking, and cultivation tips, as well as proper stoner etiquette and a guide to must-see destinations around the world. As legalization sweeps the globe, a whole new generation of younger millennials and Gen Z benefit from the advocacy and revolution enacted by their Boomer, Gen X, and elder millennial forebearers. Unfortunately, a whitewashed, legal weed bro culture is evolving simultaneously with broccoli heads. WEED is the antidote to that. Journalist Michelle Lhooq lives in Los Angeles, California, the first state to legalize cannabis via Prop 64. Through her interviews with weedfluencers and personal experience, she presents a guidebook with valuable tips on smoking joints, vapes, and concentrates; making edibles and infused cocktails, cultivating at home, and locating dispensaries. It also imparts the genius of renowned, pioneering dub music producer Lee “Scratch” Perry. Complete with vibrant, kitschy hand-drawn illustrations by the artist Thu Tran, Weed is a cool coffee table book for people who need a book to roll weed on while couch-locked because they are too stoned to find their rolling tray. The Marijuana Grower’s Handbook, by Tom McCarthy, is written by an off-the-grid outdoorsman under a pseudonym. This book is a practical growing guide for those curious about learning the art and science of cannabis cultivation. Cultivation enthusiasts who are not as knowledgeable as Danny Danko and do not own a BiFarm will find this handbook helpful. The Official High Times Cannabis Cookbook: More Than 50 Irresistible Recipes That Will Get You High, by Elise McDonough.Back in the day when High Times was the leading authority on everything weed before legalization began sweeping the globe, legacy cannabis chef Ms. McDonough wrote the infused version of The Joy of Cooking. More recently, McDonough created cannabis-infused beverage line Jem + Jane before becoming brand manager at Binske while still cooking up a storm. This classic, enduring cookbook is always an appropriate gift for edibles aficionados. The book’s highlight is its chapter on holiday fare, featuring a THC turkey injected with a “magic marinade” that, in conjunction with tryptophan, could mellow out the most dysfunctional family gatherings. Runner’s High: How a Movement of Cannabis-Fueled Athletes Is Changing the Science of Sports by Josiah Hesse.Think Michael Pollan’s How to Change Your Mind meets Christopher McDougall’s Born to Run in this immersive, investigative look at the hidden culture of cannabis use among elite athletes (as well as weekend warriors). The surprising emerging science behind the elusive, exhilarating “runner’s high” they all seek goes beyond endorphins. The premise of this book is that cannabis makes exercise fun. The link between performance enhancement and cannabis was used to expel athlete Sha’Carri Richardson from an international competition on the premise that she took a “performance enhancer” on her days off. If using cannabis enhances one’s athletic performance, why is there still a skewed perception that herb only produces lazy, couch potato stoners? Scientists have conducted extensive research that uncovers the power of the “runner’s high” – the true holy grail of aerobic activity that was long believed to be caused by endorphins. In an extraordinary reversal, scientists believe marijuana may actually be the key to getting more Americans off their phones and on to their feet. However, before you jump-start your new year with a resolution to exercise more, snuggle up with a good cannabis book and hygge the holidays on Christmas Eve’s Jólabókaflóð. Lead image: Cannabis and Related Books – Suggested Reading for Jólabókaflóð. ©SARA BRITTANY SOMERSET Via https://cannatechtoday.com/holiday-gift-guide-2021-the-best-cannabis-books-for-jolabokaflod/ The World Health Organization estimates that as many as 1 out of every 160 children has some level of Autism spectrum disorder. Autism spectrum disorder is a developmental disorder that affects communication and behavior, with varying levels of severity. Difficulty with social interactions and restrictive or repetitive patterns of behavior are common characteristics of autism spectrum disorder. Researchers around the globe have investigated whether the cannabis plant may be able to treat the condition, with differing results depending on the study. CBD Versus THCThe cannabis plant contains dozens of cannabinoids, with CBD and THC being two of the most well known examples. CBD is a particularly popular cannabinoid for research that involves children, including adolescent autism spectrum disorder, because CBD does not cause euphoria. THC, on the other hand, does induce euphoria, which is a major taboo when it comes to treating children with any condition, no matter how debilitating the condition may be. However, researchers in Israel recently determined that THC may be a better treatment for adolescent autism spectrum disorder. “Studies that are underway mostly don’t focus enough on the details of what it is in the cannabis that may be helping people,” researcher Shani Poleg told The Times of Israel. “In our study, we looked at the details, and came up with surprising and interesting findings. “THC was more effective. The main difference was that THC treatment also improved social behavior, not only repetitive compulsive behavior,” Poleg said. Reducing the StigmaOne thing that is absolutely worth noting is that in a perfect scenario, no patient would ever be forced to choose between CBD and THC. Rather, they could use both if both cannabinoids are determined to be safe and effective for the particular patient and scenario. Yes, THC does induce euphoria. However, so do many other medicines that are given to children every day across the globe, including non-cannabis medicines used to treat adolescent autism spectrum disorder. Some day, hopefully, THC will not carry the stigma that it currently does, and parents and doctors will be able to base their treatment decisions solely on science and not have their decisions influenced by anti-cannabis propaganda. Via https://cannatechtoday.com/is-this-cannabinoid-being-overlooked-as-a-treatment-for-autism/ As many of us stayed sequestered in our home offices throughout 2021, constantly reminded of the importance of health and hygiene, the CBD industry shifted to address these and the other concerns brought about by the pandemic. We saw a large pop in high-THC products throughout 2021, for example, and an equally significant shift towards immunity-focused CBD products featuring new botanicals. Large CBD research initiatives took aim at anxiety and sleep, which were fitting targets in 2021 for reasons we’re all tired of hearing; plus, our 2021 US CBD Consumer Report that surveyed over 3,500 people nationwide rolled out as well. All the while, individual consumers and the organizations that represent them continue the seemingly endless effort to goad the FDA into stepping up the state of hemp regulation. There was plenty of good, bad, and “what, why?” when all of the industry is taken into account; here’s a look at some of the most important trends we observed across the CBD industry in 2021. Table of Contents
The Delta-8 Can of WormsPerhaps delta-9 THC is receiving less skepticism because of the favorable comparison to delta-8 THC, which has been a regulatory mess for everyone involved. Delta-8 THC is a close “relative” of delta-9 THC in that its composition and effects (intoxicating, like delta-9) are very similar. Earlier in 2021, several brands began offering delta-8 THC products as a “legal high” that worked around delta-9 THC restrictions. The rift was clear early on; some brands opted to give delta-8 a very wide berth, while others embraced the cannabinoid. Though there were other reasons, regulators were mostly riled up because, in order for a CBD product to contain more than a negligible amount of naturally scarce delta-8 THC, the manufacturer had to synthetically derive the cannabinoid from CBD. Hence, the middle and latter half of 2021 saw vehement warnings from the FDA and CDC as well as plenty of legislative scrambling on the state level to ban or restrict delta-8 THC. We’ve been closely monitoring the delta-8 THC situation, which isn’t quite over yet—we will continue to follow up as more developments surface. Pressure on FDA Continues to RiseExactly three years after the 2018 Farm Bill—which effectively ended the federal ban on hemp by defining legal “industrial hemp”—was enacted, the US Hemp Roundtable released this statement entitled “It’s Been Three Years and FDA Still Refuses to Regulate CBD.” The irony of the release date is not lost on this battle-worn pro-consumer group, which has stepped up to the plate repeatedly to enhance the state of CBD regulation so that consumers can stop playing Russian roulette with CBD products. Though the House of Representatives has proposed multiple actions this year that would pressure the FDA to regulate CBD (HR 841 and the CBD Product Safety and Standardization Act) and several in the years prior, nothing comes to fruition. Even with largely bipartisan support, each effort seems to fizzle out and loop back to no avail. Though we’re all waiting, we’re not waiting idly—thanks to the U.S. Hemp Authority and other certifying bodies, customers at least have some assurances that the products they’re buying are tested and manufactured in compliance with high standards. Supporting these pieces of legislation and the US Hemp Roundtable is a win-win for both hemp supporters and opponents because the industry is already here—it’s now about consumer safety. A Shift Towards High-THC ProductsIndustry mainstays and smaller brands alike took a much more liberal approach to delta-9 THC in 2021 than we have seen in previous years. Up until 2021, the vast majority of CBD brands were still pretty tentative, often disclaiming more than once on the labeling that their products were either THC-free or well below the legal limit. Now, brands like PlusCBD, Five, Cornbread, and others are more boldly advertising the (considerably higher) THC content, even advertising the milligrams per serving on the front of the label. From Five’s Daily Buzz Gummies to a selection of tinctures from Cornbread, we see as much as 5 milligrams of THC advertised per serving. To be clear, all of the cases mentioned are still compliant with the 2018 Farm Bill, as these brands have ratcheted up the overall hemp concentration so that 5mg/serving is still below the 0.3% line. Interested in the best full-spectrum CBD oil? See our Best CBD Oil of 2021 award winner. Gummies Gain GroundOn a much less contentious note, CBD gummies were by no means the new kid on the block at the beginning of 2021, but their steady climb seemed to accelerate into a run as brands read the writing on the wall. According to our 2021 consumer report, gummies are the preferred product by nearly 1 in 5 current CBD consumers. A huge swath of CBD industry frontrunners like CBDistillery, Lazarus Naturals, Cornbread Hemp, Five, Charlotte’s Web, Receptra, and PlusCBD launched new gummy lines and/or reworked their existing CBD gummies in 2021. Beyond the sheer volume, we were also pleased to see ample attention to making improvements in ingredient and formulation quality, extract availability, taste and texture, variety, and more. Suffice it to say, the bar has officially been raised; it is now much easier to find a potent, synergistically formulated CBD gummy filled with organic ingredients and far less sugar. See our Best CBD Gummy award winner of 2021. Synergistic Products Take HoldLike the “gummy boom,” we were also privy to the synergistic formulation trend well before 2021 rolled around, but it certainly picked up throughout the year. On both the cannabinoid front (expanding beyond the big three: CBN, CBG, and CBD) and the supporting botanicals front, the industry observed a sweeping effort to back up CBD with dozens of new ingredients. Where before you may have seen “melatonin” or “valerian root” slapped onto a label as more of a marketing ploy, we are now seeing research-driven formulations that integrate L-theanine, elderberry, vitamin B, ashwagandha, Lion’s Mane, manuka honey, mushrooms, and dozens of other botanicals. Most importantly, these formulations are actually aimed at immunity (relevant much?), focus, and other functional targets. As always, we’ll maintain a critical approach when evaluating these products to weed out hacky marketing tactics from the real research-backed formulations, but in 2021, we saw more of the latter. Check out the winners for the Best CBG of 2021 and Best CBN of 2021. New Studies and Delivery MethodsGone are the days of the 10-person qualitative CBD trial; CBD companies and partnering laboratories are seriously stepping up their research efforts as the FDA continues to ask for more data. Once again, we have to applaud CBDistillery for their massive strides in this direction throughout 2021 and before. Dubbed “pathfinder missions,” CBDistillery pledged earlier in the year to embark on 8 studies in partnership with the Releaf App, a cannabis use tracking app that allows people to log their dosage, experiences with products, and more. These studies will assess the impact of (CBDistillery) CBD products on sleep, anxiety, and much more, while also illuminating general use habits among large pools of participants. We’ve also seen bioscience developers like Lexaria ambitiously pitting their proprietary CBD formulations against FDA-approved Epidiolex, a CBD-based drug used for seizures. Finally, we’re seeing CBD brands make actual consumer-facing changes in lieu of positive research results, like nanoemulsion or liposomal delivery systems, as modeled by Elixinol. Want to be a part of furthering the science behind CBD? See if you qualify for a CBD study here. 2022 and BeyondBased on our observations throughout 2021 as well as conversations with well-positioned advocates and brand representatives, here’s what we believe will happen (or not happen) within the CBD industry in 2022 and beyond: As per our illuminating conversation with the US Hemp Authority President Dr. Marielle Weintraub, we agree that states will continue to reconcile differences in hemp labeling laws and other regulations to allow for smoother interstate commerce as the FDA continues to make everyone wait on federal regulation. On that note, it’s highly unlikely that either side of the hemp consumer advocate/lobbyist coin (industry self-regulation and pressuring the FDA) will ease up in their pursuit for greater safety and transparency standards. Another important interview we held this year—a look under the National Hemp Association’s hood with executive director Erica Stark—revealed that the hemp fiber industry is probably going to advance with less of a rocky takeoff than we’re seeing with consumer products. “In 5-10 years we’re going to see industrial hemp become as traditional row crops like corn; we’ll see lots of processing centers pop up, paper products, and bioplastics,” Erica told us. Finally, though high-THC products and the greater focus on gummies isn’t likely to go away anytime soon, we are curious as to whether or not the new delivery methods (like nanoemulsion and liposomal) and synergistic products prove to be trend-proof. From the CBD Insider editorial team, we’d like to wish everyone a happy and safe holiday—we’ll see you next year! The post CBD in 2021: The 6 Top Trends appeared first on The CBD Insider. via The CBD Insider https://thecbdinsider.com/news/cbd-in-2021-a-year-in-review/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=cbd-in-2021-a-year-in-review If luxurious baubles and sensational scents, rather than snackable edibles, are the way to your significant other’s heart this holiday season, below is a list of exquisite gift ideas for the cannabis consumer in your life. If diamonds are a bit out of your budget this Christmas, delight the cannabis cutie on your naughty or nice list with these faux leather, vegan, and cruelty-free, forest green earrings. Polished off with gold plated brass studs, each pair are handcrafted by a female-owned-and-operated business, Camera line in Los Angeles. “As seasoned cannabis enthusiasts and artists, we are loud and proud of this magical plant,” says Camera line designer Caroline Murphy. There is no better way to support an artisan’s small business and proudly let your cannabis flag fly than by picking up a pair of these beauties to wear to the Emerald Cup. Jan Leslie’s hand-painted cannabis cufflinks retail for $450 and are made from 925 sterling silver with a hand-painted enamel overlay detail. The cufflinks are 0.7″W x 0.78″H. From Italian luxury perfumer Bois 1920’s cannabis collection comes Cannabis Fruttata. With top notes of origan, rosemary, and fig leaves; heart notes of Cannabis, Blueberry, and Lily of the Valley; and base notes of patchouli, ambergris, and Cedarwood, this delicious complex perfume is a journey unto itself. For those who prefer the more traditional, straightforward scent of Cannabis, this earthy, classic scent is a modern twist of the expression of cannabis flower. A slightly impudent perfume, surprisingly seductive and intriguing with a top note of cannabis, heart notes of cannabis and patchouli, base notes of light woods, and – you guessed it – even more cannabis! Both scents retail for $185 and are made in Italy. Cannador is a swank stash box that functions as a humidor to keep smaller amounts of cannabis separated and fresh. It includes glass cups that contain adjustable, ventilated lids and airtight lids. The box set includes four 0.25 ounce glass cups (or up to 1/2 oz ground), adjustable ventilated lids, airtight lids, lock, and key. It has a double-fitted rim and tight seal to prevent odor leakage, a nook to hold accouterments, and a hidden magnet closure. Cannador retains for $219 but is currently on sale at Bloomingdale’s. A traditional rolling pin with a cheeky pot leaf pattern makes a unique, funny gift for the baker in your life. Baking with an embossed rolling pin is fun! The rolling pins are an optimum size with a large engraving surface. They measure 15.8” (40 cm), including the handles. The embossing part is 7.5” (19 cm), and the diameter is 2.4” (6 cm). This laser engraved, hand-polished rolling pin is made of beech wood. It is sealed with a protective wood conditioner made from organic food-grade oil. Because this is a natural wood product, color variations might differ from what is depicted. There might also be visible wood rings on the engraved surface. Different sizes of this baking staple are available on Etsy from multiple sellers. Nannette de Gaspé’s Bain Noir Cannabis Sativa Bath Soak Treatment is a 16-ounce bath soak that relaxes, soothes, and hydrates the skin. With key ingredients of cannabis Sativa oil and meadowfoam seed oil, this luxurious, cruelty-free bath soak is free of parabens. This gooey, jet-black product is strangely evocative of S&M play anal beads and retails for $275.00. Cannabis Santal by fresh is a sensual woodsy fragrance that “captures the raw energy of desire,” according to fresh. Retailing for $90, with top notes of bergamot, Brazilian orange, black plum, middle notes of patchouli, cannabis accord, rose and bottom notes of chocolate, vetiver, vanilla musk, this cloying scent will not be easily forgotten. Rumor has it that Bruce Willis orders this scent by the case. Lev Glazman, fresh’s co-founder, likens the smell of Cannabis Santal to the feeling of hating to tear yourself away from your sleeping lover. Even the most bougie, discerning person on your list will love one of these cheeky cannabis-inspired products. Via https://cannatechtoday.com/high-end-holiday-gifts-for-the-cannabis-lover-in-your-life/ |
ABOUT MEHallo, ik ben Renz Verspaget, ik ben een betrouwbare administratief medewerker in de gezondheidszorg met 4,5 jaar ervaring met patiëntendossiers, medische facturering, werkschema's van ziekenhuizen en gezondheidszorgbeleid. Ziekenhuiskosten met 13% verlaagd door nieuwe factureringsmethoden te implementeren. Archives
April 2023
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