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Should health insurance programs reimburse patients for their use of medical cannabis products? In a growing number of states, the courts are saying “yes.” In the most recent example, a Pennsylvania Appellate Court ruled that workers’ compensation plans must cover cannabis-related expenditures when an employee uses it to recover from a workplace-related injury. The court ruled that employees in Pennsylvania possess “a statutory right” to be reimbursed for medical marijuana expenses that are reasonable and necessary to treat a work injury. “The MMA (Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Act) specifically mandates that no medical marijuana patients be denied any rights for…
Republican Gov. Glen Youngkin’s recent attempt to recriminalize activities involving the possession of two ounces of marijuana by adults via the enactment of an amendment to SB 591 has been defeated for the session. That effort failed on Wednesday with lawmakers’ refusal to advance the bill it was added to, SB 591. Legislators voted to re-refer SB 591 to the Senate Rehabilitation and Social Services committee. With the 2022 legislative session having already ended, this vote effectively ends any further discussion on the legislation this year. JM Pedini, NORML’s Development Director and the Executive Director of Virginia NORML, said, “The…
State-licensed adult-use marijuana retailers are in strict compliance with laws requiring would-be patrons to show identification and proof of legal age, according to data published in the journal Addictive Behaviors. A team of investigators affiliated with George Washington University’s Milken Institute of Public Health conducted point-of-sale audits of 150 randomly selected adult-use retailers in five cities (Denver, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Portland, and Seattle). Consistent with other studies, “age verification rates were high (>90 percent),” authors concluded. Retailers in every city but Portland were determined to be in nearly 100 percent compliance with the law. Commenting on the study’s results,…
In a recent study, researchers have gained critical insight into the mechanism behind cannabinoids, with a particular focus on the non-psychoactive cannabinoid CBD and how it works to reduce inflammation, New Atlas reports. Inflammation is responsible for everything from skin breakouts (hence CBD’s presence in beauty products) to medical conditions such as asthma, autoimmune disease, and even cardiovascular problems. As a refresher, cannabinoids are a class of chemical compounds found in the cannabis plant (phytocannabinoids) and naturally produced in the human body (endocannabinoids). These compounds interact with the endocannabinoid system, a complex network of receptors and neurotransmitters that plays a…
In this week’s cannabis news round-up, Japan’s lower house passes a bill for cannabis-derived medicines; Wisconsin bill seeks cannabis decriminalization; Green Wednesday 2023 data shows a downward trend; and Stündenglass introduces a game-changing heating device. PHOTO baona Japan’s Lower House Passes Bill for Cannabis-Derived Medicines Japan’s Lower House has greenlit a bill to legalize medical products derived from cannabis; however, it maintains a strict ban on other forms of the plant. The bill, which involves amendments to existing laws, now heads to the Upper House for potential approval, with changes likely to take effect by next year’s end. The bill paves the…
As we navigate these darker months during the winter season, conversations of seasonal affective disorder and tackling the depressive feelings that can come with less daylight are pervasive. Though, exposure to daylight may have an even more profound impact when it comes to mental health. A new analysis of more than 85,000 people via UK Biobank data found that individuals who spend more time in daylight carry a lower risk of major depressive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), psychosis and self-harm behavior. The study, published in the journal Nature Mental Health, also independently found that greater light exposure during nighttime…
Members of the Texas House of Representatives advanced legislation today seeking to expand the pool of patients eligible to obtain state-licensed cannabis products. Lawmakers voted by a nearly five to one margin in favor of the legislation, House Bill 1805. Specifically, it amends the Texas Compassionate Use Program so that physicians may recommend certain products containing fixed levels of THC to patients with “a condition that causes chronic pain, for which a physician would otherwise prescribe an opioid.” It also empowers state health officials, rather than lawmakers, to add additional qualifying conditions. Currently, patients with autism, ALS, cancer, incurable neurological…
In this week’s cannabis news round-up, Missouri expunges over 100,000 cannabis convictions following legalization; Ohio’s legalization limbo; and UK study reveals cannabis products may offer benefits for patients with ADHD. PHOTO Johnmaxmena Missouri Expunges Over 100,000 Cannabis Convictions Following Legalization State officials in Missouri have expunged records for over 100,000 cannabis-related cases over the past year. The milestone results from provisions included in Missouri’s voter-approved adult-use legalization law, which officially took effect on December 8, 2022. This law set a one-year timeline for the expungement of convictions related to cannabis. Dan Viets, a NORML Board Member and co-author of the…
In this week’s cannabis news round-up, President Biden expands cannabis pardons and clemency in federal cases; Rhode Island hits $100 million in the first year of the adult-use market; study shows states with cannabis prohibition may boost the use of unregulated cannabinoids; and Ukraine passes medical cannabis legalization bill. PHOTO Matt Rourke President Biden Grants Pardons and Clemency in Federal Cannabis Cases Building on his October 2022 pardons for “all prior federal offenses of simple marijuana possession,” President Joe Biden has announced a series of pardons and clemency grants aimed at specific federal cannabis convictions, as well as 11 individuals…
Learn the best ways to consume cannabis and how to choose the right one for you. Jump to a sectionHumans have been experimenting with different methods of smoking weed for generations. The first-known bong found by scientists dates back 2,400 years ago, when tribal chiefs used golden “vessels” to smoke substances like cannabis and opium. Since then, more methods of smoking weed have become mainstream, leaving the modern cannabis smoker with a long list of options to choose from.To help you get started on your smoking journey, Leafly created this list of the best ways to smoke weed and the pros…