Tag

Cannabis

All articles tagged with #cannabis

Full-plant cannabis extract improves glucose tolerance in mice, unlike THC alone
science6 days ago

Full-plant cannabis extract improves glucose tolerance in mice, unlike THC alone

In a mouse study, obese mice on a high-fat, high-sugar diet treated with THC lost weight and body fat, but only those given a full-plant cannabis extract showed improved glucose tolerance; THC alone did not yield this metabolic benefit, suggesting other cannabis compounds drive the positive effects. The work, published in The Journal of Physiology, cautions against drawing human conclusions and highlights the need for further research into non-THC cannabinoids like CBG and other plant compounds.

Spanberger veto stalls Virginia's planned 2027 cannabis market
politics6 days ago

Spanberger veto stalls Virginia's planned 2027 cannabis market

Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger vetoed the Democratic-backed bill to create a regulated recreational cannabis market, delaying any legal sales to 2027 and prompting criticism from lawmakers who say the veto keeps Virginia’s cannabis economy in limbo and preserves an illegal market; Spanberger’s substitute would have started later and imposed stricter penalties, while supporters argue legalization could generate hundreds of millions in tax revenue over five years. The legislature will need to try again in 2027.

Cannabis and Tobacco Co-Use Linked to Near-Threefold Psychosis Risk in At-Risk Youth
health8 days ago

Cannabis and Tobacco Co-Use Linked to Near-Threefold Psychosis Risk in At-Risk Youth

A multisite study of over 1,000 individuals at clinical high risk for psychosis finds that using cannabis and tobacco together markedly raises long-term risk of developing a full psychotic disorder—about 2.9 times higher than non-users—compared with single-substance use. The effect is partly biological, as smoking tobacco increases cannabis THC absorption, potentially accelerating brain changes. Short-term symptoms rise with either substance, but the major difference appears over time in conversion risk, especially for heavy cannabis use paired with light tobacco use. Stopping both substances could reduce risk, highlighting the need to address co-use in at-risk populations. For those with established psychosis, ongoing tobacco use is linked to a roughly 20-year decrease in life expectancy due to cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.

Non-THC Cannabis Compounds Drive Metabolic Benefits, Study Finds
science8 days ago

Non-THC Cannabis Compounds Drive Metabolic Benefits, Study Finds

A mouse study shows that while pure THC can promote weight loss, it does not improve glucose control; a whole-plant cannabis extract containing THC and other cannabinoids did improve glucose tolerance and metabolic markers, indicating non-THC compounds drive metabolic benefits and could inform safer, non‑psychoactive diabetes therapies. Researchers caution against using cannabis for weight loss until more is known and plan to identify the active compounds.

Cannabis Edibles and Alcohol May Compound Driving Impairment, Study Finds
public-health11 days ago

Cannabis Edibles and Alcohol May Compound Driving Impairment, Study Finds

A Johns Hopkins Medicine study shows that consuming cannabis edibles with alcohol produces greater and longer-lasting driving impairment than either substance alone, and standard field sobriety tests often miss cannabis-related impairment, underscoring the need for better public awareness and detection tools as well as reexamination of the 0.08% alcohol limit when cannabis is involved.

Seniors Seek 'Goldilocks' Cannabis for Pain, Sleep, and Mood
health16 days ago

Seniors Seek 'Goldilocks' Cannabis for Pain, Sleep, and Mood

A Colorado study of 169 adults aged 60+ found that older first-time cannabis users mainly seek relief from pain, sleep problems, and mental health concerns to improve quality of life, not to get high. They often rely on word-of-mouth rather than healthcare providers, and many favor CBD–THC combination edibles—the so-called 'Goldilocks option'—as a balanced approach. The findings point to a need for better patient–provider information and clinical tools to guide safe, effective use, especially as legal and regulatory contexts vary by state.

White House: Rescheduling Marijuana Doesn't Make It Legal Nationwide
politics18 days ago

White House: Rescheduling Marijuana Doesn't Make It Legal Nationwide

The White House drug czar clarifies that moving marijuana to Schedule III under federal law does not legalize cannabis nationwide; the administration argues Schedule III covers medical use and research, not broad legalization. The new National Drug Control Strategy also flags the dangers of high-potency marijuana and illicit grows, and federal plans to recriminalize hemp THC products are expected later this year. In short, state cannabis reforms remain at odds with federal law.

Raid on Virginia Senate Leader Sparks Debate Over Power, Redistricting, and Cannabis
politics18 days ago

Raid on Virginia Senate Leader Sparks Debate Over Power, Redistricting, and Cannabis

An FBI raid on Virginia state Sen. Louise Lucas’s Portsmouth office and its cannabis-linked business drew national attention because Lucas wields outsized influence over the state budget and redistricting, raising questions about whether the probe is politically motivated and how it intersects with Virginia’s evolving cannabis laws and recent federal prosecutorial turnover.

FBI raids Virginia Senate leader Louise Lucas amid wide-ranging probe
politics20 days ago

FBI raids Virginia Senate leader Louise Lucas amid wide-ranging probe

Federal agents executed a court-authorized raid of Sen. Louise Lucas’s Portsmouth legislative office and searched a nearby cannabis-related business, part of a broader operation affecting multiple Virginia sites. The FBI has not disclosed charges or arrests, and Lucas or other officials have not commented on the specifics, urging caution and transparency as details remain scarce. It is not yet clear whether the investigation concerns Lucas’s legislative activities, her cannabis business, or another matter entirely. Lucas is a longtime Virginia power broker and chair of the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee, with recent involvement in redistricting debates and budget negotiations.

UK couple risk a 30-year prison term in Turkey over cannabis allegations
world21 days ago

UK couple risk a 30-year prison term in Turkey over cannabis allegations

A British couple, Holly Cooper and Taylor Johnson (both 20), were arrested at Istanbul Airport after cannabis was found in their luggage en route to London from Thailand. If convicted of drug trafficking, they could face up to 30 years in a Turkish prison. Their families have started a fundraising campaign for their defense and they remain in custody as the case proceeds, which could take up to a year; Turkey is known for severe penalties in drug trafficking cases.

Cannabis Leaves Harbor Rare Compounds with Medical Potential
science25 days ago

Cannabis Leaves Harbor Rare Compounds with Medical Potential

Researchers at Stellenbosch University analyzed three cannabis strains and found 79 phenolic compounds, 25 of which were new to Cannabis, including 16 tentatively classified as flavoalkaloids—the first evidence of this rare group in Cannabis leaves. Using two-dimensional liquid chromatography and high-resolution mass spectrometry, they observed that these flavoalkaloids are concentrated mainly in leaves of one strain, underscoring substantial chemical variation and suggesting that cannabis leafy material—often discarded—may have unexplored medical potential beyond cannabinoids.

Partial cannabis rescheduling fuels federal policy confusion
politics26 days ago

Partial cannabis rescheduling fuels federal policy confusion

The Trump administration moved state-licensed medical cannabis products and FDA-approved cannabis products from Schedule I to Schedule III, a partial rescheduling that doesn’t fully normalize cannabis at the federal level. Experts say this is not a broad reclassification and hinges on future FDA decisions, leaving implementation unclear and raising questions about protections for patients, housing and employment, and equity for minority entrepreneurs. A June 29 DEA hearing on rescheduling adds to the uncertainty amid ongoing debate about alignment with the UN Single Convention and overall public support for full legalization.