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Study finds dramatic increases in vaping marijuana, nicotine among young adults
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — The number of young adults in the U.S. who are vaping marijuana and nicotine has more than doubled in two years, according to a national study by researchers at the University of Michigan.
Key cannabis chemical may help prevent colon cancer, researchers say
COLUMBIA, S.C. — A chemical in marijuana may be able to help prevent colon cancer, according to a new study from top University of South Carolina researchers.
Final clinical registrant for medical marijuana research program approved
The Pennsylvania Department of Health this week approved the eighth clinical registrant, Goodblend Pennsylvania, LLC, who will be part of the state’s first-in-the-nation research program for medical marijuana.
Court tosses county ban on probationers using medical pot
Counties may not ban people on probation or parole from using prescription cannabis if they are registered in Pennsylvania’s medical marijuana program, the state Supreme Court ruled Thursday.
State’s medical marijuana users prefer to inhale drug
Medical marijuana users in Pennsylvania overwhelmingly prefer to inhale the product, according to a survey conducted by the state Medical Marijuana Advisory Board. Those surveyed were asked to rank the form of medical marijuana they preferred from one to seven, with one being the most preferred. More than 70 percent of the respondents selected either dry leaf or vaporization cartridges/pods. Dry leaf was the preferred choice of more than 50 percent of the respondents. The…
Cause of medical marijuana shortage? Simple supply and demand, says dispensary exec.
Medical marijuana patients may have noticed an increased difficulty in finding a particular product: traditional marijuana buds. The leaf form of marijuana — often called “flower” so as to differentiate it from vapes, tinctures and other forms in which medical marijuana can be purchased — has been difficult to come by for the better part of six months. At least that’s what George DeNardo, vice president of Mid-Atlantic operations for Columbia Care, says. The medical…
State Supreme Court case on whether those probation can use medical pot moves forward
Wednesday was a big day for medical marijuana proponents in Pennsylvania. Briefs were due Wednesday in the state Supreme Court coast that will decide if people on probation will be allowed to use medical marijuana. While the case deals with a Lebanon County case, a ruling would set a precedent for other counties to follow. The court will hear a challenge brought by the ACLU on behalf of three people against the 52nd Judicial District…
NJ company must pay for employee’s medical marijuana, appeals court rules
In a ruling that could have far-reaching effects, an appeals court in New Jersey ruled this week that a contractor must reimburse a former employee for the cost of the medical marijuana that he uses to treat his incessant pain from a work-related injury. “This is huge. And the significance of this court decision cannot be overstated,” said Steve Schain, a lawyer with the Hoban Law Group, which specializes in cannabis law. “It sets a…
Study links marijuana use in pregnancy to infant health risks
MINNEAPOLIS — Researchers in Minnesota and Iowa have found greater risks of social and emotional problems in infants whose mothers consumed marijuana during pregnancy. Using results of a developmental screening tool for 1-year-olds, the researchers found that 9.1% of babies from marijuana users were at risk, compared with 3.6% of babies whose mothers didn’t consume the drug while pregnant. Researchers said the size of that gap was surprising, along with screening results showing that 8%…
Report: Those seeking medical marijuana cards often already heavy users
A study published last month offers some insight into just who is seeking enrollment in medical marijuana programs, but one of its findings should come has no surprise. According to a report in Science News, young adults who seek to enter medical marijuana programs are often those who are already heavy users rather than those with mental or physical issues that the drug could aid. That is according to results published by the Journal of…
Cannabis-related psychosis, addiction, ER visits: For young users, marijuana can be a dangerous game
Not long ago when Joseph Garbely, chief medical officer for the Caron Foundation, reviewed younger patients starting drug or alcohol treatment on his unit, he usually saw people shaking, sick and seizing from alcohol or opioid withdrawal. Marijuana was seldom what put them in those medical beds. That has changed. “A few years ago, it was rare to see a young person enter Caron with marijuana-induced psychosis,” said Garbely. “Now we see it on a…
Studies link legal marijuana with fewer opioid prescriptions
NEW YORK (AP) — Can legalizing marijuana fight the problem of opioid addiction and fatal overdoses? Two new studies in the debate suggest it may. Pot can relieve chronic pain in adults, so advocates for liberalizing marijuana laws have proposed it as a lower-risk alternative to opioids. But some research suggests marijuana may encourage opioid use, and so might make the epidemic worse. The new studies don’t directly assess the effect of legalizing marijuana on…
Some fans of Trump and pot feel allegiances go up in smoke
PORTLAND, Maine — The Trump administration’s anti-marijuana move has some members of the president’s voting base fuming. Fans of President Donald Trump who use marijuana say Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ move to tighten federal oversight of the drug is the first time they’ve felt let down by the man they helped elect. The move feels especially punitive to Trump voters who work in the growing industry around legalized marijuana that has taken root in states…
Pot for pets: Veterinarians seek permission to research pot meds for pets
BEND, Ore. — Dr. Byron Maas surveys a supply of marijuana products for dogs that lines a shelf in his veterinary clinic. They’re selling well. “The ‘Up and Moving’ is for joints and for pain,” he explains. “The ‘Calm and Quiet’ is for real anxious dogs, to take away that anxiety.” People anxious to relieve suffering in their pets are increasingly turning to oils and powders that contain CBDs, a non-psychoactive component of marijuana. But…
Over 3,800 sign up for medical marijuana in Pennsylvania in first week
HARRISBURG (AP) — More than 3,800 patients have registered for Pennsylvania’s medical marijuana program in its first week. Gov. Tom Wolf says more than 200 caregivers also have registered for the program. He says the demand shows the “need for this vital medication.” A 2016 state law gives people under a doctor’s care access to medical marijuana if they suffer from an illness on a list of 17 qualifying conditions. The law permits pills, oils,…
Over 1,000 sign up for Pennsylvania medical pot program on first day
HARRISBURG (AP) — The Pennsylvania Department of Health says more than 1,000 people signed up for the state’s new medical marijuana program on its first day last week. A health department spokesman tells the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review that the registrations include patients and caregivers. The department announced Wednesday it was accepting applications to participate in the system. A 2016 state law gives people under a doctor’s care access to medical marijuana if they suffer from an…
Men seeking medical marijuana bombard gynecologist’s office in Pennsylvania
ALTOONA, Pa. (AP) — A Pennsylvania gynecologist says she has been inundated with calls from men trying to set up appointments after hearing she was permitted to approve patients to seek medical marijuana from the state. Dr. Liang Bartkowiak told the Altoona Mirror she was mentioned in the media as being eligible to certify medical marijuana users, and then her office phone started ringing off the hook. It was primarily men on the line. Bartkowiak…
State starts signing up medical-pot patients; drug should be available by May 1
HARRISBURG — Pennsylvanians moved a giant step closer Wednesday to being able to get marijuana to help treat medical conditions, as the state announced the launch of its patient and caregiver registry. The Health Department said a pilot program was successful, leading the agency to start taking applications from people to participate in the system through a new dedicated website. Patients are expected to be able to obtain the medication by May 1, the current…
Company eyes Scranton office for people looking to enter marijuana program
Once Pennsylvania approves doctors to see patients seeking medical marijuana, Compassionate Certification Centers will be ready to open up franchise-like offices, including one in Scranton, to get people into the state program. Dr. Bryan Doner, co-founder of the company, said he anticipates having between 20 and 25 locations statewide within the next year and a half. “It’s very similar to an urgent care center. They function similar to any outpatient healthcare clinic,” said Doner Friday.…
Medical marijuana: Doctors the next step in Pennsylvania’s program
HARRISBURG — Physicians can begin their involvement in the Pennsylvania medical marijuana program, according to the state’s Department of Health. The first step is to register, according to a press release from the agency. “Since April 2016, we’ve been working to implement a patient-focused Medical Marijuana Program for Pennsylvanians in desperate need of medication,” Dr. Rachel Levine, the state’s acting Secretary of Health and Physician General, said in the release. “Many physicians treat these patients…