While the decriminalization of cannabis in the U.S. began in 1973, it wasn’t until 1996 that the march toward legalization began. Here are the key milestones for U.S. marijuana legalization.

Most important laws passed

There has been quite a lot of activity in recent years to promote the legal use of marijuana for either medical or recreational purposes. Five of these laws especially stand out because of their significant impact.

1. California’s Proposition 215 (1996). With this ballot initiative, California became the first state to legalize medical marijuana. California was the first domino to fall and gave organizers outside the state the confidence to push for the legalization of medical marijuana in their states.
2. Colorado’s Amendment 64 (2012). Colorado became one of the first two states to legalize recreational marijuana through a ballot initiative. The state also set the standard for others in how to regulate recreational marijuana.
3. Washington’s Initiative 502 (2012). Washington state residents voted to legalize recreational marijuana at the same time Colorado did.
4. California’s Proposition 64 (2016). California’s passage of a ballot initiative to legalize recreational marijuana is important because of the state’s size. The legal marijuana market in California was more than $3 billion in 2019, nearly twice the size of Colorado’s total marijuana market.
5. Vermont’s H. 511 (2018). Tiny Vermont deserves distinction as the first state to legalize recreational marijuana by way of the state legislature rather than through a ballot initiative. However, there was a twist with Vermont’s law. While the use of recreational marijuana up to an ounce is allowed, the sale of recreational marijuana is still illegal, for now.

Significant proponents and opponents

As you might expect, the legalization of marijuana has attracted both vocal supporters and opponents. Several groups have formed on both sides of the question. Here are some of the most influential of these groups.

Proponents

National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws. Founded in 1970, NORML is probably the most influential marijuana advocacy group. The organization championed early marijuana decriminalization efforts and remains active in working to legalize both medical and recreational marijuana across the nation. NORML’s advisory board includes quite a few celebrities, including comedian Bill Maher, actor Woody Harrelson, actor Tommy Chong, and singer Willie Nelson.

Marijuana Policy Project. Founded in 1995, MPP lobbies the U.S. Congress and state legislatures with a special focus on decriminalizing marijuana and changing laws to make medical marijuana available to patients. The organization was active publicly and behind the scenes on many of the marijuana legalization milestones mentioned earlier.

Drug Policy Alliance. DPA’s roots date to 1987, when American University professor Arnold Trebach and attorney Kevin Zeese, who had previously worked with NORML, founded the Drug Policy Foundation (DPF). In 2000, DPF merged with The Lindesmith Center, another organization focused on changing U.S. drug policy and adopted its current name. The organization has been front and center in several victories, including the legalization of recreational marijuana in California and Colorado.

Opponents

Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM). On the other side of the fence are several prominent organizations opposing marijuana legalization. Former Obama administration drug policy advisor Kevin Sabet and former Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-R.I.) started SAM, one of the top antimarijuana groups, in 2013. SAM’s primary focus is to prevent a “big marijuana” equivalent to the “big tobacco” group of large tobacco makers that exert significant influence nationally.

Drug Free America Foundation. Former U.S. ambassador to Italy Mel Sembler and his wife, Betty, started DFAF in 1976. DFAF promotes national and state policies to reduce drug use and addiction.

Others. Some companies have also fought against marijuana legalization. Insys Therapeutics (NASDAQ:INSY) donated $500,000 in 2016 to help defeat a ballot initiative to legalize recreational marijuana in Arizona. Not so coincidentally, Insys markets a cannabinoid drug, Syndros, which launched in 2017 for treating anorexia in people with AIDS and for treating chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.

Barriers to legalization

Despite the number of states that have legalized marijuana, the drug remains illegal at the federal level. Marijuana is a controlled substance under federal law, and the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that the federal government can prosecute violations of applicable federal laws even in states that have legalized marijuana.

Nevertheless, 33 states have elected to legalize marijuana despite federal laws to the contrary. Why haven’t the other states moved forward with legalization? The biggest reason is probably concern about the potential for abuse of marijuana and the societal problems to which this abuse might contribute.

It didn’t help that a 2017 report from the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine stated that “conclusive evidence regarding the short- and long-term health effects — both harms and benefits — of cannabis use remains elusive.” Marijuana opponents use this report to question the wisdom of legalizing a product for which uncertainties regarding safety exist.

These concerns are a major factor holding back states from legalizing recreational marijuana. Many Americans continue to oppose any use of narcotic drugs for recreational purposes. Even among those who do support legalization of marijuana, it’s often not a top priority. These factors make it easy for some politicians to oppose legalization or simply ignore the topic.

Ironically, the legalization of hemp in the U.S. in December 2018 also presents a hurdle for similar legalization of marijuana. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R.-Ky.) championed the legalization of hemp because of the thriving hemp industry in his home state of Kentucky. The legalization of marijuana would pave the way for more competition for hemp businesses in Kentucky. It’s unlikely, therefore, that Sen. McConnell will support any attempt to vote on marijuana legalization in the U.S. Senate. Since the Senate majority leader decides which measures come before the full Senate for a vote, Sen. McConnell can effectively single-handedly prevent marijuana legalization in the U.S.

The future of U.S. marijuana legalization

It seems likely that more states will legalize marijuana. Several states could vote on legalizing either medical or recreational marijuana in 2020. It’s also possible that some of the states that have highly restrictive medical marijuana laws could relax those laws to allow broader access.

One big factor driving this trend is that states need additional revenue. Just as most states legalized lotteries to generate revenue, many states could consider legalizing marijuana as a way to boost their revenue without making unpopular moves such as raising income or sales taxes.

Could U.S. federal laws be changed to ease restrictions against the use and sale of marijuana? It’s not out of the question. Public support among Americans for legalizing marijuana is at an all-time high, and Americans support the rights of states to make and enforce their own marijuana laws.

However, a majority of older U.S. citizens, who traditionally vote in high numbers, still oppose legalization. Most Americans indicate that they would vote for a candidate with whom they disagreed on marijuana policy. Senators and representatives who want to play it safe could remain opposed to federal legalization of marijuana.

Implications for investors

Marijuana is already a large industry, with U.S. sales in 2019 estimated to be more than $12 billion. By 2022, U.S. marijuana sales could top $22 billion. Marijuana investors won’t find too many industries that could nearly double in three years.

A big challenge, though, is that there are few really good marijuana investing alternatives among U.S. stocks. Most of the ones available are relatively small and trade over the counter rather than on major stock exchanges. They also tend to sport astronomical valuations.

There are exceptions, though. Innovative Industrial Properties (NYSE:IIPR) provides real estate capital to medical cannabis operators, buying properties and leasing them to customers. Scotts Miracle-Gro (NYSE:SMG) is the go-to supplier of hydroponics products for marijuana growers. Both companies are profitable. Their valuations aren’t outrageous. And both companies even pay dividends.

The fortunes of both Innovative Industrial Properties and Scotts Miracle-Gro, as well as other U.S. marijuana stocks, will be greatly affected by what happens with marijuana legalization in the United States. If more states legalize marijuana and/or the federal government relaxes its cannabis laws, these stocks could soar. But as long as the threat exists that the feds could crack down on the marijuana industry, buying these stocks will come with an added level of risk. Marijuana investors should proceed cautiously.

Epilepsy Patients Officially have Access to Cannabis Medication

byEMILY LEDGER0000

As of Monday 6th January 2020, Epilepsy patients in the UK have official access to Cannabis medication, Epidyolex. The development follows the publication of the NICE recommendations on the use of Cannabis-based medical products (CBMPs).

The National Institute of Health and Care Excellence recommended the use of the CBD medication for use, in conjunction with Clobazam, to treat two rare forms of Epilepsy. Lennox Gastaut and Dravet syndromes are specific forms of Epilepsy, often developed in children, but also in adults.

Following the recommendations, manufacturer GW Pharmaceuticals came to an agreement with the NHS to provide the drug at a discounted price. The Cannabis medication, Epidyolex, was fast-tracked for use in December.

GW Pharmaceuticals Chief Operating Officer, Chris Tovey, said:

“This is proof that cannabis-based medicines can successfully go through extensive randomised placebo-controlled trials and a rigorous NICE evaluation process to reach patients.”

Epidyolex has been found to significantly reduce the number of seizures experienced by patients of these forms of Epilepsy. In fact, clinical trials have shown a reduction of up to 40% in some children treated with the drug. It is believed that around 2,000 people in the UK could benefit from the medication.

The drug will be available for all Lennox Gastaut and Dravet syndrome patients above the age of two.

Medical Cannabis was effectively legalised in the UK in November 2018, with the rescheduling of the drug. However, the policy change gained widespread criticism across the country. At the end of 2019, it was estimated that only a handful of patients had received a medical Cannabis prescription. The majority of these prescriptions were provided through private clinics, at a cost to the patients.

Simon Stevens, NHS chief executive, said:

“Thousands of people including children will now have access to this treatment, which has the potential to make a real difference.”

In addition to Epilepsy, NICE also recommended also provided the use of Cannabis medication as a treatment for spasticity in Multiple Sclerosis; and nausea associated with chemotherapy.

Epidyolex joins Sativex and Nabilone as the only registered Cannabis medications in the UK. Both Epidyolex and Satives are manufactured by UK-based GW Pharmaceuticals.

Here, experts from Charlotte’s Web discuss everything you need to know about the effectiveness, safety and benefits of CBD oil

From celebrities to physicians, everyone’s interest is piqued on the latest trend to hit nearly every industry: cannabidiol or CBD oil. If you are scratching your head trying to understand why this product has such a fan following — you are not alone. Though it has been on the market for a while, many are only now adopting the trend, as it becomes more widely accepted across many states in the country.

While other parts of the hemp plant have widespread use in our society already (think hemp hearts in protein supplements or spun hemp for fabric), the extract of the hemp plant was legalised in the 2018 Farm Bill.

That’s why it’s likely no surprise that the benefits of CBD oil in our beauty products, health supplements and other household staples are advertised widely. And of course, there’s a catch: Lack of regulation makes it difficult to really know what you are trying.

Though experimentation and curiosity are healthy and fun, so is diligence. When implementing any new ingredient into your routine — whether you are digesting it or applying it to your body’s largest organ, your skin — it’s important to do your homework. After all, you are not only investing your time and money — this is your health, and it deserves the utmost research and attention.

Before you decide to try it out for yourself, make sure to study up on the best sources of CBD oil to ensure you are only using high-quality, trusted products. Lucky for you, we have already done the digging for you, to get you started. Here, everything you need to know about the effectiveness of this extract, the benefits of CBD, what to look for when shopping and more.

First up, how does CBD oil work?

Regardless if you are looking for a product that will make your hair less frizzy or a mascara that will fight against clumps, most people decide to test something new once they have a goal in mind. Or more to the point: when an issue rears its head. That’s where interest begins with the CBD oil benefits, anyway: someone you know tried it and loved it, so why not give it a go? Before you get ahead of yourself, understanding the CBD effects on our body — both internally and externally — will help guide all of your purchasing decisions. And more importantly, to know if it is right for you.

The benefits of CBD oil begin with chemical properties that work in cohesion within our bodies. Or in other words, anything you consume or apply topically can affect your chemical makeup.

Still not with us? No worries. Here is a quick lesson: hemp is part of the cannabis family. This means they contain a little something called ‘phytocannabinoids’ (ya follow?). If you think back to your science classes, you will recall that ‘phyto’ means plants, and ‘endo’ translates to ‘within’. When we begin using CBD products, hemp’s phytocannabinoids work alongside our endocannabinoid system. Everyone has this vital structure and it helps to support homeostasis, or a stable, internal equilibrium, and overall health.

The reason CBD benefits are the talk of the town these days is thanks to how quality hemp products make certain rhythms easier, or improve our day-to-day activities, conditions or issues.

What are the benefits of CBD oil?

Your uncle is able to concentrate easier at work. Your best friend is stunned by how much more manageable her stress levels have become. And your partner? Well, you have never witnessed him or her sleep more soundly. No matter what area of life and routine you struggle with the most, everyone is looking for a solution that will make everyday issues easier. There are many companies that tout a laundry list of CBD oil benefits — but it’s important to remember hemp is nothing new. What is shifting the conversation is the modern approach on how to implement this ingredient into our lifestyle, wellness and health goals. As more consumer interest is sparked, the more brands explore the opportunity.

Researchers continue to dive into this field of study, revealing encouraging findings regularly, and opening opportunities for development. Though there are plenty of exciting things we’re learning about CBD, hemp, and other plant compounds, there are a few core benefits.

The benefits of CBD oil: Helps support a sense of calm for focus*

Take a quick glance around you right now — what do you see? Even if you are at the office, you have a computer in front of you. A smartphone to your side. A colleague to your right. And not too far away? We bet there is a television, displaying the news of the day. While being part of a culture that is ever-connected has its perks, it can also cause us to feel scatterbrained. Just think of the seemingly never-ending stream of emails, social media likes and requests, and on-demand information… 24/7. And while work anxiety is definitely part of the equation, family, friends, relationships and personal responsibilities tend to pile on, too. This makes staying zeroed-in on your assignment of the day — or the hour — sometimes feel like an uphill battle.

Finding balance and focus is possible though. No matter how far behind you are on a deadline — or how much struggle you feel inside — it just takes a few shifts in your routine. To wrangle your attention span and supercharge your ability to concentrate, you must keep your brain active, much like you would your body at a workout class. Eating healthy by choosing nutritious vegetables, lean proteins and fruits helps, too. Adopting a wellness practice — like meditation or yoga — will also improve your mind’s endurance.

Last but not least, CBD oil and our CBD gummies for calm can also help to support focus and bring about a sense of calm. When your calendar is overbooked and your phone won’t stop alerting you to every digital update, a daily serving is a great addition to your supplement routine for healthy brain habits.

The benefits of CBD oil: It can support relief from everyday stresses

While it is often true when one door closes, a window appears — sometimes that window is rusted shut and you spend an hour trying to pry it open. Though a worry-free, totally-zen life is a hope for most people, stress creeps into everyone’s life, no matter how fulfilled you normally feel. From an unusually stressful period at the office to complications within your relationship or a bout of family troubles, you may feel overwhelmed. We have all had those moments in life where it feels as if everything is going wrong. And sure, it might be — but there is always a way forward.

When this is the case, practicing breathing techniques to pull out when you need them can be a game-changer. Forcing yourself to disconnect from social media and spend more time living in the right-here and the right-now will allow you to worry less about tomorrow and invest in today. For when you can’t seem to catch your breath, talking with your best friend, a family member you love or even a therapist can be beneficial, too.

Much like when you can’t seem to concentrate, exercise can alleviate your angst, too. Another way to feel more aligned when stress skyrockets is by implementing a CBD oil habit at nighttime. This can help support management of normal, everyday stresses that pop up during the day, naturally and effectively.

The benefits of CBD oil: Helps support recovery from exercise-induced inflammation.

Once you find a style of fitness that makes your heart race in a fulfilling way, it’s hard to stop. And why should you? Maintaining consistent exercise, no matter if you choose Pilates, running, boxing or something else entirely, is a vital part of your overall health and vitality. But with any type of movement that challenges your body, your muscles experience small tears in their tissues. As they heal, you build strength. This is a natural part of the process and is what causes that next-day soreness and post-sweat inflammation.

Sometimes when you overdo it, however, you could experience more pain, swelling or redness than you anticipated. Most people will support the healing process by choosing antioxidant-rich foods, taking ice baths, getting a massage, or another anti-inflammatory measure. Another route, according to many studies, is to use CBD oil or our CBD gummies for recovery as part of your exercise routine. When used regularly, it can help support recovery from exercise-induce inflammation. 

The benefits of CBD oil: To support healthy sleep cycles

We have all been there: it’s far past your bedtime and you still haven’t arrived for your date with the sandman. Your mind is racing, your heart is trying to keep up and you can’t seem to shake your anxieties. It’s a frustrating experience that many battle consistently — and one that can have a major impact on your health. The amount of quality sleep we reap every night makes a difference in our performance at work, our patience with ourselves and others, and our overall mood. Even so, few professionals prioritize sleep hygiene… and choose to watch *just one* more episode of their latest binge show.

However, turning off that screen and closing your eyes signals your mind to simmer down and prepare for slumber. Transforming your bedroom from an all-stop-shop that hosts dinners and conference calls to an oasis designed for rest will make your bed that much more alluring. Though you are likely more than old enough to dictate your own schedule, giving yourself a bedtime and wake-up time — and actually sticking to it — will help regulate a cycle. Certain supplements, like CBD oil, when taken before you crawl under the covers every night, will also give you a helping hand toward sleep, too. Check out our new CBD gummie for sleep blended with melatonin.

Is CBD oil safe?

With these impressive benefits and multi-use solutions, it is natural to be curious about CBD effects. For first-time users, the learning curve on how to get started and how to consume CBD oil is steep. Because you want to be mindful and considerate about any shift in your system, you should start small and simple. Those who have never used oils of any kind or have little experience with hemp may not know what to expect or how it will feel in their minds and bodies.

Generally speaking, CBD oil is safe — but here is when being a picky shopper pays off. A quick Google search will reveal a plethora of various options from a range of retailers, it is smarter to only buy from an online destination you trust.

The Federal Drug Administration (FDA) has clear guidelines for producing, labeling and selling CBD oil. Though manufacturers and retailers can still try to dupe consumers who don’t know exactly what to look for in a product. Many labels may claim to have a certain percentage of CBD or hemp, but upon further investigation, fall short of their promise. If you sample a faulty blend and see no difference in your stress levels or sleep, you are less likely to try again. That’s why research is necessary and important. 

Since every person is different with a varied amount of cannabinoid receptors, this means while some people may see results right away, it can take 30-60 days for others to notice a change. Charlotte’s Web recommendation is to give your body time to respond since the ECS (that’s our Endocannabinoid System) works on saturation. This makes time your friend — and if after a few weeks you’re ready to upgrade, you can test out another strength of CBD oil.

The bottom line is CBD oil benefits are plenty — but choosing top-tier products is key. No matter if you are a newbie or you are a long-time fan and advocate for hemp and CBD, a little research can go a long way in ensuring your get the most out of your experience. We all hope to make daily life easier, happier and healthier — and with the right tools and trusted products, you’re halfway there.

Here, we learn more about the company’s (Elixinol) offering of cultivating top-quality strains of hemp, 100% organically grown and naturally processed to exceed industry standards

Elixinol has over 20 years of relationships with hemp farmers around the globe and was founded by a group of passionate leaders committed to becoming a leading worldwide manufacturer and distributor of cannabinoid products.

The benefits of cannabidiol (CBD) include the ability to promote a sense of wellbeing, soothe physical discomforts, according to Elixinol. On the scientific side, we find out that the endocannabinoid system is a biological system of receptors and neurotransmitters found throughout the brains and nervous systems of all mammals.

One product explored here is Elixinol Hemp Oil Tinctures, one of the purest CBD oils available in the UK, sourced from organic hemp and containing only natural ingredients. Another is CBD oil capsules, which absorb quickly into the body and are particularly effective for those with inflammation of the digestive system.

A further example introduced here is Elixinol CBD hemp balm, a topical CBD skin balm is soothing and can help rejuvenate your skin. We also discover Elixinol CBD lip balm, which is more than just a moisturising lip balm. This product helps cells regenerate — a great benefit to your lips — which may be exposed to the harsh effects of the sun, wind and dry air.

Also, we are told that training and education are extremely important given the nature of their products. I hope you enjoy reading the many insights that can be found here, from a company that is widely regarded as one of the most influential CBD brands globally.

Here’s the thing: Because cannabidiol (CBD) is not bound by any government regulations, beyond that of normal food supplement products, companies have a “free” license to claim whatever they want with these products. While there are some legitimate operations out there creating the best possible hemp-derived CBD oils, others are fly-by-night snake oil salesmen on Facebook cutting corners in the quest for the get rich quick scheme.

It seems everywhere we turn these days there is a big, flashing sign that reads “CBD Sold Here.” But instead of seeing these circus-style advertisements around legitimate pharmacies or health food stores dedicated to creating a healthier population, they are appearing in front of vape shops, convenience stores and even your local petrol station next to the vape displays.

CBD has caused a “green” rush within the UK, and it has collected an array of individuals who operate within a grey area, a large proportion of the original CBD sellers within the UK have come from the Peptide industry – which is also questionably legal. The UK has gone wild for this non-intoxicating hemp derivative. So much, in fact, they have failed to take into consideration that some of these products might be fake.

Not all CBD is the therapeutic heal-all you’ve been reading about for the past few years. Some of it is absolute rubbish, containing only trace amounts of the cannabinoid. Reports by the Centre for Medical Cannabis have found miss represented CBD oil sold in parts of the country (1).

So, yes, if you purchased CBD oil the last time you filled up your car with petrol whilst waiting for the vending machine to dispense a disappointing coffee you might of found yourself a victim.

However, this is an industry-wide problem, and not just one affecting the local marketplace. Research published November 2017 in the Journal of the American Medical Association (2) shows that around 40% of CBD products purchased online do not contain as much of the compound as printed on the labels.

About 26% included higher concentrations than they were supposed to, showing further inaccuracy. Some of these products even tested positive for enough THC (the stoner compound) to cause a person to fail a drug test. Reports of CBD users testing positive for marijuana have become more prevalent as of late because of these kinds of manufacturing discrepancies.

But it’s not like you haven’t been warned some CBD products might be a little shady, it’s somewhat careless to presume that a pop-up seller on Facebook or Instagram may be selling a legitimate product. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has spent nearly five years urging consumers to “beware purchasing and using any such products.” But apparently, all anyone wants to hear in their search for a miracle cure is the hype.

Nevertheless, in laboratory tests, the agency found many of these products do “not contain the levels of CBD they claimed to contain.” This means a lot of consumers who have bought into the CBD craze are out there getting scammed.

So, where should you make your next CBD purchase?

It would be wrong of me in this instance to say “well… from us” but the point remains that consumers should purchase directly from manufacturers and brand owners websites, and not affiliate agents or “third party” retailers online. It is imperative that consumers learn the basics of CBD if they do not want to be scammed or sold an inferior product as it could be hazardous to health and wellbeing.

Unfortunately, due to the young age of the CBD oil industry, there aren’t any regulations that control the manufacturing process. This means that different CBD brands may have different extraction methods in order to process CBD oil from hemp.

Some companies, especially those who sell their products at a ridiculously low price, may use cheap methods when extracting CBD oil. This requires toxic solvents that are dangerous to our health such as propane, hexane, pentane and butane. Two of these are commonly used in gas stoves and ranges, such as propane and butane, and all of them are hydrocarbon gases found in petroleum.

Like any manufactured product, one of the best ways to ensure quality is to use high-quality materials. This is especially important in CBD oil because of the hemp plant’s characteristic as a “hyperaccumulator.” This means that the hemp plant easily absorbs anything that is present in the ground that it was cultivated and farmed. If a hemp plant grew on rich soil, the resulting plant will be of high quality that can produce CBD oil in the same high-quality as well. Being a hyperaccumulator also has drawbacks: If a hemp plant that is used in production of CBD oil was cultivated in a land that is rich in heavy metals such as mercury and lead, the resulting oils will also reflect the amount of heavy metals absorbed by the plant, making it unsafe for humans to consume.

Sadly, some manufacturers would choose to purchase low-quality hemp to process as CBD oil, and such hemp may be polluted with heavy metals. These manufacturers only have profit in mind and don’t care about the possible consequence of their products. This is one reason why CBD oil risks getting a negative reputation.

Source:

(1) https://www.theextract.co.uk/regulations/centre-for-medicinal-cannabis-in-the-uk-release-new-cbd-report/

(2) https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2661569

Human beings have had an incredibly long-standing relationship with the Cannabis Sativa plant. In fact, ‘Sativa’ itself is even Latin for ‘sow’ or ‘cultivate’, proving the agricultural origins of the Cannabis plant. Some of the earliest evidence of medicinal Cannabis use has been found in China.

So, how did the ancient Chinese make use of the Cannabis plant?

Currently, the earliest archaeological evidence of the Cannabis plant lies in ancient Chinese pottery. Pots dating back to 10,000 BC reveal imprints from Hemp fibre. Hemp cloth originating from the Chou Dynasty (1122 – 249 BC) has also been discovered in China.

Hemp became an important resource in everyday life, and even in battle. The Ancient Chinese used the strong stalks of the Cannabis Sativa plant to make bows. Evidence of Ancient Chinese societies also survives through written documents, dating back to ancient times, and referring to even earlier periods.

The Earliest Reports of Medicinal Cannabis in China

The Legend of the Red Emperor

The earliest reports of medicinal Cannabis come from Ancient Chinese legends, the most interesting of which may be the ‘Red Emperor’. Emperor Shen-Nung, also known as the ‘Father of Chinese Medicine’ is said to have ruled around 2700 BCE. However, no one really knows whether Shen-Nung was the personification of multiple people (his reign is said to span over 140 years), or whether he really existed at all.

The Pen T’Sao (The Great Herbal)

In Chinese tradition, Emperor Shen-Nung of China is credited with being the first person to experiment with the medicinal potential of Cannabis. The legend says that he even compiled a book, referencing the plant among many other natural remedies in the ‘Pen T’sao’ (The Great Herbal).

Alas, the earliest known copy of the Pen T’sao only dates back to 50 AD – that’s almost 3,000 years after Emperor Shen-Nung is said to have ruled. That is not to say, however, that earlier versions of the Pen T’sao didn’t exist. In fact, they likely did, as much of Ancient Chinese Tradition was passed down, and rewritten over generations.

Whatever the actual time frame may be – and we may never know – The Great Herbal describes a number of medicinal uses of the Cannabis plant. Among these uses are menstrual pain, rheumatism, gout, malaria, and beriberi.

Hua T’o and Cannabis Anesthetic

In the second century AD, surgeon, Hua T’o began to utilise medicinal Cannabis as an anesthetic in China. The plant was mixed with wine and given to patients before surgeries. The Chinese word for anesthesia still reflects this – mázui – literally translates to ‘cannabis intoxication’.

During this period, the Chinese also used Cannabis as a treatment for blood clots, tape-worms, and constipation, among other ailments.

Other Ancient Chinese Cannabis Uses

Although there is little written evidence of recreational use in Ancient China, the Pen-t’sao ching stated that “[the fruits of Cannabis] if taken in excess will produce visions of devils … over a long term, it makes one communicate with spirits and lightens one’s body”. It is believed that in this context, recreational Cannabis use was associated with Shamanism.

During the Han Dynasty (206 BC – 220 AD), the practise of Shamanism began to decline, meaning there is little written evidence of Shaman religious practise.

Recreational Cannabis Use

However, a burial site recently excavated in western China provided the most concrete evidence of recreational Cannabis use in China. A 2,500-year-old brazier was discovered at the site, containing stones which were burnt to produce fumes. Compounds of the Cannabis plant were also found in the brazier, implying it was burned for recreational consumption.

Tests identified that the Cannabis contained unusually high levels of THC in relation to typical Cannabis plants of the time. This implies not only the intentional use of high-THC Cannabis but also intentional cultivation of it, in the area.

Despite China perhaps having the longest history with the Cannabis plant, its medicinal and recreational use did not become as prevalent as it did in India. This country will be the topic of our next insight into medicinal Cannabis in the ancient world.

UK luxury drinks start-up Top Beverages recently announced the release of their new ‘spice collection’, featuring three new CBD spirits. The spicy trio joins the company’s ‘classic collection’ and ‘signature collection’. To celebrate Top’s growing selection of uniquely flavoured spirits, we decided to sample their CBD Masala Vodka. 

Like all of Top Beverages‘ spirits, their Masala Vodka contains 50mg of pure CBD, and is 54.5% proof. However, unlike the original, their Masala Vodka combines an array of carefully chosen ingredients to produce an entirely unique flavour.

Top Beverages infuses their vodka with fresh Indian vanilla pods, green cardamom, cassia bark, cloves, nutmeg, and ginger root to create a spirit unlike any other on the market.

Packaging

Each of Top Beverages’ unique spirits is bottled in beautiful Italian glass, giving their products a feel of true luxury. The spirits are also categorised through their bottle designs. For example, gins are presented in a tear-drop shape, rum in a modern rectangular bottle, and vodka in a curved, diamond-embossed design.

Earlier this year. Saf Ali, Co-founder of Top Beverages, said:

“We embrace classic ideas of simplicity and minimalism and combine them with elegance and artistry.”

We feel that this is definitely reflected in the company’s branding. And so, armed with the knowledge of ingredients and awe of the bottle design, we decided to get on with the fun part – drinking.

Flavour

We began with a straight sample of the vodka in order to get a taste of the unique blend of ingredients. First of all, we were struck with the high strength of the spirit, which still managed to take us off guard for a second. However, the initial strength was followed by a smooth and satisfying undertone of sweet vanilla.

The other spices also soo began to creep into recognition. The remaining spices, particularly the cloves and nutmeg, provided a warm and familiar feeling as we sipped away. Although satisfying (and very strong), we wanted to see how this complex spirit would work with a mixer.

So, as Top Beverages recommends in their product listing, we tried our CBD Masala Vodka, topped up with cola.

The high strength of the vodka, though slightly subdued by our mixer, still packed a punch – however, not in an unpleasant way. What’s more, the warming spice flavours worked well with the sweetness of the cola. The spice flavours combined with the cola to create an enjoyable drink experience, which we would definitely try again.

Top Beverages

One thing to be stressed in regards to Top Beverages is their use of high-quality, pure CBD. This allows them to stand apart from other spirits distillers who use Cannabis derivatives – many of whom use hemp extract. Each of Top Beverages’ spirits is carefully dosed with 50mg of CBD.

Top Beverages’ CBD Masala Vodka is priced at £39.95 / 500ml bottle.

Pharmacists across the UK are demanding stricter regulation of CBD products, as the industry continues to grow. Products containing the Cannabis derivative are now widely available in retail outlets across the UK, including in many pharmacies.

Demand for the products has seen a sharp rise in the last year, as people learn more about the potential of the non-psychoactive cannabinoid. However, the ingredient is not yet widely regulated. As a result, the market has seen a rise in incorrectly labeled products, as the Centre for Medicinal Cannabis discovered in June.

62% of the CBD oils that the organisation tested for its industry review were found to be mislabelled. This meant that they contained outside a 10%+ margin of the advertised ingredient quantities. One of the oils even contained 0% CBD.

In order to create a trustworthy and reliable market, the National Pharmacy Association has called for clearer information and better checks on CBD products. This sentiment has also been shared by the Centre for Medicinal Cannabis. The organisation launched the Association for the Cannabinoid Industry earlier this year.

CBD is currently classed as a food supplement in the UK, meaning that its regulation is overseen by the Food Safety Agency (FSA). The product has also been declared a Novel Food by the European food standard authorities.

However, the ingredient continues to be increasingly added to a number of products from skincare to chocolate and drinks. CBD products are available at a large number of pharmacies and health shops around the country.

However, Jasmine Shah from the National Pharmacy Association, which represents hundreds of independent pharmacies, says:

“It’s for each pharmacist to decide whether its suitable to stock a CBD product or not. But in terms of the safety and efficacy of it more research is required.”

The Association for the Cannabinoid Industry aims to help CBD brands to achieve compliance and self-regulation to improve the industry. In a statement from the ACI, Strategic Counsel Steve Moore said: “the Association for the Cannabinoid Industry welcomes the call for improved CBD regulations from the National Pharmacy Association.”

The statement continues:

“We created the new Association for the Cannabinoid Industry (ACI) to help foster a legally compliant, socially responsible and innovative CBD industry. We urge CBD companies and stakeholders across the UK to sign up to the ACI Quality Charter. “

An ACI survey found that 48% of the public do not have confidence in the current UK CBD industry.

Insurance reimbursements for medical cannabis in Germany reached a new high during the July-September period, according to recently published data by the German National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Funds (GKV-Spitzenverband).However, the data also suggests that growth in medical marijuana sales is losing momentum as double-digit gains in MMJ reimbursements become harder to maintain.

Statutory health insurance reimbursements for medical marijuana reached 32.3 million euros ($36 million) in the third quarter of 2019, up 9% over the previous quarter, when 29.5 million euros worth of medical cannabis was reimbursed.

Insurance-covered cannabis in the third quarter of 2019 was roughly 62% higher than the same period in 2018.

A previous Marijuana Business Daily analysis for the second quarter of 2019 reported quarter-over-quarter and year-over-year growth of 20% and 74%, respectively.

The figures for the January-September period show that when the curtain closes on 2019, total reimbursements of all categories of medical cannabis products could easily surpass 100 million euros and likely will end up at roughly 120 million.

This data does not include private prescription sales, which are paid out of pocket by patients.

July was the top month for medical coverage for cannabis since the current regulatory framework was implemented in early 2017, with total reimbursements reaching almost 11.5 million euros.

In August and September, reimbursements stayed between 10 million and 11 million euros per month.

All reimbursement data is based on the retail price at pharmacies, which are the only authorized points of sale to patients in Germany.

For products not included in the “finished pharmaceutical preparations,” pharmacies mark up prices as much as 100%.

Product mix

Germany continues to be the largest importer of medical cannabis in the world, and domestic production is not expected to reach the shelves until the end of 2020 the earliest.

Through the end of September 2019, all flower and full-spectrum extracts reimbursed had been imported either from the Netherlands or Canada.

Flower – which includes “unprocessed flower” and “flower used in preparations” – accounts for more than half the total medical cannabis market.

Flower represented 52% of total cannabis reimbursements during the third quarter of 2019, down from 55% the previous quarter.

Sales of full-spectrum extracts grew but remained at only 3% of the reimbursed market, about the same as the previous quarter.

Sales of dronabinol preparations, a category represented mostly by C3 – a subsidiary of Canopy Growth – increased from the previous quarter and now stand at 29% of the market.

Finished pharmaceutical products, a category represented mostly by Sativex, also increased slightly from the previous quarter, reaching 16% of the market.

The latest

Imports from the Netherlands are produced only by Bedrocan at this time and exported by the Dutch Office of Medical Cannabis.

The only companies that exported from Canada to Germany in the reported quarter were Aurora Cannabis, Canopy Growth, Cronos Group, Tilray and Wayland Group.

Of these, Aurora and Canopy rely on their German subsidiaries to import and distribute their products, while the other Canadian companies rely on local German partners.

Aurora products became unavailable last month in Germany, as first reported by MJBizDaily.

The company recently acknowledged irradiating its products. Placing medicinal products on the market that underwent ionizing irradiation without a special permit is an infringement of the German Medicines Law.

Tilray completed its first export from Portugal in September, shipping 500 kilograms (1,102 pounds) of flower to Cologne-based Cannamedical.

But that flower – which is being sold under the Cannamedical label – did not reach pharmacy shelves until mid-December, David Henn, CEO of Cannamedical, confirmed to MJBizDaily.

TerrAscend is expected to be the next Canadian producer whose products will be sold in Germany, as it was the latest to achieve European Union-Good Manufacturing Practice certification.

TerrAscend CEO Michael Nashat told MJBizDaily the company is “shipping out soon.”

Australia is likely to become the fourth country to supply Germany.

The German market also underpins the business plans of medical cannabis companies in Denmark, Israel and Colombia, though it remains to be seen whether they will be successful.

Most of the reimbursements in Germany are of prescriptions used to treat pain.Alfredo Pascual can be reached at alfredop@mjbizdaily.com

In 2014, Uruguay became a Cannabis pioneer, as it became the first country in the world to legalise the recreational use of the plant. Since then, only one other country, Canada, has converted to full legalisation. However, the motion is increasingly being replicated in countries around the world, including New Zealand and Luxembourg.

But, what does the legal Cannabis market in Uruguay look like over five years after the initial legalisation?

Why Did Uruguay Legalise Cannabis?

Prior to the legalisation of Cannabis in Uruguay, consumption of the drug was never officially outlawed. Cultivation and supply of the plant, however, was forbidden – a contradiction that allowed the illegal Cannabis market to thrive. But in 2011, a single arrest appeared to spark an appetite for legislation reform across the country.

In July 2011, 66-year-old Author Alicia Castilla was greeted at her home by 14 armed police officers, and placed under custody for the cultivation of Cannabis. Castilla insisted that her plants were for personal use, not for supply. Facing two to 10 years in prison, Castilla began making headlines across Uruguay as citizens protested her incarceration.

Castilla soon became known as the ‘Reefer Grandmother’, and legislators even started to bring draft Cannabis legislation for her to review in prison.

The cultivation of Cannabis was finally legalised in 2014. In July 2015, Uruguay became the first country in the world to allow Cannabis sales across the whole territory.

Development of Uruguay’s Legal Cannabis Market?

Despite the country’s forward-thinking Cannabis policies, Uruguay’s Cannabis legislation has gained criticism. Some citizens who campaigned for Uruguay to legalise Cannabis, are disappointed with the current system employed, including Alicia Castilla.

Customer and Cultivator Registries

When the law went into full effect in July 2015, citizens who choose to grow their own plants were required to register for a permit from the government. This permit would allow the cultivation of six plants.

Customers who wish to buy Cannabis products must also be registered in a government database. When purchasing Cannabis, customers are required to scan a finger and thumb, which shows the retailer that they are permitted to purchase and that they haven’t exceeded their purchase limit.

Supply Limits

As legalisation took hold in 2015, the number of pharmacies registered to sell Cannabis products was extremely low. In 2017, the Vice President of Uruguay’s Association of Pharmacists, Alejandro Antalich, “only 30 of the country’s 1,000 pharmacies [had] signed up to sell marijuana”.

Cannabis strains are limited and capped by the government. All legally available Cannabis is not permitted to exceed a concentration of more than 9% THC. The medical Cannabis market in Uruguay is also limited, with only one domestic company, Medicplast, having registered medical products. The raw materials for Medicplast’s products are imported from Switzerland.

Only two companies in Uruguay have been registered to grow recreational Cannabis for the commercial market. These products are sold to pharmacies – the only place customers can purchase the products.

Further Developments

However, the number of registered pharmacies has begun to grow, alongside the number of Cannabis clubs, customers, and home growers. As of the end of June 2019, there were 36,487 registered recreational Cannabis customers in the country.

The government has also opened a new application process which they hope will increase the number of recreational commercial cultivators in the country.