Reposted with permission from Holistic Cannabis Academy faculty, Ezra Parzbok
A client recently came to me for a consult asking advice about her son with autism. He is a bright, cautious, and sometimes overly anxious 14 year old who like many, has had a negative and debilitating response to SSRIs (anti-anxiety and anti depression drugs.)
To date, many conventional medications had been tried on her son with little success. Since many adults successfully treat anxiety, depression, and mood disorders with an appropriate, and effective dose of marijuana, and as someone who (in her college days) had personally experienced the calming and focusing effects of cannabis, this mom thought that perhaps an alternative, natural drug for her son’s anxiety might be worth a try.
But, being a concerned and informed mom, she found the drug facts web page from the National Institute of Drug Abuse. Although she was open to having her son explore cannabis medicinally, she sheepishly brought me the literature and expressed how “alarming” the data was on the “harmful effects” of cannabis.
Without going in to too much detail, phrases like, “altered perceptions,” “impaired coordination,” “difficulty with thinking and problem solving,” “disrupted learning,” “lost cognitive abilities,” “psychosis,” and talk of lost IQ points for heavy users are naturally alarming to any parent. (Luckily, “life-threatening” is not on the list.)
In my research, or in explaining when and how to use marijuana, I have a basic rule; take the conventional medication used to treat the symptom and compare its harms and benefits side by side with the data on cannabis. Then, with your family and doctor, make an informed, objective decision about which is the better treatment.
There has been more research confirming the potential for marijuana to lead to psychosis in users, so firstly, I wanted to know the definition of substance-induced psychosis.
“Psychosis manifests as disorientation and visual hallucinations.[1] It is a state in which a person’s mental capacity to recognize reality, communicate, and relate to others is impaired, thus interfering with the capacity to deal with life demands.”
Psychosis is a scary word, but it’s definition is less scary. Many patients’ experience of their own anxiety, depression, and mood disorders could be defined in a similar way. As a marijuana advisor, I would also say that if you are experiencing the above symptoms using marijuana, alcohol, recreational drugs, or conventional medications such as Benzodiazepines, (Benzos) then you need to re-evaluate your dosage and usage.
The fact is, Benzos (despite being known to be addictive and potentially leading to psychosis) are widely accepted and used to treat mood disorders in adolescents. Why? Because it’s felt that the benefits far outweigh the negative side effects.
So the question is, do the benefits derived from treatment using medical marijuana not only outweigh any negative side effects but possibly match or surpass the efficacy of the Benzo currently being used?
This is info on Benzos from an adolescent drug addiction website:
“Doctors prescribe benzodiazepines to treat anxiety, panic attacks, seizure disorders, and insomnia… [They] can result in a variety of negative side effects, including amnesia, drowsiness, dizziness, blurred vision, slurred speech, irritability, disturbing dreams and hostility, confusion, forgetfulness, depression, insomnia, lightheadedness, mood changes, tremors, muscle cramps and weakness, staggering, dry mouth, menstrual changes, sexual dysfunction, anorexia, hypotension, and problems with urination. Withdrawal from benzodiazepines is long and unpleasant, and can be life threatening. A teen can die if he or she stops using benzodiazepines too quickly.” Talk about “alarming.”
My heart goes out to the parent who has to choose between Benzos or SSRI’s for their child’s mood disorder, but cannot even consider marijuana for treating the above ailments. This mom, however has a choice. Should she ultimately make an informed choice about using medical cannabis for her son, her son will need to be on board about that decision as well.
All drugs should be held to the same standard. But, we should not be fooled in to thinking that cannabis is a dangerous psychosis-inducing drug and that conventional medication prescribed every day to children is not dangerous.
Parzbok is a medical marijuana consultant in Northampton, MA. He has advised + guided hundreds of patients and their families about the appropriate + effective use of cannabis in all forms.
A veteran educator with a Masters from Bard College, Ezra set out to fill the cannabis education gap. His goal for patients is to reduce symptoms, increase quality of life and decrease harmful medications.
He seeks to elevate the field, as well as the dialogue surrounding it, to create a holistic and healthful approach.
The criminalization of cannabis has lead to the creation of a synthetic cannabinoid analogue black market that is far more dangerous than the cannabis plant, a new study reveals.
A revealing new study published in the journal Clinical Toxicology shows that people under the influence of synthetic cannabinoids (also known as “spice”) undergo far greater impairments than those using marijuana. In the study, entitled “Differential physiological and behavioural cues observed in individuals smoking botanical marijuana versus synthetic cannabinoid drugs,” researchers sought to measure performance and behaviour by reviewing arrest reports generated by law enforcement drug recognition experts (DRE) to evaluate motorists arrested for impaired driving.
Researchers used the following study methods:
Data were from a retrospective, convenience sample of de-identified arrest reports from impaired drivers suspected of using synthetic cannabinoids (n = 100) or marijuana (n = 33). Inclusion criteria were arrested drivers who admitted to using either synthetic cannabinoids or marijuana, or who possessed either synthetic cannabinoids or marijuana; who also had a DRE evaluation at the scene; and whose blood screens were negative for alcohol and other drugs. Exclusion criteria were impaired drivers arrested with other intoxicants found in their drug or alcohol blood screens. Blood samples were analyzed for 20 popular synthetic cannabinoids by using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and THC-COOH were quantified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Statistical significance was determined by using Fisher’s exact test or Student’s t-test, where appropriate, to compare the frequency of characteristics of those in the synthetic cannabinoid group versus those in the marijuana group.”
The results were reported as follows:
16 synthetic cannabinoid and 25 marijuana records met selection criteria; the drivers of these records were arrested for moving violations. Median age for the synthetic cannabinoid group (n = 16, 15 males) was 20 years (IQR 19-23 years). Median age for the marijuana group (n = 25, 21 males) was 20 years (IQR 19-24 years) (p = 0.46). In the synthetic cannabinoid group, 94% (15/16) admitted to using synthetic cannabinoids. In the marijuana group, 96% (24/25) admitted to using marijuana. Blood was available for testing in 96% (24/25) of the marijuana group; 21 of these 24 had quantitative levels of THC (mean + SD = 10.7 + 5 ng/mL) and THC-COOH (mean + SD = 57.8 + 3 ng/mL). Blood was available for testing in 63% (10/16) of the synthetic cannabinoid group, with 80% (8/10) of these positive for synthetic cannabinoids. Those in the synthetic cannabinoid group were more frequently confused (7/16 [44%] vs. 0/25 [0%], p ≤ 0.003) and disoriented (5/16 [31%] vs. 0/25 [0%], p ≤ 0.003), and more frequently had incoherent, slurred speech (10/16 [63%] vs. 3/25 [12%], p = 0.0014) and horizontal gaze nystagmus (8/16 [50%] vs. 3/25 [12%], p = 0.01) than those in the marijuana group.”
The researchers concluded:
Drivers under the influence of synthetic cannabinoids were more frequently impaired with confusion, disorientation, and incoherent, slurred speech than drivers under the influence of marijuana in this population evaluated by drug recognition experts.”
This study drives to the heart of the problem that results from criminalizing of marijuana, namely, the subsequent creation of a burgeoning black market of synthetic cannabis analogues. The synthetic “spice” market is a direct result of the effort to evade laws that make possessing and using marijuana plants illegal. The novel new synthetic cannabinoids exist in a legal loophole:
There are many different structures of synthetic cannabinoids because the Controlled Substance Act has outlawed certain structures. A chemist can alter an already known structure by changing a minor detail creating a new legal drug.” [Source]
In the study, motor vehicle crashes occurred in 31% (5/16) of the cases involving synthetic cannabis users and in only 4% (1/25) of the cases involving marijuana users. While the sample size of the study was small, it may be an indication relative degree of impairment between the two substances is significant. This is also reflected in the fact that disorientation and confusion occurred, respectively, in 31% and 44% of drivers under the influence of synthetic cannabinoids, but did not occur in any of the drivers under the influence of marijuana. Also, incoherent speech and horizontal gaze nystagmus [an involuntary jerking of the eye] were 4 to5 times more common in those under the influence of synthetic cannabinoids.
Comparisons between synthetic cannabis and marijuana users.
The inherent therapeutic value of cannabis and its many natural cannabinoids is becoming more commonly recognized (use our cannabis database to view the first-hand research) and on a state-by-state basis, the fundamentally irrational criminalization of cannabis for both medical and recreational use is being overturned. One positive result of this shift may be a deceleration of the concerning increase in the use of synthetic cannabinoids.
Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of GreenMedInfo or its staff.
One thing’s for sure – getting old is never easy. In fact, it’s quite painful. How painful? According to a 2014 report published by Time Magazine last year, “Americans (both men and women) filled 4.3 billion prescriptions and doled out nearly $374 billion on medicine in 2014 – hitting the highest level since 2001.” This dollar figure, according to new data from the IMS Institute for Healthcare Informatics, is up 13% in 2014 compared with the year before.
Is pain big business? You bet.
As a result, many of these people seek out conventional treatments to address these ever-increasing aches and pains. And by conventional, we mean pharmaceuticals and surgery, of course.
Yet for others – and a growing number at that – the real lifesaver is medical cannabis.
Consider: the rate at which 55 to 59 year-olds are using this ancient plant for various health concerns associated with aging has tripled from 2002 to 2008, according to NBC News. Many of these older healthcare consumers are specifically seeking out cannabis alternatives to address and combat their growing levels of eye-related discomfort and concerns.
How important are your eyes?
Try walking around for five minutes without any sight, and you realize just how important eye health truly is.
Unfortunately, as we age, our eyes – like other organs in the body – become more susceptible to degenerative disease. Often, these degenerative diseases – despite conventional medical intervention and treatment options – can lead to permanent disability. In fact, according to The National Academies Press, following cataracts, glaucoma is a primary cause of blindness around the globe, impacting 60 million people.
Common eye diseases include –
Uveitis Uveitis is the name for a group of diseases that cause inflammation of the uvea, or the middle layer of the eye. The uvea is where most of the blood vessels of the eye reside. According to WebMD, “These diseases can destroy eye tissue and even cause eye loss.” People with immune system conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis and AIDS are often susceptible to uveitis, experiencing blurred vision, eye pain, eye redness and light sensitivity.
Cataracts Cataracts are cloudy areas that develop within the eye lens. They form slowly and when they begin to affect vision, are often successfully removed through surgery.
Glaucoma Glaucoma is the name of a group of diseases that affect the nerve of the eye. While some pressure in the eye is normal, the optic nerve can become damaged when there is an attack on the cells in the eyes’ retinas. This can happen slowly and progressively over time (the most common form), or acutely due to trauma to the eye, blocked blood vessels or any number of inflammatory disorders in the eye.
Retinal Disorders As a thin lining on the back of your eye, the retina is made up of cells that collect images and pass them along to the brain. Retinal disorders prevent this transfer. Common retinal disorders include:
Macular Degeneration Age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) causes a breakdown of a small portion of the retina called the macula.
Diabetic Retinopathy Diabetic Retinopathy causes damage to the blood vessels of the retina due to diabetes.
Retinal Detachment Retinal Detachment results from a separation of the retina from the layer beneath the retina.
Back in the day…
While there was early buzz in the 1970s, regarding the therapeutic use of marijuana and THC in particular to reduce intraocular pressure (a key contributor to glaucoma) the medical establishment has been quick to suggest that marijuana as an effective medication, isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.
Why? Because until recently, the primary use of cannabis to treat glaucoma and study it’s use in the treatment of glaucoma used strains of marijuana that contained high levels of THC.
As a result, short-sighted conclusions regarding the potential efficacy of cannabis as a treatment for glaucoma have been drawn.
According to the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, “Glaucoma ranks among the most frequently cited reasons for using medical marijuana and is one of the indications for which the federal government once granted permission for compassionate marijuana use (see Chapter 2 and Chapter 11). Yet, the The National Academies Press goes on to state:
“ There is no question that marijuana-based medicines can be used to lower IOP. But like several other glaucoma medications that have fallen into disuse, their drawbacks outweigh their benefits. Marijuana reduces blood pressure and produces psychological effects that some people —particularly the elderly—find intolerable. Several patients in these studies also reported that their hearts pounded or raced and that they felt uncomfortably anxious after taking cannabinoids. All of these effects could prove especially problematic for people at risk for cardiovascular disease and stroke; moreover, reduced blood pressure could decrease blood flow to the optic nerve, counteracting the benefits of reducing IOP. Finally, their short duration of effect means that marijuana-based medicines must be taken up to eight times a day, which most patients are unlikely to do.
However, they go on to say, “It is possible that future research could reveal a therapeutic effect for isolated cannabinoids other than THC or produce synthetic cannabinoid analogs that last longer and have fewer side effects. But the most promising line of research for treating glaucoma lies in the development of therapies that can protect or rescue the optic nerve from damage or that can restore its blood supply.”
Are they ruling out cannabinoids as a therapeutic agent? No, they’re not, but they didn’t call for more research at the time either.
And it was only three years ago in 2014 that a blog post from the Glaucoma Research Foundation, stated “Although marijuana can lower the eye pressure, recommending this drug in any form for the treatment of glaucoma at the present time does not make sense given its side effects and short duration of action”
Time and time again, the medical establishment continues to take the stance that, although “marijuana has shown efficacy in treating glaucoma and other eye related diseases, the downside of THC negates its therapeutic value.
That, it seems, is their story… and they’re sticking with it.
Well thankfully, ‘the times, they are a changin’… as is the research and the negative attitudes towards cannabis.
Today: Can cannabis treat and prevent eye disease?
If they haven’t done so already, it’s fully expected that all 29 states and the District of will all include glaucoma as a qualifying condition, giving you the right to use medical cannabis for the relief of your glaucoma.
The Huffington Post reveals: “It’s long been accepted that marijuana has direct benefits for glaucoma patients, but a new study suggests that pot may also prevent blindness for sufferers of another disease.
That disease is retinitis pigmentosis, a degenerative condition that destroys the millions of microscopic light sensors (known as photoreceptors) in the human eye and has no known cure.
Now, researchers at the University of Alicante in Spain believe medical cannabis may be able to “significantly slow down the destruction of those light sensors.”
Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Cannabis can help
Age-related macular degeneration, or AMD, is another eye disease commonly associated with aging that affects the macula – the part of the eye that sees all the wonderful fine detail in life.
The macula enables us to enjoy activities such as reading, browsing on computer screens, driving around town, and even recognizing faces.
AMD is a gradual and sneaky disease that destroys sharp, central vision making it difficult to see everyday objects with clarity, causing 90% of legal blindness cases.
It’s believed that cannabinoids can significantly help reduce MD symptoms. How? Cannabinoids reduce ocular pressure – they’re anti-inflammatory, and anti-angiogenesis. Cannabinoids have also been shown to protect cells, have anti-aging properties, are neuro-protective, lower blood pressure, protect retina cells, relieve depression and inhibit VEGF growth. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a signaling protein that promotes the growth of new blood vessels.
Clearly, more research and efficacy studies need to be done, but the initial results of cannabinoid research are indeed, very promising.
Diabetic Retinopathy: New hope on the horizon
Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness in working-age adults, affecting nearly 16 million Americans, according to Oregoneyes.net.
Again, medical cannabis may have application.
“Early studies indicate cannabidiol works as a consummate multi-tasker to protect the eye from growing a plethora of leaky blood vessels, the hallmark of diabetic retinopathy,” says Dr. Gregory I. Liou, molecular biologist at the Medical College of Georgia.
Dr. Liou, who recently received a $300,000 grant from the American Diabetes Association, wants to intervene earlier in the process, as healthy relationships inside the retina first start to go bad.
In fact, he hopes “the compound in marijuana may one day be given along with insulin to stop the early changes that set the stage for damaged or destroyed vision.” The Science Daily article goes on to state “Cannabinoid receptors are found throughout the body and endogenous cannabinoids are produced to act on them.” According to Dr. Liou, “Their function is very different from organ to organ but in the central nervous system, cannabinoid receptors are responsible for the neutralization process that should occur after a nerve impulse is finished.”
Glaucoma: The eyes have it
Eye disease has been identified as one of the top 10 diseases where cannabis can have a profound medicinal impact. A recent CNN story explains: “Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness. Scientists have looked at THC’s impact on this disease on the optic nerve and found it can lower eye pressure, but it may also lower blood pressure, which could harm the optic nerve due to a reduced blood supply. Will only non-THC cannabis compounds prove to be the “answer”?
Perhaps. But not so fast.
Scientists are currently looking into cannabinoid therapies applied directly to the eye, as an alternative to systemic administration via inhalation and injestion. This could negate the potential issues surrounding optic nerve damage due to reduced blood pressure.
In addition, THC has not only been found to be anti-inflammatory, but has also been found to preserve the nerves, according to another recent small study.”
“Cannabis use may temporarily relieve intra-ocular pressure, but it does not cure glaucoma. Although cannabis use has been shown to decrease IOP and has a favorable safety profile in general, its use is limited by:
the fact that it only works for a few hours before another administration is needed, which is important because psychoactive effects may decrease the ability to perform certain duties necessary in daily life, such as driving, and certain side effects that impact the heart and must be carefully considered or avoided in patients with heart issues.
Additionally, other therapies for glaucoma may be more or equally effective and have fewer side effects than whole-plant cannabis use, due partially to their direct application to the eye (rather than systemically) and a subsequent reduced potential for negative or inconvenient side effects.
However, for patients experiencing certain negative side effects from standard therapies, whole-plant cannabis use may be an alternative option for managing high intra-ocular pressure and potentially certain symptoms, as well. Due to the potential for whole-plant cannabis use to decrease blood pressure and therefore blood supply to the optic nerve (potentially resulting in damage), as well as its potential to cause other negative side effects (especially for patients with heart issues), use should be carefully considered with and monitored by a healthcare professional. Increasing research on the use of cannabinoids in topical treatments may one day lead to new therapies for reducing intra-ocular pressure in patients with glaucoma.”
Tomorrow: So what’s the take-away?
As legalization continues to spread across the United States and around the globe, researchers continue to uncover and test therapeutic cannabis compounds that both prevent and treat a wide variety of degenerative and painful diseases – including those related to the eye.
We need to study the details and treat the individual. Just as each human body is different, so too is the optimal mix of therapeutic cannabinoids. The trick is to find what works for each person being treated. One size, one color, one shape, does not fit all.
What needs to be studied? Nearly every aspect of this ancient plant and its interaction with individuals; Synergistic effects, dosing, strains and co-morbidities just to name a few factors and variables. Fully funded and extensive research will ensure ongoing progress in this growing field of holistic cannabis.
And as we continue to study, dissect and harness the power of this ancient herb, we believe that as one human race, we will finally be able to holistically address the wide range of the maladies we, as unique individuals, face as we grow and age.
The great news is, there is real hope for all of us who will invariably face these mounting health concerns. To be sure, we’ve only just begun.
Be the change you want to see
The Holistic Cannabis Academy has been established to continue to shed light on the holistic use of cannabis to improve the lives of people everywhere. The Holistic Cannabis Academy provides comprehensive medical cannabis education wherever you are, whomever you are, giving you the knowledge and credentials you need to help yourself and others manage their health concerns naturally using medicinal cannabis.
Do you, like one of our current Academy students, have questions regarding:
Industrial hemp oil vs whole plant cannabis oil?
THC + CBD synergy?
CBD tolerance + dosage?
Unless you’re an expert in the field, the chances are, you do. And, you’re not alone.
In fact, one of the greatest challenges the medicinal cannabis community faces, is separating long-standing assumptions from science-driven fact.
In our global effort to communicate, educate, and empower individuals to make thoughtful decisions about medical cannabis, the Holistic Cannabis Academy proudly partners and works closely with its expert faculty members to bring you the answers and clarity you seek.
QUESTION: [From my understanding] “hemp oil doesn’t even begin to compare to the medicinal uses of Cannabis”. [Is this true?]
ANSWER: I used to have this opinion as well. Then, I started using and recommending CBD. During the last three years I have found that over 90% of patients achieve major improvements in their conditions without any significant THC contained in high quality CBD extracts from industrial hemp. There may be ways to get around the psychoactive effects of THC but the vast majority of people with whom I contact do not want anything that interferes with their cognition for any amount of time.
QUESTION: “The research shows that THC and CBD work together synergistically.” [Does THC need to be paired with CBD to produce desired therapeutic results?]
ANSWER: It is true that some research shows this and other research shows that CBD alone is very effective in many conditions. The latter is consistent with my clinical experience as well. Unfortunately, I have not had much clinical experience with THC-containing cannabis products. With those few cases the individuals were unable to tell me any details about the product they were using in terms of CBD or THC, extraction methods, analysis, purity, or consistency. Perhaps that will change with time, legislation, regulation and expense. Full product analysis from third party testing by the batch is available from high quality industrial hemp CBD suppliers like Elixinol, Inc.
QUESTION: We all know that people build up a tolerance to the psychoactive effects of THC but there seems to be a question as to whether people build up a tolerance to the medicinal benefits of CBD. What have you seen or read in your experience?”
ANSWER: “If you mean that higher doses are required to achieve the same benefits I have seen no tolerance issues with CBD. In fact, there appears to be some reverse tolerance in that users can reduce the dose by 50-75% while maintaining the same benefits.
In addition, CBD appears to reduce the tolerance of opioids and other drugs, meaning a decrease in those drug requirements. The mechanism appears to be the modulation of opioid receptors rather than any change in drug levels of those substances. Furthermore, I have seen the reductions in addictive symptoms from opioids as well as reductions in withdrawal effects for opioids, nicotine and benzodiazepines. Recently, I learned from Dr. Bonnie Goldstein, MD, that in some cases of long duration of THC/CBD in epilepsy had sudden failure to control seizures which was corrected and resolved with skipping 4 doses of cannabis. The same occurred for one of my clients and was restored to effectiveness at a lower dose after 2 days off CBD.”
Learn more about the Holistic Cannabis Academy and get the insight, expertise and holistic cannabis education you need and deserve.
Three cheers for another (not so) small step for cannabis legislation and one giant leap for progressive US healthcare.
Without a doubt, Election Day 2016 was a transformational moment not only in American politics but also for the cannabis movement. Indeed, the people have spoken, and cannabis continues to gain acceptance and availability throughout the country.
This is not only great news for those states voting in favor of legalization, but for all who continue to wait for the Federal Government to reschedule or deschedule this ancient, medicinal plant. State by state, the entire country is being redefined. Surely, the Federal Government can’t be far behind.
As of now, 28 states plus the District of Columbia have some form of legalized cannabis use, demonstrating that most Americans recognize and favor the value of this medicinal plant. Regardless of where you live, this legislative success story means that cannabis continues to gain acceptance and become legally available throughout the country.
Here’s how it played out.
Medical Cannabis Gains Ground
Four states – Florida, Arkansas, Montana and North Dakota – gave the thumbs up to moving some form of medical cannabis legislation forward. This means more than half the US states (28 in total) plus DC now allow some type of access to medical marijuana. Keep in mind that as with all medical use legislation, every state has different specifics about qualifying medical conditions, grow and dispensary licensing, and retail availability.
Florida – This is exciting because two years ago, Florida narrowly missed achieving the 60% vote needed. In this past election, the cannabis referendum cleared the hurdle with a whopping 70% vote. Because the Sunshine State has such a large older population, which often requires health services, this win carries significance to the legislative movement.
North Dakota – An amendment was approved to allow medical use for certain health conditions and for patients to grow a small number of plants when they live more than 40 miles from a dispensary.
Arkansas – Interesting contrast here because although Donald Trump garnered 61 percent of the vote, Arkansas approved medical marijuana and became the first state in the Deep South to do so. A red state passing progressive legislation hopefully sends a signal to the feds.
Montana – The new law reverses an earlier ruling by the Montana Supreme Court that had limited providers to only three patients each and now adds PTSD to the list of qualifying health conditions.
Adult Use Cannabis Expands Before November 8th, four states had approved adult use marijuana – Alaska, Colorado, Oregon, Washington State, and the District of Columbia. That number increased to seven with the addition of California, Nevada, Massachusetts, and Maine. Arizona is the only state where adult use did not pass, so it remains a medical use only state.
California – Building on its existing medical use law, this is a huge win for cannabis advocates everywhere simply because of the state’s market size. Coupled with Washington and Oregon, the entire West Coast now has adult use laws in place. Many feel this will also influence cannabis progress in South American and Mexico. Additionally, it may put more pressure on the US government to make a sweeping federal change. Stay tuned!
New England Region – Though small in size, Maine’s progressive approach may trickle down and influence the rest of New England. Both Maine and Massachusetts took a step forward by expanding adult use to their existing medical programs. Is this the start of an East Coast movement?
Nevada – Already offering medical marijuana, this can only be a boon to Nevada’s already robust tourism business. This translates to more tax dollars and employment opportunities – positive moves for any state.
Here’s what it means to you
Simply put, these changes mean increased freedoms and increased choices. If ever there was an exciting time for personal and professional growth in the holistic cannabis industry, it’s now.
