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A new study, led by researchers from University College London, is offering some of the first robust evidence showing how cannabidiol (CBD), a key compound in cannabis, increases cerebral blood flow in memory processing regions of the brain such as the hippocampus. CBD is just one of more than 100 different cannabinoids found in cannabis. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the compound most often associated with the plant’s psychoactive euphoric effects. CBD on the other hand is increasingly being found to confer a number of positive health outcomes. It recently became the first cannabis-derived compound ever approved by the FDA, used to...

In a separate study conducted by the same researchers, they previously found that cannabis use in pregnancy was linked to an increased risk of preterm birth. The women involved in that study often used other substances like tobacco, alcohol, and opioids. "Considering those findings, in the current study the researchers specifically looked at 2,200 women who reported using only cannabis during pregnancy, and no other substances. They found that babies born to this group still had an increased risk of autism compared to those who did not use cannabis," per the press release.

what they call the largest study ever done, researchers found using marijuana while pregnant may increase the risk that a child will develop autism. "Women who used cannabis during pregnancy were 1.5 times more likely to have a child with autism," said study author Dr. Darine El-Chaâr, a maternal fetal medicine specialist and clinical investigator at Ottawa Hospital Research Institute in Canada. These are not reassuring findings. We highly discourage use of cannabis during pregnancy and breastfeeding," she said. Past studies have shown the use of marijuana during pregnancy is linked to low birth weight, impulsivity, hyperactivity, attention issues and...

Newly-released data shows the majority of Colorado’s youth are participating in healthy behaviors and that marijuana use among school-aged children has not significantly changed since legalization. The data comes from the bi-annual statewide Healthy Kids Colorado Survey (HKCS) conducted last year with more than 100,000 students participating. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) released the results of the survey Monday. The survey shows marijuana use among school-aged kids has stayed relatively flat since legalization, but the way kids are using marijuana has changed. In 2019, 20.6% of youth said they use marijuana compared to 19.4% in 2017....

The American Heart Association is warning that marijuana use shows “substantial risks” and “no benefit” in cardiovascular health, and its deputy chief science and medical officer is recommending that people “not smoke or vape any substance, including cannabis products, because of the potential harm to the heart, lungs and blood vessels.” Marijuana contains the psychoactive chemical THC (which gives users the “high”), as well as more than 100 compounds (cannabinoids, such as the popular cannabidiol, or CBD ) chemically related to THC that are still not entirely understood. Studies suggest that they inhibit some enzymes in the body that can...

Freedom Leaf, Inc. moves toward a major revenue increase with the launch of the Hempology brands and Green Market Europe LAS VEGAS, NV–(Marketwired – Nov 2, 2017) – Freedom Leaf, Inc. (OTCQB: FRLF) is very pleased to announce that Paul Pelosi Jr. has accepted our invitation to become Chairman of Freedom Leaf’s Board of Directors, effective immediately. Mr. Pelosi will guide FRLF in corporate governance, sustainable revenue generation, and investor relations. Freedom Leaf, Inc. will launch an Initiative to become the model for corporate governance in the cannabis and hemp sector. Mr. Paul Pelosi Jr. is the son of U.S....

She popped her pop in the privates — when he wouldn’t share a few puffs of pot. A Florida woman was arrested on Thursday for allegedly attacking her father and trying to grab his genitals after he refused to let her smoke his medical marijuana, The Smoking Gun reports. Dakota DiRienzo, 22, allegedly lit up with anger because her dad, Luigi, had been sharing his pot with pals but not with his own daughter, the outlet reported. They came to blows at his trailer park home in the town of Sebastian, just north of Vero Beach, cops alleged. “Dakota attacked...

[...] No matter what happens federally, it's unlikely that marijuana's scheduling will be changed anytime soon. This means state-level cannabis legalizations will continue to play a major role in growing the U.S. pot industry.This coming November, residents of three states are guaranteed to be voting on a cannabis measure in their respective states. However, four additional states may join.New Jersey: Will be on the ballot While there's no such thing as a lock when it comes to voting on the legalization of marijuana, New Jersey's constitutional amendment that aims to legalize adult-use marijuana appears to have a very good chance...

A group seeking to legalize recreational marijuana in Montana says it has gathered enough signatures to put the question to voters in November's election. The ballot committee, New Approach Montana, says it has turned in 52,000 signatures in support of a ballot initiative to allow retail marijuana sales at a 20% tax rate. Organizers also turned in more than 80,000 signatures for an accompanying constitutional initiative that would allow the legal age buying age of marijuana to be set at 21. The committed collected signatures from all 100 state House districts, spokesman Pepper Petersen said, all while taking precautions to...

<p>Police benefit from marijuana legalization in ways you probably don’t expect. Research shows no longer enforcing marijuana policies allows cops to redirect their attention to solving more pressing crimes, including burglary, theft, and property crimes. But multiple states and municipalities also allocate legal marijuana tax revenue to police budgets. That could change following nationwide protests against police brutality and systemic racism.</p>

Cannabis shops that were broken into during the last weekend of May in the wave of civil unrest following the brutal killing of George Floyd are reeling from the financial toll. Though several have said they supported the protests, the burglaries and looting perpetrated by a number of individuals has left some business owners worried about whether their operations can survive. Dispensaries were hit hard; Leafly reports that 43 businesses in California and Oregon were ransacked. Boston’s Pure Oasis — the first minority-owned adult-use dispensary on the East Coast — reportedly lost $100,000. Chicago’s Mission Dispensary South Shore was “mostly...

People who regularly smoke cannabis are almost three times more likely to commit a violent offence as those who abstain from the drug, new research has found. Scientists involved in a landmark study of almost 300,000 teenagers and young adults believe that over time, prolonged cannabis use profoundly alters the brain, making the user less able to control their temper. In addition, the research found addicts may also suffer from withdrawal symptoms, making them irritable and prone to lashing out.

“Because they are trying to find out whether or not there is any impact on the use of marijuana, not in leading you to other drugs, but what it effects—does it effect long-term development of the brain,” said Biden. “And we should wait ‘til the studies are done. I think science matters.” Charlamagne responded: “I think we got, I think we got decades and decades of studies from actual weed smokers." “Yeah, I do,” said Biden. “I know a lot of weed smokers.”

May 20, 2020, 7:21 p.m. EST: BREAKING: The Minnesota Catholic Conference and The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod in Minnesota sent Governor Tim Walz separate letters today announcing that they will resume worship services on May 26 despite Governor Walz’s current COVID-19 executive order which allows retailers to operate at 50 percent capacity but caps church worship services at ten people. Governor Walz’s latest re-opening order allows the Mall of America to open its doors to those seeking retail therapy but disallows churches from providing spiritual healing to their congregations. At the same time, The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty sent Governor...

They have high hopes for a coronavirus breakthrough. A team of Canadian scientists believes it has found strong strains of cannabis that could help prevent and then treat coronavirus infections, according to interviews and a study.

Legal weed sales during Illinois’ first full month of coronavirus lockdown amounted to almost $37.3 million, surpassing every month of recreational marijuana sales in Illinois so far except January. Dispensaries have been allowed to stay open during Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s stay-at-home order, which has been extended through May. But operators have had to adapt, implementing online ordering systems, curbside pickup and enforcing social distancing in stores. Even April 20, the well-known holiday celebrating marijuana, was subdued this year. Dispensaries stretched out 4/20 deals to reduce overcrowding in stores, and some celebrated the occasion virtually. Still, last month’s sales bested March’s...

Nearly $1 million in cash was dumped on a Central California road during a police chase that ended with the arrests of two New York men who apparently planned to buy marijuana with the money, the California Highway Patrol said. Frank Capraro, 23, and Desmond McDay, 25, both of Medford, were arrested Friday evening, the Merced Sun-Star reported. It wasn’t immediately clear whether they had obtained lawyers. The chase began shortly before 6:30 p.m. when a CHP officer tried to stop one of three black SUVs that appeared to be traveling together on Interstate 5 south of Los Banos in...

Dozens of hippies who got stuck at a festival in Panama due to coronavirus realized that the collectivist utopia they sought after is actually “hell” as they bicker over food and territory.

TEL AVIV – An Israeli hospital will begin testing COVID-19 patients with medicinal cannabis, which is known to have anti-viral properties, as part of a new experimental treatment. Researchers are investigating cannabidiol, the non-psychoactive component of cannabis also known as CBD, can slow down the spread of the virus and stop moderate patients from turning critical. Dozens of COVID-19 patients in moderate condition at Ichilov Medical Center in Tel Aviv are expected to be treated. Barak Cohen, a senior anesthesiologist who is in charge of managing the hospital’s coronavirus response, stressed the treatment would alleviate symptoms by using “a component...

The cinnamon roll craze continues in Fresno. Long lines formed yet again on Saturday after Country Fair Cinnamon Rolls set up shop at the fairgrounds in the morning. It was a chance for people to take home hot rolls to enjoy. The company's Facebook page kept people updated while they were in line, even noting a 4-hour wait at one point. They had to cut off sales at five but plan to hold more events like this in the future. If you are looking for a place to buy the rolls year-round, you can head to the Chowchilla Chevron off...