HealthDay News) — Medical marijuana has been a beacon of hope in the opioid epidemic, with states legalizing weed in hopes that its use will cut down on fatal overdoses from painkiller use.
Now, a new study is throwing cold water on that notion.
There’s no association between medical marijuana laws and opioid overdose death rates, researchers report.
“New Mexico health officials on Thursday expanded the list of qualifying conditions for the state’s medical cannabis program to include opioid use disorder, joining several other states. Other qualifying conditions that were added include Alzheimer’s disease, autism spectrum disorder and three degenerative neurological disorders.”
Carmen Reinicke
“Cronos Group soared more than 15% Wednesday after the Canadian cannabis company announced it plans to launch cannabidiol, or CBD, in the US within the next six to 12 months”
By Ciara Linnane
“The U.S. Food and Drug Administrationconducted its first-ever hearing on cannabis and its nonintoxicating ingredient CBD all day Friday with more than 100 speakers offering views, including researchers, health professionals, advocates, manufacturers and opponents”
Frozen sweets giant Ben & Jerry’s plans to make CBD-infused ice cream if it becomes legal to add the chemical found in hemp and marijuana to edibles in the U.S. The company is so set on the idea that it submitted a comment to the Food and Drug Administration in support of legalizing CBD-infused foods and beverages for a public hearing being held on the matter Friday.”
“The vast majority of Americans — nearly 95% of us — support the use of medical cannabis. Thirty-three states plus the District of Columbia have legalized it, and that number is likely to rise.
But like all swiftly embraced changes in public health, there can be unintended consequences of legalizing cannabis for medical uses.
Claire Hansen Staff Writer
“Under current VA policy, VA doctors cannot prescribe or recommend medical marijuana to patients – including in states where medical marijuana is legal – because of the drug’s status as a Schedule I controlled substance.”
The Vitamin Shoppe started stocking its shelves with oral CBD soft gels this week and will start selling CBD drops by the end of the month. It’s one of the first major national retailers to sell CBD supplements since Congress legalized the cannabis derivative in December. The move flies in the face of guidance from the Food and Drug Administration that prohibits companies from adding CBD to dietary supplements until the agency has a chance to write new rules regulating its sale.
THN 