Welcome to Senior Cannabis Digest. This week we look at the market for cannabis products with less THC, CBD gummies as sleep aides, using medical cannabis to reduce opioid use and more. Enjoy.
Cannabis Trends
Selling cannabis products that contain less THC may make for more customers and increased profits. That’s the thinking behind a decision by several cannabis companies in Colorado to provide customers with more low-dose products from which to choose. The companies believe this allows them to access new markets, such as inexperienced cannabis users and people battling anxiety or sleep problems.
That’s the word from Colton Chavez, reporting for Denver-based 9News.com. Chavez noted in a recent article that several cannabis companies are now catering to clientele who don’t want their marijuana to be so strong. It’s believed the move to provide a wider selection of low-dose products will allow companies to access new customers, such as inexperienced cannabis users and people who want to use cannabis to address anxiety or sleep problems.
Simply put, those new customers want the benefits of cannabis without an overwhelming high.
Said Adam Shepler, the manager of Terrapin Care Station, a dispensary in Denver, Colorado, “People are looking for more functionality. Truthfully throughout the day, not looking for that completely blitzed-out feeling where they can’t get things done.”
Shepler also made the point that an edible THC gummy usually has 10mg of THC and that many people are looking for something less potent. Added Shepler, “The state recommendation for a single-serve edible is 10mg, so something half that or even lower. Feelings of anxiety or sleep — we are seeing a lot of people coming into the market looking for sleep aids.”
According to the latest report from the City of Denver, as a state, marijuana sales in Colorado dropped from $1.7 billion in 2022 to $1.5 billion in 2023.
In his article, Chavez writes that Shepler believes weaker cannabis products, particularly for people over the age of 50, could help end that slump.
Chavez also makes the point that AARP reported earlier this year that 1 in 5 adults over the age of 50 have used cannabis, with 68 percent of those polled saying they used cannabis to help with sleep.
To learn more, we suggest reading the article by Colton Chavez that appeared in the November 30, 2024 online issue of 9News.com, an NBC affiliate.
CBD Spotlight
If, like many, you are thinking of using a CBD product to help you get a good night’s sleep but don’t know where to start, there is helpful news.
Cathy Rozy, reporting for the online publication SeattleMet, has put together a list of CBD products that she contends can help you get the slumber of your dreams.
Rozy writes that unlike many over-the-counter and prescription sleep medications, CBD gummies are all-natural, don’t cause intoxication, and are non-habit-forming. According to Rozy, this means you won’t ingest harmful chemicals, deal with next-day grogginess, or be at risk of developing a dependency when using CBD gummies.
She also contends that CBD gummies can help a person regulate their sleep cycle, calm nighttime anxiety and reduce pain related to inflammation.
Here are three of her favorites.
• The gummie she rates “best overall” is Koi Complete Nighttime Rest Gummies. These are said to offer a unique twist by combining several cannabinoids—CBD, CBN, and THC—for a relaxing and restful experience.
Each of these nighttime CBD gummies is infused with 25 milligrams of CBD, 10 milligrams of CBN, and 5 milligrams of THC. They come in two flavors: Black Cherry and Orange Cream.
• The gummie that she says has “the best formula” is Slumber Extra Strength CBN Gummies for Sleep. Described as being “ideal for those who prefer to avoid THC,” these gummies are completely THC-free and are also formulated without melatonin.
These “chewy treats” are designed to offer a quicker onset of effects than the average cannabis edibles, promising results in as little as 30 to 40 minutes.
Each gummy contains 15 mg of CBN, a cannabinoid said to possess naturally-producing sedative effects. They come in only one flavor: Vanilla Blueberry, which some folks might consider two flavors, but be that as it may.
• Her third selection is the one that is said to be the most potent—Medterra Sound Asleep CBD Gummies. Described as being vegan-friendly, gluten-free, and non-GMO, these gummies are infused with a potent blend of both CBD and THC, as well as L-theanine and melatonin—a naturally occurring hormone—for additional sleep support.
Each blackberry-flavored gummie contains 50 mg of CBD and 5 mg of THC, which, Rozy cautions, may be strong enough to show up on a drug test.
To learn more and see the rest of her picks, we urge you to read the article by Cathy Rozy in the November 29, 2024 issue of SeattleMet.com.
https://www.seattlemet.com/advantage/2024/11/best-cbd-gummies-for-sleep-6-cbd-gummies-to-help-you-fall-asleep-and-stay-asleep
Spotlight on Medical Marijuana
A new study suggests the state of Utah’s decision to legalize medical cannabis has both reduced opioid use by patients with chronic pain and also helped drive down prescription overdose deaths statewide.
According to Ben Adlin, reporting for Marijuana Moment, the study which was prepared by the analytics firm Management Science Associates (MSA), indicates that “cannabis has a substantial role to play in pain management and the reduction of opioid use.” The study was the basis of a presentation made to members of Utah’s Medical Cannabis Policy Advisory Board.
The research team also held that the availability of legal cannabis has both reduced opioid use by patients with chronic pain and helped drive down prescription overdose deaths statewide.
Wrote the authors of the study, “Since the legalization of medical cannabis in 2018, there has been a noticeable decrease in deaths related to prescription opioids in the state. This shift suggests that the introduction of cannabis as a therapeutic alternative may have contributed to a reduction in opioid use among patients seeking pain relief.”
In his article, Adlin noted that, “While many patients reported more than one type of pain, results showed that most who reduced their opioid prescriptions during cannabis use suffered from chronic musculoskeletal pain. The sharpest reduction in opioids, meanwhile, was among people with chronic neuropathic pain.”
Adlin also makes the point that, “separate research published earlier this year found that more than half (57 percent) of patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain said cannabis was more effective than other analgesic medications, while 40 percent reported reducing their use of other painkillers since they began using marijuana.”
It should be noted that one category of conditions in the new Utah study—chronic headache and orofacial pain—was associated with increases in opioid use. According to Adlin, those conditions were linked to a 20.6 percent rise in opioid consumption, compared to a 10.9 percent to 73.5 percent reduction among all other conditions in the study.
To learn more, we suggest reading Ben Adlin’s clear and insightful reporting in the November 29, 2024 issue of Marijuana Moment.net.
Travel News and Notes
Mature consumers and others who like to travel with a modest amount of cannabis for personal consumption may soon be able to breathe easier when they travel by air.
That’s because the Justice Department has banned the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) from conducting random searches of travelers’ belongings at airports and transit hubs. This follows a Justice Department investigation that exposed what were described as “corrupt practices.”
So says Maureen Meehan, reporting for Benzinga. According to Mehan, the investigation, which was led by Inspector General Michael Horowitz, uncovered failures to properly document searches, potential racial profiling and questionable partnerships with airline employees.
Meehan notes that a 2016 USA Today investigation found that DEA agents seized over $209 million from more than 5,200 travelers at 15 major airports over a decade, with most funds shared with local police. Critics argue these practices incentivize unconstitutional searches for profit.
She writes that the decision to suspend the searches was issued by the deputy attorney general after reviewing the draft report. The Justice Department’s memo restricts DEA agents from engaging in consensual encounters at transit locations unless tied to active investigations or approved under special circumstances.
Clearly, the ruling doesn’t give consumers a license to stuff a year’s worth of cannabis products in their carry-on luggage or light up on the plane the next time they fly. What it is supposed to do is protect individuals from unwarranted searches based on their appearance or because they failed to tip someone. Hopefully it does just that.
To learn more, including detailed accounts of some of the abuses carried out by DEA employees, we encourage you to read Megan Meehan’s excellent reporting in the November 23, 2024 issue of Benzinga.com.
The Shape of Things to Come
In a decision that may offer a glimpse of the future of pain management and patient care here in the U.S., the Czech Republic’s Ministry of Health has stated that starting April 1, 2025, general practitioners will be authorized to prescribe cannabis for pain relief.
Currently, a total of 41 states in the U.S., as well the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, have medical marijuana programs. However, who can prescribe medical cannabis and for what conditions varies from state to state and insurance coverage for medical cannabis is still extremely rare.
According to an article that appeared in the online publication Prague Morning, this decision by the Czech Health Ministry is seen by some as a significant step toward meeting patient demand and reducing dependency on traditional analgesics and opiates.
Said Ministry spokesperson Ondřej Jakob “The decree allows GPs to prescribe medicinal cannabis for chronic, intractable pain.” Jakob acknowledged that the new rules are designed to simplify access.
Petr Šonka, Chairman of the Association of GPs of the Czech Republic offered the opinion that, “If GPs can prescribe opiates such as morphine, it is logical they should also be allowed to prescribe medicinal cannabis.” He also emphasized that cannabis could be especially valuable for terminal cancer patients experiencing severe pain.
Presently, in the Czech Republic 90 percent of the cost of up to 30 grams of cannabis per month is covered by health insurance. However, there are patients who require larger amounts of cannabis on a regular basis. For example, those with conditions, such as multiple sclerosis, can often need up to 90 grams monthly and must pay out-of-pocket for the cannabis not covered by insurance.
According to the article in Prague Morning, there are conflicting estimates of how many residents of the Czech Republic use medical cannabis. Official data reveals that only 8,000 patients currently use cannabis legally.
However, a survey by the National Drug Monitoring Center found that over one million Czechs used cannabis for medical purposes in the past year, with 600,000 relying on it for home treatment.
It’s said that many patients resort to home-grown cannabis, despite the risks of criminal charges. While personal use is decriminalized, cultivation and distribution remain criminal offenses, leaving many users vulnerable to prosecution.
To learn more, we suggest reading the article that appeared in the November 26, 2024 issue of Prague Morning.CZ.
https://praguemorning.cz/czech-gps-will-be-able-to-prescribe-medical-cannabis-next-year/
Senior Cannabis Digest is compiled and edited by Joe Kohut and John Kohut. You can reach them at joe.kohut@gmail.com and at 347-528-8753.
