Welcome to Senior Cannabis Digest. This week we look at treating insomnia with cannabis, CBD as a sleep aid, cannabis and alcohol consumption and more. Enjoy.
Cannabis and Sleep
There’s helpful news for those who find that getting a good night’s sleep can be a struggle. Consuming cannabis can help insomnia patients fall asleep faster and experience improved sleep overall.
That’s the key finding of a new study by a group of British researchers. According to Graham Abbott, reporting for Ganjapreneur, the study, which was published in the journal PLOS Mental Health, was conducted over 18 months with input from 124 participants.
To conduct the study, researchers recruited people who had been diagnosed with insomnia and who were registered with the UK Medical Cannabis Registry.
Wrote the researchers in the journal article, “The findings indicate a promising association between cannabis-based medicinal product treatment and improvements in sleep-specific outcomes. However, it is crucial to acknowledge that these findings must be interpreted with consideration of the limitations in the study’s design, and there is a need for high-quality [trials] to assess the long-term efficacy and safety of cannabis-based medicinal product for primary insomnia.”
In his article, Abbott acknowledges that the authors of the study noted that while cannabis might not be a good long-term solution for insomnia patients due to the likelihood that repeated consumption will eventually lead to higher tolerance for the medication, its initial success as an insomnia treatment makes further research worthwhile.
He also cites an observation by Eliana Bonaguro, a licensed mental health counselor based in NYC and Florida, who offered the opinion that “cannabis can quiet racing thoughts,” and that, “Many people with anxiety and depression have trouble falling asleep because of racing thoughts, so that’s where cannabis helps in the short term.”
As usual, Graham Abbott’s reporting is insightful and on target. To learn more, we urge you to read his article in the September 3, 2025 issue of Ganjapreneur.com.
https://ganjapreneur.com/study-cannabis-improves-sleep-for-insomnia-patients/?
Tips on CBD and Sleep
If you are thinking of using CBD to help you get a better night’s sleep, Dee Mani, the founder of My Way CBD, a British CBD company, offers the following tips.
Choose Quality Products
Look for brands that offer third-party testing, full-spectrum cbd oil, organic ingredients, and full transparency.
Find Your CBD Sleep Dosage
Start low and increase gradually. Everyone’s body is different, so finding the right CBD dosage for sleep may take some trial and error. Britain’s Food Standard’s Agency (FSA) recommends taking no more than 10mg of CBD per day for healthy adults.
Time It Right
Take CBD oil for sleep and relaxation about 30–60 minutes before bed. Pair it with calming rituals, such as reading or meditation.
Combine with Sleep Hygiene
CBD works best when paired with healthy habits:
• Limit screen time before bed
• Keep your bedroom cool and quiet
• Stick to a consistent sleep schedule
• Avoid caffeine and alcohol late in the day
Know the difference between full-spectrum and broad-spectrum CBD oil.
Full-spectrum CBD oil contains a wide range of cannabinoids and terpenes, including trace amounts of THC, which may enhance sleep through the entourage effect. Broad-spectrum CBD oil offers similar benefits but is THC-free, making it suitable for those who prefer a non-intoxicating option.
Can CBD help with insomnia caused by stress or anxiety?
Yes. CBD interacts with serotonin receptors to promote emotional calm, which can reduce stress-related sleep issues. It’s especially helpful for people who struggle to “switch off” at night.
Will CBD make me feel high or groggy in the morning?
No. CBD is non-intoxicating and does not contain the psychoactive properties of THC. Most users find it helps them wake up feeling clear-headed and well-rested.
What are the side effects of taking CBD for sleep?
CBD is generally well tolerated. Mild side effects may include dry mouth or drowsiness. Always consult your GP before starting CBD—especially if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking medication.
More information on using CBD to promote health and wellness can be found on the company’s website. To learn more, click on the link that follows.
https://mywaycbd.com/cbd-for-sleep/
Ms. Mani’s tips are taken from a longer article that appeared on the Leafwire.com website.
https://www.leafwire.com/feed/10052
Cannabis News and Notes
THC-infused beverages are putting a new spin on having a cold one at your favorite bar. Some folks even believe these beverages are helping to redefine social drinking in general.
So says Margaret Jackson, writing for MJBizDaily. Jackson reports that while THC-infused beverages were once available only in bottles and cans, they can now be found in tap lines in bars in states such as South Carolina, Wisconsin and Minnesota, where they are seen as an alternative to alcohol.
According to Jackson, the availability of cannabis beverages on tap, such as those from Pharos Brands in Wisconsin, blends the familiarity of a bar experience with the growing demand for non-alcoholic alternatives.
Jackson notes that with a 5 mg dose of hemp-derived THC in every pour, Pharos’ drinks provide a mild, approachable way for consumers to relax and connect without the effect of alcohol. And for taverns, it also creates an opportunity to fill unused tap lines in bars and attract a new wave of curious consumers.
Said Mary Bernuth, co-founder and president of Pharos Brands, “We wanted to launch the kegs in a place where bellying up to the bar is such a cultural part of their experience and to make sure a cannabis-infused beverage is an option.”
However, for now, Jackson writes, Pharos is only selling its kegs in Wisconsin and does not have plans to expand the kegs elsewhere.
Jackson also notes that the introduction of THC beverages in bars comes at a time when alcohol sales have softened, leaving many establishments with liquor licenses with unused tap lines. A recent Gallup survey, she points out, found that fewer Americans report they are drinking alcohol— about 54 percent, compared with 58 percent in 2024 and 62 percent in 2023.
That’s one reason some say Pharos’ THC kegs can provide a creative solution, one that offers bar owners a new revenue stream while meeting the growing demand for alcohol alternatives.
Said Jerry Zavorka of distribution company Badger Cannabis, a subsidiary of Capitol-Husting/Allstate Liquor & Wine Co. and distributor for Pharos, “Tavern operators are finding this to be a potential opportunity as tap lines from beer sit empty.”
Meanwhile, the global market for cannabis beverages is estimated at $1.3 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach $3.1 billion by 2030, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 16.3 percent, according to ReaseachAndMarkets.com.
As always, Margaret Jackson does an excellent job of unpacking and illuminating a complicated issue. You can learn much more by reading her article in the September 2, 2025 issue of MJBizDaily.com.
https://mjbizdaily.com/on-tap-thc-infused-drinks-redefine-the-bar-experience/
Cannabis Corner
Consuming cannabis may help heavy drinkers cut back on their alcohol use. That’s a key takeaway from a new federally funded study conducted by researchers affiliated with Colorado State University, the University of Colorado Boulder and the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus.
According to Aaron Houston, reporting for Marijuana Moment, the study found that “for some individuals who drink heavily, cannabis may serve as a substitute for alcohol,” adding that “craving reduction is a potential mechanism through which this could occur.”
The authors of the study contend that theirs is the “first study to test effects of legal-market cannabis on alcohol intake.”
Houston writes that the research team found that, on average, participants drank about 25 percent fewer alcoholic beverages after using cannabis compared to when alcohol was consumed alone. Noting the importance of the finding, they wrote that marijuana “continues to rank as the most widely used substance among people who drink alcohol.”
For the clinical trial, writes Houston, scientists recruited 61 heavy drinkers who also use cannabis several times a week. Each participant completed two sessions in a mobile laboratory parked outside their homes. This was a workaround to federal restrictions on handling legal marijuana in campus labs.
In one lab, participants consumed just alcohol. In the other lab, they first used their own legal-market cannabis before drinking. In both sessions, participants received a standard “priming” drink and then had the opportunity to consume up to four more.
When the researchers broke down the participants’ responses, they found that 23 participants, called “substituters,” drank significantly less after cannabis use. They also reported a consistent drop in alcohol craving. Another 23 “non-substituters” drank the same amount or more, showing little change in craving. Fifteen abstained from drinking altogether during both sessions.
Wrote the research team when describing the study, “Findings from this novel human laboratory study provide initial support for the idea that legal-market cannabis can serve as substitute for alcohol among some individuals who engage in heavy drinking.” They added that “cannabis self-administration was associated with a significant reduction in number of drinks” participants consumed.”
While the authors felt the results were promising they also warned about limitations to the study’s parameters. They noted that marijuana was always consumed before alcohol, meaning the reverse order was not tested.
Also, the mobile lab, while an innovative way to avoid threatening federal funds for the universities, may not mimic real-world drinking settings. In addition, they also noted that the sample was not broadly representative, since it consisted mostly of white and male subjects.
Aaron Houston does a first-rate job of describing both this study and several other recent investigations of the same topic. You can learn much more by reading his article in the September 8, 2025 issue of Marijuana Moment.net.
https://www.marijuanamoment.net/marijuana-may-help-heavy-drinkers-cut-back-on-alcohol-new-federally-funded-study-finds/
Cannabis and Public Policy
There is more evidence that the path to legalizing cannabis is not a one-way street. TG Branfalt, in a story for Ganjapreneur, reports that the Massachusetts attorney general has approved a ballot initiative that would repeal the state’s adult-use cannabis law. His ruling gives supporters of the initiative the go-ahead to begin collecting signatures.
According to Branfalt,the proposal comes in the form of two proposed laws, which are both titled “An Act to Restore a Sensible Marijuana Policy,” and would end retail cannabis sales and the right by adults to cultivate cannabis at home.
Branfalt notes that since the initiative supports a proposed law, rather than constitutional amendment, proponents must now gather and file with the Secretary of the Commonwealth the signatures of 74,574 registered voters by December 3, 2025.
Once the signatures are verified, the proposal will be sent to the lawmakers in January 2026 for its consideration on or before the first Wednesday of May 2026. If the Legislature does not enact a proposal, proponents must gather 12,429 additional signatures from registered voters by July 1, 2026, to place the proposed law on the November 2026 ballot.
The proposals stop short of proposing complete prohibition. Both proposals would decriminalize possession of more than one ounce but less than two ounces, and a violation of the law would be a civil offense with a $100 fine. Adults would still be able to “gift” cannabis to each other.
Branfalt also reports that while medical cannabis would remain legal under the proposals, “version A” would outlaw flower with THC concentration higher than 30 percent, concentrates with potency greater than 60 percent, and edibles with more than 5 milligrams of THC per serving. Version B, he writes, would task the Cannabis Control Commission and the state health department with ensuring “that the production and distribution of medical use marijuana is effectively regulated,” but does not outline product potency limits.
The great American philosopher Lawrence Peter Berra once opined that things are not over until they are over. Clearly, his observation applies to public policy in general and cannabis policy in particular—something cannabis advocates need to keep top of mind.
More news as more news develops.
As always, TG Branfalt’s reporting is clear and concise. You can learn more by reading his article in the September 8, 2025 issue of Ganjapreneur.com.
https://ganjapreneur.com/massachusetts-ag-approves-ballot-petition-to-repeal-adult-use-cannabis-law/
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.