Welcome to Senior Cannabis Digest. This week we look at what rescheduling cannabis could mean for investors, using AI to develop new cannabis strains, managing high blood pressure with CBD and much more.
Investor News and Notes
Top Takeaway: Rescheduling cannabis can be good news for those who invest in the cannabis sector.
The old adage that “those who know don’t talk and those who talk don’t know,” could certainly be applied to the current round of speculation on whether or not President Trump will use an Executive Order to reschedule cannabis from a schedule one designation to the less restrictive status of schedule three.
There has even been a repot that the order could include a provision that would allow Medicare insurance coverage for certain CBD treatments.
Some say the rescheduling could take place this week, and perhaps be part of the President’s address to the nation.
Fortunately, Chris Roberts has reported on the least speculative aspect of the rescheduling process — what it means for businesses and investors.
According to Roberts, in an article for MJBizDaily, reclassifying cannabis as a Schedule 3 drug, down from Schedule 1 of the Controlled Substances Act, promises tax relief for plant-touching marijuana businesses.
Roberts notes that Internal Revenue Code Section 280E, which forbids most typical business expense deductions on federal returns, applies only to sellers of Schedule 1 and Schedule 2 drugs.
Jason DeLand, founder and chairman of dosist, a California-based cannabis wellness brand, told Roberts, “For plant-touching operators, that’s immediate margin and cash-flow relief. It’s the difference between survival and investment in people, R&D, retail experience, safety testing, and brand.”
Cannabis stocks, as one might expect, responded favorably to rumors of rescheduling. According to CNBC , Tilray Brands and Canopy Growth jumped more than 44 percent and 52 percent, respectively, in trading on December 12. Cannabis REIT/greenhouse operator Innovative Industrial Properties moved nearly 9 percent higher.
Still, Roberts is clear in his reporting that rescheduling would be but a first step, leaving a number of business-related issues, such as banking and interstate commerce matters, still unresolved.
For example, Terry Mendez, the CEO of Safe Harbor Financial, a major cannabis industry financial services provider told Roberts, “The core challenges around cannabis banking such as compliance burdens, cash dependency, and regulatory uncertainty would remain unchanged.”
He added, “The industry would still fall under the Bank Secrecy Act, with all its reporting and monitoring obligations intact. This moment is likely to invite broader interest from financial institutions, but without structural reform or updated guidance, many will remain cautious.”
Chris Roberts does a masterful job of bringing clarity to a complex policy issue that has a host of moving parts. If you want to get a handle on what rescheduling will mean for the cannabis sector, his article in the December 25, 2025 issue of MJBizDaily.com is an excellent place to start.
https://mjbizdaily.com/whats-next-for-cannabis-president-donald-trump-reschedules-marijuana/
AI and the Cannabis Sector
Top Takeaway: By using AI cannabis growers can reduce the time it takes to develop a new strain and bring it to market.
If you thought the cannabis sector would be immune to the impacts of Artificial Intelligence (AI), you may want to think again. A new study by researchers affiliated with the University of Saskatchewan and Renaissance Bioscience suggests cannabis growers may be able to design new strains and speed up the growing cycles of those strains by using artificial intelligence.
That’s the word from Aaron Houston who reported on the study, which was posted on the science site ResearchGate, for Marijuana Moment. According to Houston, researchers found that by feeding genetic markers, growth measurements, environmental data and chemical assays into AI models, breeders could simulate thousands of potential crosses and stimulate “speed breeding” through machine learning before ever planting a seed.
Houston makes the point that the breeding cycle it takes to develop a new strain of cannabis can typically take between six to eight years. The authors of the paper contend that by using AI they could cut a breeding cycle down to a fraction of that time while also improving consistency — a challenge familiar to commercial cannabis growers.
Wrote the authors of the study, “Machine learning (AI) allows for iterative simulations of breeding outcomes…while ensuring chemical consistency.”
They also pointed out that “the global cannabis industry demands high-quality, reproducible strains, creating the need for precision breeding technologies that reduce time-to-market while maximizing yield and potency,” — and, they argued, that’s where employing AI can make a difference.
The authors believe employing AI can give growers increased control over cannabinoid and terpene profiles while reducing breeding cycle times and resource requirements. This would constitute what they called a paradigm shift in strain development.
In his article, Houston also notes that techniques, such as genomic selection, regression analysis and deep learning are already used in major agricultural crops. When applied to cannabis, these tools can look for patterns linking genetic variants to chemical traits such as the proportion of THC or the presence of rare cannabinoids like CBG — valuable information that can benefit both growers and consumers.
Aaron Houston’s excellent reporting shines a light on an emerging aspect of the cannabis sector. To learn more, we urge you to read his article in the December 20, 2025 issue of Marijuana Moment.net.
CBD Spotlight
Top Takeaway: Using CBD may help in the management of high blood pressure.
A new study suggests that taking CBD, a non-intoxicating cannabinoid of the cannabis plant, may help patients manage high blood pressure.
According to the study, conducted by researchers affiliated with the University of Split in Split, Croatia, the primary aim of the trial was to explore the influence of chronic CBD use on 24 hour ambulatory blood pressure (BP) monitoring in hypertensive patients.
24h ambulatory BP is a test where a small, portable device worn for a full day automatically checks a subject’s blood pressure at regular intervals (e.g., every 20-30 mins) while the subject goes about their normal activities, including sleeping, to provide a more accurate picture of their blood pressure patterns. The test can help with diagnosis and assessing treatment effectiveness.
The trial was described as a triple-blind randomized crossover trial. A total of 70 patients with primary hypertension were included. Exclusion criteria included the presence of significant comorbidities, smoking (tobacco and CBD), pregnancy, and a BMI over 35 kg.
Patients were randomly assigned to receive either oral CBD or placebo-matched capsules for the period of 5 weeks. After a 2-week washout, patients were crossed over to alternate therapy (CBD or placebo). There were six visits in total which took place at the start, middle and end of each dosing period.
At each visit, blood samples were obtained from each patient, which allowed the reach team to monitor various biomarkers.
The study found that after 5 weeks of CBD use, 24h systolic and diastolic BP dropped for ~4 mmHg and ~3 mmHg, respectively. No such change was observed following a 5-week course of the placebo.
Blood pressure is measured in millimeters (mm) of mercury (Hg). This measure shows how high a subject’s blood pressure can move a column of mercury.
No significant adverse events were noted during the whole course of the study.
Based on their findings, the researchers concluded that consistent CBD use can lead to a reduction in blood pressure.
To read an abstract of the study, which was published in the November 2025 issue of the publication European Heart Journal, click on the link that follows.
https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/46/Supplement_1/ehaf784.3321/8309303
Cannabis News and Notes
Top Takeaway: Suicide rates among adults ages 45 and older declined in states where recreational cannabis dispensaries began operating.
A new study, written by Dr. Sara Markowitz of Emory University and Katie E. Leinenbach of Demand Side Analytics, suggests that suicide rates for older adults decline when they have access to legal cannabis. So says Aaron Houston in a story he penned for Marijuana Moment.
According to Houston, the aim of the research, published by the National Bureau of Economic Research, was to better understand whether easier access to marijuana, specifically through licensed retail stores, might have any measurable effect on mental health outcomes.
The researchers, wrote Houston, found that in states where recreational cannabis dispensaries began operating, suicide rates among adults ages 45 and older declined.
The outcome was strongest among men, who historically have had significantly higher suicide rates and are more likely to use cannabis to manage chronic pain, a health challenge that can increases the risk of suicide.
Wrote the researchers in their paper, “States that opened recreational marijuana dispensaries saw suicide rates decline among older adults, according to a new scientific analysis of more than two decades of nationwide data.”
The authors also noted, “The focus on pain as an underlying cause of suicide is under recognized in the literature and adds an important dimension to the policy discussion.”
Houston reported that the research team found no similar pattern among younger adults or in states that legalized recreational cannabis but had not yet opened retail stores. Also, they did not find evidence that cannabis availability increased suicides.
Aaron Houston’s reporting is clear and concise. You can learn more by reading his article in the December 12, 2025 issue of Marijuana Moment.net.
Careers in Cannabis
Top Takeaway: A new training program focuses on the skills employers in the cannabis sector are seeking.
There may be good news for older individuals who are looking for a second career in the cannabis sector. There’s a new community college training program designed to prepare individuals for a career in the cannabis industry by focusing on the skills and experience employers.are seeking.
According to George Stockburger, reporting for television station WHTM in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC) is launching a new “cannabis career” certificate program. The program, which has an online component, was developed in partnership with Green Flower, an organization described as a “leader in cannabis education.”
Stockburger reports that the training program offers what he describes as a “suite” of six options, including an associate certificate that “provides a comprehensive foundation in cannabis policy, plant science, industry sectors and compliance essentials,” all designed to give students the knowledge and vocabulary employers expect when hiring.
Additional training programs include cultivation specialist, retail and sales specialist, compliance, medical cannabis, and product development.
Said Leslie Boon, HACC’s executive dean of the School of Liberal Arts, “We’re proud to collaborate with Green Flower to deliver high-quality medical cannabis education to our students. These new certificate programs deliver the specific skills and industry knowledge that help those interested in Pennsylvania’s medical cannabis industry stand out and find jobs in this competitive, fast-growing field.”
Boone’s comments were echoed by Max Simon, CEO and founder of Green Flower, who said, “These new cannabis career certificates are built to match exactly what employers are hiring for in each sector of the cannabis industry.”
Stockburger notes that the initial training cycle begins January 13, 2026, with new dates offered every eight weeks. Those who don’t want to pursue this particular training opportunity may still want to review the program to gain an understanding of what a comprehensive, employment-ready training program should include.
To learn more, we suggest reading the article by George Stockburger that appeared in the December 15, 2025 issue of the WHAT website or visiting the HACC program description. Simply click on the links that follow. Special thanks to Gary Schaeffer for sending the story our way.
https://www.abc27.com/local-news/harrisburg/hacc-launching-cannabis-career-programs/?
https://hacc.cannabisstudiesonline.com/
Senior Cannabis Digest is compiled and edited by Joe Kohut and John Kohut. You can each them at joe.kohut@gmail.com and at 347-528-8753.