Those who hold a government security clearance may want to rethink investing in individual cannabis stocks, at least until the smoke clears. That’s because there are conflicting opinions about whether or not investing in such stocks can be a reason to lose that clearance.
There is, however, at least one expert in the field who thinks cannabis stocks are a must to avoid if an individual needs a security clearance to perform their job. It should be noted this advice has nothing to do with using marijuana. Rather, it is a warning about simply investing in cannabis companies.
Attorney Anthony Kuhn told Leslie Albrecht, reporting for MarketWatch, that while there is no formal Pentagon policy prohibiting marijuana investments, he would advise clients against it. Said Kuhn, “If you are purposely seeking out marijuana stocks and intentionally investing in what the federal government sees as an illegal drug, you run the risk of losing your clearance.” Kuhn chairs the national security practice group at the law firm Tully Rinckey. He also offered the opinion that merely owning shares in an index fund that included cannabis companies would not represent much of a threat to someone’s security clearance.
In the same article, Timothy Maimone, a union officer with American Federation of Government Employees Council 170 told Albrecht of a case where a Department of Defense employee who listed his marijuana-related investments on a financial disclosure form was told to get rid of the shares because he was “violating the public trust” by owning stock in the marijuana company.
You can learn more by reading Leslie Albrecht’s detailed article in the April 20, 2019 issue of MarketWatch
Senior Celebrity Spotlight
A newsman considered by many to be the voice of his generation—Tom Brokaw—recently revealed he has been battling multiple myeloma and that medical marijuana has been part of his pain management program.
Brokaw reports he was diagnosed with the disease in 2013. While it is now under control, treatments and surgical procedures left him in lasting pain. He subsequently turned to medical marijuana to manage that pain. The 79-year old reporter and anchor man is a resident of Florida, one of the states where medical marijuana is legal.
According to Lauren Stussey, who covered the story in the March 26, 2019 issue of the New York Post, experts say Brokaw’s usage is consistent with that of a growing number of cancer patients who use the substance—particularly the form that is higher in THC—for pain symptoms.
Retail Revolution In CBDs
Convenience is soon to be king for seniors who wish to purchase CBD enhanced products. That’s because two of the largest drugstore chains in the U.S. have announced they will begin to sell CBD products in some stores.
Walgreens has announced it will soon sell CBD creams, patches and sprays in nearly 1,500 stores in Oregon, Colorado, New Mexico, Kentucky, Tennessee, Vermont, South Carolina, Illinois and Indiana. Walgreens spokesman Brian Faith said the decision to offer these products is in line with the company’s efforts to provide a wider range of accessible health and wellbeing products and services that meet the needs and preferences of its customers.
Rival drugstore chain CVS —the largest drugstore chain by total sales in the U.S.—has also announced it is introducing CBD-containing topicals, including creams and salves, in stores in eight states. Some say selling CBD-infused beauty and skin-care products brings far less risk from a regulatory perspective, making it an obvious first step for retailers.
The chains are bullish on the products despite an ongoing debate about the efficacy of CBDs, one of more than 100 compounds found in cannabis, and the fact the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is about to begin open hearings on whether or not to approve dietary supplements that include CBDs. Topical preparations that include CBDs do not need FDA approval. More information is available in Angelica LaVito’s article in the March 27, 2019 edition of CNBC.com.
Confections and Cannabis
Seniors who still enjoy jelly beans as an occasional sweet treat may soon find they come with an unexpected ingredient. The founder of the Jelly Belly line of jelly beans, David Klein, has launched a CBD-infused jelly bean brand called Spectrum Confections.
Klein sold the Jelly Belly company in 1980. His new company makes CBD-infused jelly beans in 38 flavors, many of which are similar to Jelly Belly flavors. Spectrum Confections also offers sugar-free and sour jelly beans with 10 mg of CBD in each bean. It’s said the product has become so popular that the company’s website is currently completely sold out. To learn more visit the website at spectrumconfections.com.
Treating Muscle Inflammation With CBDs
Older Americans looking for a way to relieve muscle soreness and inflamation, particularly after a workout, may want to consider using CBDs. According to an article in March 14, 2019 issue of Men’s Health, a 2018 review of 132 original studies published in Frontiers in Neurology, CBD can indeed reduce inflammation in the body and help improve pain and mobility in patients with multiple sclerosis.
The review study’s authors described CBD as “anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, antiemetic, antipsychotic, and neuroprotective.”
When it comes to finding the right dose, the article reports that one rule of thumb is 1 to 6 milligrams of CBD for every 10 pounds of body weight based on pain levels. Another is to start with 5 to 10mg per day and increase by 5 to 10mg until you feel relief. The article’s author, Stacey Leasca acknowledges this trial and error approach may not be perfect, but it may help a person find a starting point.
You can learn more in Leasca’s article in the March 14, 2019 edition of Men’s Health.
Cannabis Trends
The substance thought by many to be the next big trend in cannabis is neither THC or CBDs—we’re talking terpenes. Writing in Forbes, David Carpenter says the next cannabis compound that’s about to have a commercial breakout is the terpene. Terpenes are the essential oils found in the cannabis plant. While terpenes are found in other plants as well, terpenes specific to the cannabis plant give marijuana its distinctive aroma and flavor qualities.
There is also some indication they can provide a number of therapeutic effects as well. According to Carpenter cannabis terpenes such as linalool—which is also present in lavender—and pinene have been used to promote sleep and fight inflammation. He also acknowledges there are studies by the National Institutes of Health that indicate those two terpenes can produce an antidepressant-like effect.
Carpenter also discusses a wide range of commercial applications that are using terpenes in much the same way CBDs are used. He gives the example of a company called Tru Terpenes that was hired to provide guests at Kim Kardashian’s baby shower —for West— with terpene infused teas. The company also produces terpene infused lotions, make-up, chocolates and candles.
Carpenter’s article, “CBD May Be All The Rage, But Cannabis Terpenes Are About To Hit Big” appears in the May 28, 2019 online issue of Forbes.
Senior Cannabis Digest is compiled and edited by Joe Kohut and John Kohut. You can reach them at seniorcannabisdigest@gmail.com or by calling 347-528-8753.