Welcome to Senior Cannabis Digest. This week we look at a new twist on the “stoner” stereotype, the dangers of copycat edibles, Washington-style dirty tricks and the cannabis industry and more. Enjoy.
Edibles and Consumer Safety
Shoppers who patronize budget-friendly grocery chains are most likely familiar with products that are packaged to resemble more popular brands. Unfortunately, that practice has started to appear in the cannabis sector as well and those products can present a threat to unsuspecting consumers and their families.
That’s the word from Kyle Jaeger, writing for Marijuana Moment. Jaeger reports that a number of major food and beverage companies have asked Congress to take steps to prevent the growth of marijuana-infused copycat products, the packaging of which mimics more well-known brands.
According to Jaeger, the Consumer Brands Association has told congressional lawmakers that misleading packaging of cannabis products that is modeled after popular commercial products poses a public safety risk, particularly for children.
The Association is proposing a change to an anti-counterfeit bill that would make it possible to penalize companies that sell products with “famous” advertising marks that don’t necessarily meet the definition of “counterfeit.”
Jaeger notes that while federally funded studies have found that adolescent cannabis use has remained stable or even declined in states that have legalized and regulated marijuana, most cannabis advocates would agree that precautions should be taken to ensure that young people don’t mistakenly consume cannabis.
In plain language, there are some knuckleheads out there who think it’s cute to package edibles in a way that resembles snacks, cereals and cookies that are popular with children.
The good news is that it’s not likely that such products will turn up next to the Wheat Pops at your local Shop & Go. The bad news is that once cannabis products in deceptive packaging are available, even at a dispensary or online, it increases the likelihood they will, at some point, fall into the wrong hands—and that’s not cute or funny.
To learn more, we suggest you read Kyle Jaeger’s article in the April 28, 2022 issue of Marijuana Moment.
You can also read the press release on the issue from the Consumer Brands Association. Simply click on the link that follows.
Cannabis Corner
So if you are still afraid that using cannabis will turn you into an unmotivated couch potato and you’ll spend your days scarfing down donuts while binge watching reruns of Gilligan’s Island, it turns out that’s probably not the case.
So says Chris Roberts, writing for Forbes.com. According to Roberts, recent research suggests that the “lazy stoner” stereotype is far from accurate. In fact, just the opposite may be true.
He points to a study of 2,092 U.S. adults recently published in the Harm Reduction Journal that found that frequent and light cannabis users reported more physical activity than non users.
He also noted an earlier study conducted by the University of Colorado that surveyed 600 adult marijuana users in California, Colorado, Nevada, Oregon and Washington. In that study 82 percent of the subjects reported using cannabis within one hour before or up to four hours after exercising. Of that 82 percent, 70 percent said cannabis made exercise more enjoyable, 78 percent said it helped with recovery after exercising, and 52 percent said it increased their motivation to exercise.
Commenting on the findings of a third study conducted by the University of California, San Diego’s Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Longevity Science that looked at responses to the 2005-2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, Roberts suggested that that if someone is inactive, for whatever reason, the inactivity isn’t caused by cannabis.
To learn more about the studies, we suggest reading the article by Chris Roberts in the April 30, 2021 issue of Forbes.com.
Special thanks to Miriam Doefield for sending the article our way.
CBD Spotlight
Even mature consumers who are familiar with the benefits attributed to the cannabinoid known as CBD may be surprised to find there are other chemical compounds related to CBD that are finding their way into a variety of wellness products.
To help, Nanci Chi-Town, writing for Cannabis.net, has prepared a guide that describes the attributes and potential benefits of two of these compounds—CBDa and CBGa.
According to Chi-town, CBDa is the raw form of CBD. It is one of the most abundant cannabinoids, found in the stalks, stems, leaves, seeds and flowers of the cannabis plant and is present in hemp seed oil. Since it is particularly sensitive to heat, light, and oxygen it is advised to store it in opaque, sealed containers at room temperature.
Like its derivative, CBD, it is thought to have the capacity to inhibit inflammation on several levels, resulting in a powerful overall anti-inflammatory impact which may be an aid in the treatment of a range of chronic health disorders.
There is also some suggestion that when used along with CBD, it may boost access to serotonin which, in turn might help with anxiety, sadness, and other problems connected to serotonin function, such as nausea and vomiting.
CBGa is a derivative of CBG, another non-intoxicating cannabinoid. Some contend it interacts with the specific endocannabinoid receptors in the body that are thought to play an active role in regulating behaviors such as mood, hunger, and pain response.
There are researchers believe it holds some promise in the treatment of conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), metabolic disorders and cardiovascular disease.
Promise is the key word here, since even most advocates and researchers would agree more actual research is needed on its effectiveness.
To learn more about CBDa and CBGa, we urge you to read Nanci Chi-Town’s detailed article which was posted on May 1, 2022 on the website Cannabis.net.
cannabis.net/blog/medical/cbd-vs-cbda-and-cbga-whats-the-difference
Legal Matters
The landscape is littered with former elected officials who, once they leave office, suddenly have a ‘come to cannabis moment’ in which they suddenly see the potential benefits of legalization. Case in point—a former Speaker of the House who was better known for his appreciation of a nice merlot than for supporting anything to do with marijuana.
But, like the song says, “what a difference a day makes.” According to Lydia Moynihan, reporting for the New York Post, former Speaker John Boehner, who opposed cannabis while in office, signed an agreement in March 2018 to become co-chair of the 10 Campaign — a cannabis legalization group that takes its name from the 10th Amendment of the US Constitution, which establishes states’ rights.
However, according to a lawsuit recently filed by 10 Campaign Co-Founder James Pericola, in February 2019, Boehner announced he was launching a new group called the National Cannabis Roundtable, and that he had enlisted Kathleen Sebelius, the former Health and Human Services secretary, as a co-chair of the group. Boehner also recruited the Washington-based law firm Squire Patton Boggs, where he is a partner, to serve as a strategic adviser on the project—all while leaving Pericola and his group in his wake.
What Boehner failed to mention at that point, according to the lawsuit, is that he had hijacked what Moynihan describes as “conservative-friendly talking points” from Pericola’s group, such as arguing that marijuana can help veterans with physical pain and PTSD, ease the opioid epidemic and treat epilepsy, aid criminal justice reform, and increase tax revenue, as well as polling data that showed most Americans favored legalizing cannabis.
The suit also contends that since his conversion Boehner has gone on to live the “high life”—he is now on the board of cannabis company Acreage Holdings—raking in millions of dollars in fees and leaving Pericola and his organization holding what might be described as nothing but stems and seeds.
Cannabis and high stakes Washington shenanigans—so happy together.
To learn much more we recommend you read Lydia Moynihan’s insightful reporting in the May 2, 2022 issue of the New York Post.
nypost.com/2022/05/02/boehner-accused-of-stealing-data-from-marijuana-lobbyist/
New Product News and Notes
A well-known cannabis company has launched a line of products said to provide “targeted wellness benefits without the psychoactive effects of THC.”
That’s the word from Vuk Zdinjak, writing for Benzinga. He reports Curaleaf Holdings, Inc. has announced the expansion of Select’s CBD line with the launch of Select CBD Bites. The product line is available across the U.S. both in-store and online
According to Zdinjak, Select CBD Bites are formulated with natural ingredients and cannabinoids such as CBN, CBG and CBD to target three specific areas of focus: sleep, restoration and recovery. Each bite contains 25mg of cannabinoids derived from U.S. grown hemp that is third-party lab tested for purity and consistency.
The product line includes:
—Select Snooze Bites (Blackberry) are infused with a 1:1 ratio of CBD and CBN, a cannabinoid known for its relaxing and sedative qualities.
—Select Recover Bites (Watermelon) are infused with a 1:1 ratio of CBD and CBG, a cannabinoid known for its restorative qualities.
—Select Chill Bites (Mango) are infused with CBD, one of the best-known non-psychoactive cannabinoids on the market recognized for its soothing qualities.
Said Joe Bayern, CEO of Curaleaf US, “Select CBD Bites reflect our mission to bring high quality and approachable products to consumers at every stage of their cannabis journeys, and we are thrilled to introduce these offerings to a national audience.”
To learn more, we encourage you to read Vuk Zdinjak‘s excellent reporting. It appears in the May 2, 2022 issue of Benzinga.com.
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.
