Welcome to Senior Cannabis Digest. This week we have comments from Dr. Sanjay Gupta on cannabis and older adults, using cannabis to treat migraines, a close look at “the munchies” and more. Enjoy.
Cannabis Quote of the Week
“Prior to filming our first documentary on cannabis a decade ago, I was highly skeptical about its use as a medicine. I had even written a story for Time magazine a few years earlier to make the case that the evidence simply wasn’t there.
But, as so often happens when we start to dig into things, a different picture started to emerge. I traveled the world, visited tiny labs and, most important, spent time with patients — even young children — who changed my mind. I came to the realization that in some cases, not only did cannabis provide relief, it was the only thing that did so.
Yes, there are real risks, as with most things. And of course, it’s not a panacea. Nothing is.
While it is not something that will work for everyone, that should not mean it isn’t available to anyone.” —Dr. Sanjay Gupta, neurosurgeon and chief medical correspondent for CNN.
Dr. Gupta’s comments are taken from an article he penned for CNN.com that covers many of the highlights from his special for CNN, “Weed 7: A Senior Moment” which appeared as part of the series “The Whole Story with Anderson Cooper.”
Dr. Gupta also noted how surprised he was to find that seniors — people over the age of 65 — are now the fastest growing group of cannabis users in the United States. Said Dr. Gupta, “Right now, we are witnessing a sort of “senior moment.” He added “More often than not, according to recent studies, seniors use cannabis daily to help address some of the nuisances of aging: poor sleep, aches and pains, mood. And they regularly prefer it over the other medications they were often prescribed, such as sleeping pills, antidepressants and even opioids.”
During the course of the article he recounts his conversations with a 91 year-old man named Ken who had never used cannabis but turned to it to address his insomnia and the anxiety that accompanied it.
Wrote Dr. Gupta, “The story turned out well for Ken. With cannabis, not only did his sleep improve for the first time, but his existential anxiety was also quieted. For Ken, cannabis was far more than a sleep supplement. Again, it’s not to say everyone will have such a profound response, but for Ken, it was the only thing that really worked.”
If you weren’t able to view the broadcast of the program, ““Weed 7: A Senior Moment”, we urge you to read Dr. Gupta’s insightful and revealing article. Like all of his work, it’s first rate.
www.cnn.com/2023/08/06/health/weed-cannabis-seniors-sanjay-gupta/index.html
According to a post on the CNN website, “Weed 7: A Senior Moment” will be available on demand beginning Monday, August 7, 2023 to pay TV subscribers via CNN.com, CNN apps, and Cable Operator Platforms. Past episodes of The Whole Story are available to stream now on Max.
The Whole Story is also available as a CNN Audio showcast. Visit CNN.com/audio or listen wherever you get your podcasts.
The Future is Now—Sort Of
The implementation of a new law in Colorado may be of particular interest to mature consumers and others who find it difficult to get down to their favorite dispensary. It may also be an indication of where cannabis sales in other states will be headed in the near future, particularly when it comes to offering customers more convenience.
According to Kyle Jaeger, reporting for Marijuana Moment, consumers in Colorado can now legally order and purchase cannabis online.
Jaeger notes that adults 21 and older will still need to physically pick up the marijuana products from the retailer, but they can browse and electronically purchase cannabis online ahead of visiting the store.
The new law requires retailers to verify the name and age of the customer at the time of the online purchase and that information will have to match the identification that they present when they come to pick up the products.
Jaeger also points out that the retailer will have to provide shoppers with “digital versions of all warning or educational materials that the retail marijuana store is required to post and provide on its licensed premises” and the customer will have to “acknowledge receipt” of those materials before finishing their purchase.
It’s likely, however, there will be a bump or two in the road that need to be addressed as the law is being implemented. For example, when the law was originally passed it was assumed that consumers would use a debit card or credit card to pay for their online purchase. What’s not clear from Mr. Jaeger’s article and other sources we’ve looked at is how Mastercard’s recent decision to not work with cannabis retailers will affect the implementation of this service.
Stay tuned.
To learn more, we suggest reading the article by the always clear and concise Kyle Jaeger in the August 7, 2023 issue of Marijuana Moment.net.
www.marijuanamoment.net/colorado-law-allowing-online-marijuana-sales-officially-takes-effect/
Mitigating Migraines
There may be hopeful news for mature consumers and others who suffer from migraine headaches. A new study suggests cannabis and cannabinoid therapies (CCT) may be useful when it comes to managing the pain and discomfort associated with migraines and other serious headache disorders.
Experts describe a migraine as a headache that can cause severe throbbing pain or a pulsing sensation, usually on one side of the head. It’s often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light and sound. Migraine attacks can last for hours to days, and the pain can be so bad that it interferes with your daily activities.
The study team, comprised of researchers from the Department of Diagnostic Sciences at Tufts University, the Department of Psychiatry at Yale School of Medicine, the Department of Neurology at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and several other institutions, reported that there is evidence from preliminary studies that cannabis and cannabinoid therapies may assist in the management of migraines when used as part of a broader treatment plan, particularly when used for the treatment individuals who do not respond to other forms of treatment alone or find the experience of a migraine particularly debilitating.
The study, which consisted of a literature review, was intended to provide information which can help people with migraines—and the clinicians who care for them—make mutual, well-informed decisions on the use of cannabis and cannabinoid therapies for migraines based on the existing data.
The researchers stated that further studies are warranted to specify appropriate type of cannabis medication, dosage, and indication(s) of when the use of cannabis medication is most appropriate.
To be clear, we are not suggesting that individuals who experience migraines should self-medicate with cannabis. We are suggesting, however, that those who have migraine headaches may benefit from talking to their physician about adding cannabis-based medicine to their treatment plan.
The article describing the study and the information it gleaned appeared in the online edition of the July 29, 2023 issue of the journal Current Pain and Headache Reports. To read a summary of the study, simply click on the link that follows.
link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11916-023-01144-z
Cannabis Corner
The more that researchers learn about cannabis the more it becomes clear that all cannabis is not the same—particularly when it comes to that part of the cannabis experience known as “the munchies.”
According to Sarah Johns, reporting for the online publication The Fresh Toast, “The munchies are defined as intense hunger, particularly for sweet and savory treats, after you use cannabis.”
While some see the munchies as an adverse side effect of a night on the town with like minded friends, Johns notes that there are others who actually use cannabis with the goal of stimulating their appetite. This can be particularly true for patients who use medical marijuana to address a loss of appetite brought on by taking medications such as antibiotics, antidepressants, chemotherapy, immunotherapy or opioids and other pain medications.
Johns makes the point that cannabis has been used as an appetite stimulant for thousands of years. The earliest record of using cannabis to treat appetite loss, she says, comes from 300 A.D. in India and this practice continues today in modern folk medicine traditions throughout Asia. For example, Johns reports that in Thailand cannabis is still frequently used to stimulate the appetite of sick people and then induce sleep—something many cannabis consumers in the West can relate to.
As mature consumers and others increasingly seek out particular strains of cannabis in order to achieve specific results, such as reduced pain or better sleep, it should be noted that not all cannabis will increase appetite to the same degree. A lot, it seems, depends on the cannabinoids the strain contains.
For example, while THC is the cannabinoid that’s most often associated with an increase in appetite, some strains with high CBD and THCV content may actually reduce hunger.
In her article, Johns writes that animal studies have shown that another less well-known cannabinoid, called cannabigerol (CBG), may also stimulate appetite, plus this cannabinoid doesn’t have the same intoxicating effect as THC. That’s made it particularly interesting to researchers looking for a way to stimulate appetite without the intoxication associated with THC.
Another factor, she says, may have to do with how an individual consumes cannabis. For instance, she cites a study that indicated inhaled cannabis can increase levels of hormones which make a person hungry.
The possibility also exists that if you can’t rid yourself of “the munchies” when consuming cannabis, a little bit of planning may help to eliminate the morning-after sense of shame that can result from an evening of binging on burritos and Krusty Burgers. Try keeping some fruit in the fridge instead.
To learn more about “the munchies” we urge you to read the informative and entertaining article by Sarah Johns that appears in the July 31,2023 issue of The Fresh Toast.com.
thefreshtoast.com/cannabis/why-does-some-marijuana-give-you-the-munchies/
Wu-Tang Redux
In an update to a story we covered a while ago, it now looks like mature consumers who are Hip Hop fans may soon be able to “Enter the Wu-Tang” after all.
According to TG Branfalt, reporting for Ganjapreneur, Hashtoria — the cannabis company co-founded by Wu-Tang Clan member Raekwon — received approval from Newark, New Jersey officials to renovate a historic downtown building to create a cannabis consumption lounge.
Branfalt reports that Newark, New Jersey’s Central Planning Board approved plans by architect Rachael Grochowski and Hashstoria to renovate a historical building in the city—the former home of engineering firm A.R. Meeker & Co and Stoutenburgh & Co. Newark Clothiers—which will serve as the site of the lounge.
Said Grochowski, “Design plays a crucial role in elevating the overall cannabis experience, and we are committed to creating an environment that offers a sophisticated, inclusive, and enjoyable experience. The cannabis industry is undergoing a remarkable transformation, driven by the vision and creativity of innovative designers and creatives, leaders from across the industry who are revolutionizing cannabis consumption. We are so excited to craft a space that harmonizes aesthetics, functionality, and sensory engagement, ultimately enhancing the journey of both seasoned cannabis enthusiasts and the cannabis-curious alike.”
Branfalt noted that Hashstoria, which was co-founded by Raekwon of the Wu-Tang Clan, civil rights attorney Bakari Sellers, and radio, tv personality, and mental health advocate Charlamagne tha God, currently has locations in Astoria, Gladstone, and Springfield, Oregon.
Consumers, however, may not want to make plans to visit Newark just yet. In his article, Branfalt also makes the point that New Jersey, which has passed a law allowing consumption lounges, has yet to develop regulations or issue licenses for lounges.
More news as more news develops—and just for the record, Hip Hop turned 50 this year.
To learn more, we suggest reading TG Branfalt’s excellent reporting in the August 4, 2023 issue of Ganjapreneur.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.
