Welcome to Senior Cannabis Digest. This week we have a cautionary tale about investment scams, a look at artificial intelligence in the cannabis sector, a study of cannabis use and cognitive decline and more. Enjoy.
Investment News and Notes
When it comes to investing, the cannabis sector is not immune to fraud and scam artists. Case in point: A California man recently pleaded guilty to hemp industry fraud that cost investors more than $18 million.
That’s the word from TG Branfalt, reporting for Ganjapreneur.com. According to Branfalt, in his scheme, 69 year-old Mark Roy Anderson claimed to own property, machinery, and equipment for hemp cultivation and processing. From 2021 to 2023, Anderson also solicited funds for two fake CBD companies.
In their indictment, federal prosecutors said Anderson used the money he collected from investors to buy a $1.3 million property in Ojai and another $2.3 million on personal expenses, including more than $650,000 for vintage and luxury automobiles, $13,000 for chartered private jet flights, and $142,000 for other high-end merchandise.
In his article, Branfalt noted that Anderson has a history of scams dating back to 1988 when he convinced an individual to pay him $400,000 for a stake in a Beverly Hills office building that he didn’t own. He scammed another individual out of $175,000 for an interest in a La Jolla building that he didn’t own. For those, and other financial crimes, Anderson pleaded guilty to grand theft and other charges and was sentenced to four years in prison.
Wait, there’s more. In the 1980s, Anderson also ran a Ponzi-style scheme to cheat investors in a scam where he claimed he was restoring historic buildings around the country and was ultimately sentenced to seven more years in prison for those crimes.
As part of his plea deal, Anderson must forfeit 15 cars and real estate in Ojai. He also faces a maximum of 20 years in federal prison for each fraud count. Anderson is expected to be sentenced in August.
Mature consumers and others interested in investing in the cannabis sector need to do their homework, just as they would if they were about to invest in a fund specializing in widgets, gadgets and gizmos.
You can learn more by reading TG Branfalt’s clear and concise reporting in the April 8, 2024 issue of Ganjapreneur.com.
Artificial Intelligence and the Cannabis Sector
A growing number of businesses are turning to Artificial Intelligence (AI) to increase productivity and enhance customer service—and the cannabis sector is no exception.
Recently, Lydia Kariuki penned an article for the publication My Cannabis on the ways Artificial Intelligence is being used to transform the cannabis industry.
Here are three of her observations:
• Kariuki contends that AI is revolutionizing cannabis cultivation by enabling more precision in farming techniques. This includes smart sensors and AI-powered systems that can monitor environmental conditions and adjust variables such as temperature, humidity, and light to optimize plant growth. All of this can make for enhanced yields and a more consistent quality of cannabis products.
• She also reports that AI is already playing a pivotal role in the development of new cannabis strains. She writes that by analyzing genetic data and consumer preferences, AI algorithms can predict the potential characteristics of a strain. This targeted approach makes it possible for breeders to create cannabis varieties tailored to specific medicinal or recreational needs.
• Kariuki also thinks AI is reshaping the way consumers interact with cannabis products. By data analysis of individual preferences, purchasing history, and even physiological responses, AI-driven platforms can recommend personalized product suggestions. This can be used to create products that can deliver a more tailored and enjoyable experience for consumers.
You can learn much more by reading Lydia Kariuki ‘s article about artificial intelligence and the cannabis sector in the March 4, 2024 issue of My Cannabis.com. Excellent work.
www.mycannabis.com/7-ways-ai-will-transform-the-cannabis-industry/
Observing 4/20
Civic leaders in our nation’s capital have come up with a unique prescription for observing the holiday that celebrates all things related to cannabis.
Ben Adlin, reporting for Marijuana Moment, writes that the Council of the District of Columbia has approved legislation to suspend taxes on medical marijuana around the 4/20 cannabis celebration, declaring a tax holiday on purchases from April 15 through April 28.
Said Council Member Kenyan McDuffie (I), who introduced the measure on behalf of Mayor Muriel Bowser (D), “The popular tax holiday is critical to the District’s effort to attract qualifying patients back to the legal market as well as sustainable and viable {sic} medical cannabis program.”
The District Council approved the tax holiday unanimously on a voice vote, also taking action on a number of other cannabis-related proposals, such as a proposed dispensary buffer zone around schools in commercial and industrial zones.
According to a letter from the Mayor to the Council, in addition to encouraging patients to stay within D.C.’s regulated medical marijuana system, the tax holiday bill is also intended to support the medical marijuana industry.
To learn more, we suggest reading Ben Adlin’s article in the April 3, 2024 issue of Marijuana Moment.net.
www.marijuanamoment.net/washington-d-c-council-approves-4-20-medical-marijuana-tax-holiday/?
Cannabis and Dementia
A new study suggests that recreational cannabis use may be associated with a significant decrease in the odds of experiencing subjective cognitive decline (SCD) in adults over 45.
So says Norman Akbar in an article written for Neuroscience News. He reports that the study, conducted by Zhi Chen, MPH and Professor Roger Wong, Ph.D., MPH, MSW—a pair of researchers at the State University of New York Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, New York—analyzed a large data set from the CDC and found that compared to non-users, non-medical cannabis use, such as for recreational purposes, was significantly associated with 96 percent decreased odds of subjective cognitive decline (SCD).
It should be emphasized that this finding is not based on experimental research. Rather it is based on an analysis of a very large set of existing health records. Still, it does offer a potential direction for additional research.
Said Wong, assistant professor in the Department of Public Health & Preventive Medicine, “The main takeaway is that cannabis might be protective for our cognition, but it is really crucial to have longitudinal studies because this is just a snapshot of 2021.”
He added, “We do not know if non-medical cannabis leads to better cognition or the other way around if those with better cognition are more likely to use non-medical cannabis.”
According to Akbar, the authors did note some limitations with the study, which was published in the journal Current Alzheimer Research, including the inability to consider state-by-state cannabis regulations; thus, potential selection bias could arise if the population of certain states is either over or underrepresented due to varying measures of cannabis use.
However, they stated that one of the strengths of the study was using a national data set, which, they believe, increases the generalizability of the findings. Wong also speculated the difference in protection between medical and non-medical might come down to the compounds that make up cannabis. Medical-grade cannabis has higher concentrations of CBD whereas non-medical cannabis tends to have higher concentrations of THC.
Both Chen and Wong contend longitudinal studies are needed to see if non-medical cannabis use is protecting the consumer’s cognition over time. They added that research is hindered since cannabis remains illegal federally.
You can learn more by reading Norman Akbar’s article in the April 9, 2024 issue of Neuroscience News.com.
neurosciencenews.com/cannabis-dementia-neurology-25884/
To read an abstract of the study, simply click on the following link.
“Association Between Cannabis Use and Subjective Cognitive Decline: Findings from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS)” by Zhi Chen et al Current Alzheimer’s Research.
Cannabis Quote of the Week
“The rise in THC strength found in cannabis products has spurred debates over use guidelines, safety, and effectiveness. Excessive potency raises concerns about potential negative consequences, especially for inexperienced users or those prone to cannabis-related disorders, even while it may appeal to those customers seeking extreme euphoric experiences or substantial medicinal advantages. Public health experts and regulatory bodies also struggle to strike a balance between protecting consumer access, guaranteeing product safety, and minimizing possible risks related to high THC levels. To address these issues and provide consumers the capacity to make responsible decisions, education programs that support harm reduction techniques and informed consumption habits are crucial. In the end, identifying high THC concentration necessitates a thorough comprehension of its effects on specific users as well as larger public health and legal systems.”— Joseph Billions
Mr. Billions’s comment is taken from an article he wrote for Cannabis.net. In it he paints a picture of a regulatory landscape that differs from state to state as does the definition of what constitutes “high THC content.”
What makes his observations noteworthy is that he proposes a nuanced approach to discussing a topic that has become a talking point for many critics of legalization. Namely, the dangers posed by the availability of cannabis with “high THC content.”
Billions acknowledges that while historically THC concentrations above 20 percent have been indicative of “high potency,” discrepancies arise due to differing viewpoints among specialists and regulatory bodies, compounded by factors such as cultivation advancements and ingestion methods.
He contends that understanding high THC potency extends beyond numerical thresholds and should include factors such as individual tolerance levels, intended effects, and consumption preferences.
He also makes the point that novice users are potentially more susceptible to even modest THC levels while experienced users may seek higher concentrations for pronounced effects. The mode of ingestion further complicates potency assessment.
Said Billions, “THC regulations are inconsistent, which presents a problem for industry participants as well as consumers. Consumers may find it difficult to understand the wide range of THC potency standards, particularly if they travel between states or buy products from different markets.”
To learn much more, we urge you to read the article by Joseph Billions that appeared in the April 7, 2024 issue of Cannabis.net.
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.
