Welcome to Senior Cannabis Digest. This week we look at treating anxiety with cannabis, the health risks posed by printed rolling papers, managing pain with medical cannabis and more. Enjoy.
Medical Cannabis News and Notes
There may be reassuring news for those who use medical cannabis to manage anxiety. According to a new study funded in part by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), using medical marijuana was associated with “significant decreases in self-reported anxiety and depression.”
So says Ben Adlin, who reported on the study for Marijuana Moment. According to Adlin, the observational study, which was published in the Journal of Affective Disorders, monitored 33 adults in Maryland with “clinically significant” anxiety and/or depression for over a six-month period. The study participants were evaluated at the beginning of the study to establish a baseline, and then again after one, three and six months from when patients began using medical cannabis.
Wrote the research team in their journal article, “Significant decreases from baseline in anxiety and depression were observed, with mean scores dropping below clinically significant levels within three months of initiation.”
They also revealed that the most acute effects of cannabis use by participants were dose-dependent. Specifically, the authors wrote that,“10–15 mg of oral THC and at least 3 puffs of vaporized cannabis yielded the most robust reductions in anxiety and depression.”
In his article, Adlin noted that participants also reported sustained reductions in anxiety and/or depression symptoms over the six-month study period.
Adlin also pointed out that the authors wrote that while the findings of the new study were promising, “controlled clinical trials are needed to further investigate the efficacy and safety of medicinal cannabis for acute anxiety and depression symptom management.”
The research team included individuals affiliated with the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health and the university’s Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, as well as the Centre for Alcohol Policy Research in Melbourne, Australia.
To learn more about this and several other studies that covered similar issues, we encourage you to read Ben Adlin’s reporting in the July 10, 2025 issue of Marijuana Moment.net.
Anxiety and Medical Cannabis
In another study on medical cannabis use and anxiety, researchers from Johns Hopkins University and the University of Pittsburgh found that anxiety is now the number one health condition that Pennsylvania patients treat with medical marijuana.
The study relied on data supplied by the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
According to an article about the study that appeared in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine, physicians responsible for certifying patient participation in the state’s medical marijuana program recommended using medical cannabis to address anxiety disorders to about 1.6 million registered patients.
In an article about the study for Marijuana Moment, Kyle Jaeger noted that by contrast, 91,759 people received cannabis certifications for chronic pain, 21,671 for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and 28,991 for other conditions.
Wrote the research team in their journal article, “We found that adding anxiety disorders as a qualifying condition for medical cannabis in Pennsylvania was associated with an overall increase in certifications, with anxiety disorders rapidly becoming the most common qualifying condition, comprising 60.26 percent of certifications since it was added.”
They also noted that while certifications for chronic pain and PTSD still increased, the percentage of total certifications using each of these qualifying conditions decreased by roughly one third after anxiety was added.
In addition, the study’s authors speculated that the increased anxiety-related recommendations could be linked to stress experienced during the coronavirus pandemic.
To learn more, we encourage you to read Kyle Jaeger’s reporting in the July 9, 2025 issue of Marijuana Moment.net.
https://www.marijuanamoment.net/pennsylvanias-medical-marijuana-program-expanded-significantly-after-anxiety-was-added-as-a-qualifying-condition-study-shows/
Cannabis Paraphernalia and Health
You may want to ditch those American flag rolling papers you have left over from the Fourth of July. Using printed and dyed rolling papers can pose a health risk for cannabis consumers. So writes Margaret Jackson in an article for MJBizDaily.
According to Jackson, a study conducted by researchers at Lake Superior State University revealed alarming levels of heavy metal contamination in printed marijuana rolling papers.
Jackson wrote that after analysing 26 different elements, the researchers found that printed papers contained significantly higher concentrations of metals such as copper, chromium and vanadium compared to their unprinted counterparts.
She also noted that Custom Cones USA, the maker of custom rolling papers, responded to the news by taking a “proactive stance to prioritize consumer safety” by discontinuing all printed rolling paper options and discarding its inventory.
The Renton, Washington-based company was about to start making rolling papers with hearts printed on them when Harrison Bard, CEO of Custom Cones USA, learned of the study and the health dangers printed papers pose and made the decision to stop producing the risky wrappers.
In her article, Jackson also makes the point that while cannabis undergoes rigorous testing in regulated states, the papers and wraps used to consume it do not, adding that “Just because a product passes state regulations for cannabis doesn’t mean it’s safe for any potential smoking material or that the accessories are free from harmful byproducts when combusted.”
Darwin Millard, technical director for St. Louis-based compliance service Cannabis Safety & Quality and an active volunteer with ASTM International, a Pennsylvania-based standards organization, told Jackson that ASTM International has formed a committee to create standards for pre-rolls.
Said Millard, “We want to create specifications that address restricted substances in rolling papers and inhalation-grade adhesives. Papers, glues and tips are the main focus.”
As usual, Margaret Jackson does a masterful job of unpacking an often overlooked risk to consumers, even addressing the problems posed by using rose petals as rolling papers.
To learn more, we urge you to read Margaret Jackson’s article in the June 18, 2025 issue of MJBizDaily.com.
https://mjbizdaily.com/dyed-and-printed-marijuana-rolling-papers-could-pose-health-risks/
Cannabis and Pain Management
Long-term use of medical cannabis can be a stable and well-tolerated option for managing chronic musculoskeletal pain. That’s a key takeaway from a study conducted by researchers affiliated with Rothman Orthopaedic Institute in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Penn State College of Medicine in Hershey, Pennsylvania.
The aim of the study was to evaluate long-term medical cannabis use patterns, perceived efficacy, and its impact on cognition among patients with chronic musculoskeletal noncancer pain.
The study involved 129 participants who were certified for medical cannabis use under Pennsylvania state guidelines for a minimum of one year at the time of the study. The patients completed an Inventory of Medical Cannabis Use (IMCU) questionnaire assessing usage patterns, dosage knowledge, efficacy, cognitive effects, and tolerance changes. Their responses were collected in a password-protected database.
A total of nearly 78 percent of patients reported using medical cannabis daily or near daily with nearly 64 percent of participants reporting that they used a topical form of medical cannabis to achieve relief from pain.
While about half of the respondents told researchers they were uncertain of their exact tetrahydrocannabinol/cannabidiol (THC/CBD) dosage, a median oral dose of 10 mg was recorded among those who provided estimates.
When it comes to perceived effectiveness, over 93 percent of respondents agreed or strongly agreed when asked that medical cannabis improved their primary symptoms. At the same time, cognitive and motor effects were minimal for most users, with just over 72 percent reporting no impact. Furthermore, nearly 80 percent of respondents indicated stable usage patterns over the prior three months, and very few reported a need or external suggestion to reduce medical cannabis use.
Based on their study, the researchers concluded that their findings support a role for medical cannabis in pain management while highlighting the need for further research on optimal dosing and long-term safety.
The study was described in a peer-reviewed article that appeared in the May 14, 2025 issue of the journal Cureus.
To read an abstract of the study, or the journal article in full, click on the link that follows.
Cannabis Sponsors and Sports Fans
A majority of sports fans across multiple leagues say it’s acceptable for cannabis companies to sponsor teams. That’s a key takeaway from a new poll conducted by Performance Research and Full Circle Research.
So writes Kyle Jaeger in an article for Marijuana Moment. According to Jaeger, while there was more support for allowing CBD-related sponsorships, as opposed to deals with THC brands, in no case was there majority opposition to either kind of partnership among fans of nine different sports leagues: NFL, NBA, MLB, MLS, UFC, NHL, Pro Tennis, Pro Golf and NASCAR.
The survey, which queried 1,000 sports fans over the age of 21 in the 24 states where recreational marijuana is legal, was conducted between April 23-26.
Said Jed Pearsall, president and founder of Performance Research, in comments to Sports Business Journal, which first reported the poll results, “I think there’s no longer a justifiable reason to be shy about this.”
Jaeger noted that the publication reported that the survey also showed that a majority of sports fans’ perceptions of leagues and teams are either positively affected or unchanged due to cannabis sponsorships—though it also found that only 17 percent are aware of any such specific partnerships.
Said Persal, “Sports has a way of normalizing things, and that’s good for the cannabis industry, and those marketing with it.”
In his article, Jaeger also points out that major sports leagues have been gradually reducing the stigma against cannabis use, with policy changes for players and professional affiliations with the industry. He cited changes the National Football League recently agreed to with its players union to further reform its marijuana policies, such as reducing fines for positive tests while increasing the allowable THC threshold when players are tested, as an example.
You can learn more by reading the article Kyle Jaeger penned for the June 13, 2025 issue of Marijuana Moment.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.