Welcome to Senior Cannabis Digest. This week we look at treating anxiety, pain and depression with cannabis, medical cannabis in Ukraine, two consumer archetypes and more. Enjoy.
Cannabis News and Notes
There is hopeful news for mature consumers who suffer from depression, pain or anxiety. A new study indicates using medical marijuana can help to improve well-being and symptom intensity including anxiety, depression, insomnia and chronic pain. There’s also evidence it may help to reduce prescription drug use.
So says Ben Adlin reporting for Marijuana Moment. According to Adlin, two nurse practitioners associated with Clinic 420 as well as an eminent scholar at Old Dominion University and a nurse scientist at the same school surveyed 31 patients at a medical marijuana center located in rural Virginia. The study included only patients using cannabis for chronic pain, insomnia, anxiety or depression.
Researchers focused on how participants responded to questions about prescription medication use, general health, quality of life, medical cannabis knowledge, condition severity and general health beliefs.
Adlin reported that the study found, “Health and well-being improved significantly after the addition of medical cannabis to their treatment regimen. Moreover, prescription medication use decreased significantly. Respondents self-reported a therapeutic health benefit after medical cannabis use. Of those surveyed, 28 percent reported improved health, and 57 percent reported improved quality of life. The most significant benefits were decreased anxiety (59 percent) and insomnia (53 percent).”
When describing their experience of using medical cannabis, participants told the researchers they were “sleeping a lot better” and “don’t feel depressed anymore.” Patients also noted their “anxiety is so much better, no panic attacks even under stress.” Other patients noted “it’s wonderful for my nausea” and “cannabis helps pain, I’m off of all narcotics and other pain meds.” Finally, one patient noted “I bought salve (containing cannabis) and it has really helped my neck and my arms. I’m just amazed. Thank you so much.”
The study, which was published in the Journal of Nurse Practitioners, also revealed that nurse practitioners, family and doctors were main sources of medical marijuana information. This, said the study, suggests the need for more and better education for healthcare providers.
Adlin’s reporting is clear and concise. To learn more, we urge you to read his article in the August 13, 2024 issue of Marijuana Moment.net.
Spotlight on Medical Cannabis
The legalization of medical marijuana has officially taken effect in Ukraine. So says Kyle Jaeger, reporting for Marijuana Moment. This comes about six months after President Volodymyr Zelensky signed the medical cannabis legislation into law.
According to Jaeger, the law that’s taking effect will legalize medical cannabis for patients with severe illnesses, such as cancer, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) resulting from the nation’s military conflict with Russia, which has gone on for over two years.
President Zelensky and other officials have said in the past that access to medical cannabis can help soldiers address physical and mental wounds incurred during the nation’s war with Russia.
As the country has prepared for this implementation, it’s started to import marijuana products since cannabis was moved from the List I to List II of the country’s drug code, making it available for medical use with a prescription.
Said Olha Stefanishyna, deputy prime minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine, “Ukrainian patients first get access to imported medicines. Where the first medicines will come from depends on foreign manufacturers who have the necessary quality documents and will pass the registration stage. Cultivation of medical cannabis in Ukraine will be available later.”
The law also allows people entering or leaving Ukraine or heading in transit through its territory to carry medical cannabis-based medicines for personal use to the extent that does not exceed a doctor’s prescription.
The recreational use of cannabis remains illegal.
If you care to learn more, we suggest reading Kyle Jaeger’s excellent reporting in the August 16, 2024 issue of Marijuana Moment.net.
Cannabis and Veterans
While Ukraine has legalized medical cannabis, specifically to help its citizens deal with medical problems stemming from its war with Russia, here in the U.S., the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has issued a statement reminding veterans that cannabis remains illegal at the federal level.
Writes Chris Klug, a Public Affairs Specialist with the VA’s Cincinnati Health Center, “The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is required to follow all federal laws including those regarding marijuana. As long as the Food and Drug Administration classifies marijuana as Schedule I, VA health care providers may not recommend it or assist Veterans to obtain it.”
His press release comes hot on the heels of Ohio’s decision to legalize recreational cannabis.
In a broader statement on its cannabis policy, the VA acknowledged that Veteran participation in state marijuana programs does not affect eligibility for VA care and services and that VA providers can and do discuss marijuana use with Veterans as part of comprehensive care planning, and adjust treatment plans as necessary.
However, at the same time, it stated that:
• VA clinicians may not recommend medical marijuana.
• VA scientists may conduct research on marijuana benefits and risks, and potential for abuse, under regulatory approval.
• VA clinicians may only prescribe medications that have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for medical use. At present most products containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD), or other cannabinoids are not approved for this purpose by the FDA.
• VA clinicians may not complete paperwork/forms required for Veteran patients to participate in state-approved marijuana programs.
• VA pharmacies may not fill prescriptions for medical marijuana.
• VA will not pay for medical marijuana prescriptions from any source.
Some speculate that the VA’s prohibitionist stance will change if and when the Biden Administration’s proposed reclassification of cannabis from a Schedule 1 to a Schedule 3 drug takes effect.
More news as more news develops.
To learn more about the VA’s policy on medical cannabis, click on the following link.
https://www.publichealth.va.gov/marijuana.asp
Notable Numbers
This week’s notable number is 11.5 million, as in 11.5 million dollars. Ohio recreational marijuana sales surpassed $11.5 million during the first four days of operation which began on August 6.
According to Megan Henry, writing for the Ohio Capital Journal, the Ohio Department of Commerce Division of Cannabis Control reported that there were 173,043 units of manufacturer product sold and 1,285 pounds of plant material. During this period the average price of an ounce of flower was $266.
In her article, Henry notes that Ohio currently has 120 dual-use dispensaries, which means they can sell both medical and non-medical marijuana, according to the division. Ohio had 98 dual-use dispensaries when recreational sales started.
Henry also points out that more than 70 Ohio cities have local moratoriums prohibiting adult-use cannabis business. That’s according to Ohio State University’s Moritz College of Law.
In Ohio there is a 10 percent tax at the point of sales for each non-medical marijuana transaction. Those tax dollars are then shared among five funds in the state treasury — the adult use tax fund, the cannabis social equity and jobs fund, the host community cannabis fund, the substance abuse and addiction fund, and the division of cannabis control and tax commissioner fund.
You can learn more by reading Megan Henry’s article in the August 19, 2024 issue of the Ohio Capital Journal.
Consumer Corner
What type of cannabis consumer are you? Are you a Savvy Connoisseur, a Modern Medicinal, or maybe a little of both? Your dispensary may want to know so it can serve you better.
That’s the word from the folks at New Frontier Data who say understanding consumer spending habits can help retailers develop more effective marketing strategies.
According to a recent article from New Frontier Data, based on their behavior and product preferences, cannabis consumers fall into two broad categories: Savvy Connoisseurs and Modern Medicinals.
• Savvy Connoisseurs are characterized by their frequent cannabis use and substantial spending. They engage in both medical and recreational consumption, enjoying a wide range of products, including both flower and non-flower varieties.
Savvy Connoisseurs are the youngest consumer group, and are thought to be more likely to share cannabis with friends and family, making them influential in their social circles.
The fact that they use both regulated and unregulated sources, presents an opportunity for dispensaries and brands to attract them to the regulated market with targeted marketing efforts.
This consumer archetype is said to be prevalent in cities such as Los Angeles, Cleveland, Orlando, Phoenix, and Albuquerque/Santa Fe.
• Modern Medicinals are moderate frequency consumers who lean towards medical use of cannabis. While they do consume both flower and non-flower products, they often prefer non-flower forms such as edibles, topicals, and vapes.
This archetype is usually older and skews female, with a strong preference for regulated sources. Modern Medicinals are more likely to respond to wellness-focused marketing and education-driven retail experiences, making these approaches particularly effective in appealing to this group.
Modern Medicinals are often found in major metro areas such as Chicago, Washington DC, New York, and Minneapolis/St. Paul.
Consumers who are clear about what they want from their cannabis experience can actually help a dispensary help them find more satisfaction as a customer by purchasing products that meet their needs and expectations.
So, what type of consumer are you?
New Frontier Data is an analytics and technology firm specializing in the global cannabis industry. It delivers business solutions that enable investors, operators, advertisers, brands, researchers and policy makers to assess, understand, engage and transact with the cannabis industry and its consumers.
Its analysis of consumer behavior appears in the August 20, 2024 issue of Cannabis Insights, a publication of New Frontier Data. To learn more, simply click on the following link.
https://newfrontierdata.com/cannabis-insights/the-power-of-knowing-your-cannabis-consumer/?
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.
