Weekend digest: Six big stories from the cannabis world you might have missed

Another week, another rollercoaster in the fast-moving world of cannabis.

At Cannabis Health, our in depth coverage of the ongoing growth of cannabis as a medical and wellness product continues

Meanwhile, over at Cannabis Wealth, we’ve been following all the big industry and policy news in a week which has seen some important developments..

Been busy and want to get caught up in a hurry?

Here are the six things you need to read to stay in the loop this week.

1. Abuse on the frontline

Medical cannabis clinics are reporting a rise in ‘threatening’ abuse being directed at staff from a ‘small number’ of patients.

Healthcare professionals working in the medical cannabis field have revealed the extent of abusive behaviour they are experiencing at the hands of a small minority of patients.

Staff have reported experiencing a “pressure to prescribe” with some patients becoming more “aggressive” – and even threatening to report doctors to the General Medical Council (GMC) – when they have refused to provide a specific treatment.

Read more here.

2. CBD and Alzheimer’s 

Tiny capsules of CBD could help treat neurological disorders such Alzheimer’s disease and multiple sclerosis, say researchers.

A team from from Curtin University has developed tiny oral capsules that improved the delivery of CBD into the brain by up to 40-times.

The technology has the potential to treat neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis and traumatic brain injuries.

More here.

3. Who uses cannabis?

The stereotypical perception of the male cannabis user is fast becoming outdated, as more women are turning to the plant for wellness purposes.

According to a recent report from cannabis market insight company, Brightfield Group, in the proportion of female cannabis consumers rose throughout the last year, making up 51 percent of all users in the US by the beginning of 2021.

The demographic of ‘new recreational users’- which make up six percent of all cannabis consumers over the last year – is also much more diverse in sexual orientation and ethnicity, with 59 percent of those identifying as female.

You can read the whole thing here.

4. Seal of approval for testing

A government-backed assessment of the quality of cannabis testing facilities has given a vote of confidence to the industry.

The Government Chemist, an official who leads of lab-related affairs on behalf of the government, initiated a ‘ring trial’ for labs involved in CBD testing, a study designed to compare the accuracy of different facilities.

The finds are good news for the industry: 82% of labs demonstrated their capability to determine CBD in consumer products successfully.

Full story here.

5. New CBD big-hitter

Anthony Joshua, one of Britain’s most high profile athletes, is the new face of Love Hemp – and will launch his own CBD range.

The wellness company has landed an eye-catching three-year endorsement deal with the two-time heavyweight champion of the world and Olympic gold medalist.

The 31-year-old boxer, who was awarded an OBE in 2018, will serve as an ambassador for the brand and collaborate on a branded ‘range of CBD products for athletes’.

Read the full story here.

6. UN calls for canna-crackdown

The United Nations has called for a worldwide ban on the advertising of cannabis products.

In a report which could have serious ramifications for the industry, health experts have demanded cannabis products to be treated in much the same way as tobacco.

The World Drug Report 2021 will make for grim reading for those in the industry pushing to have restrictions on promotion eased as the industry expands.

Read more here.

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