Medical Marijuana

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York is moving to expand its fledgling medical marijuana program.

State health officials announced recently that nurse practitioners will soon be able to authorize the drug for patients. The state also plans to gradually increase the number of allowed dispensaries to as many as 40.

Officials are also weighing proposals to make chronic pain an eligible condition.

Many patients have praised the changes, which they say will help patients get access.

Read More:http://hightimes.com/news/new-york-looks-to-expand-medical-marijuana-program/

According to a new study published in the journal Current Neurovascular Research, and e-published by the National Institute of Health, has found that activation of the CB2 receptors – something done naturally by cannabis – may treat vascular dementia.

According to the study’s researchers; “Vascular dementia is the highly devastating neurodegenerative disorder after Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and mainly found in aged people but the effectual therapeutic target is still not there.” In addition; “Chronic cerebral hypoperfusion (CCH) has been broadly found in vascular dementia (VaD) patients.” CCH is thought to “link with neurodegenerative disorders and their subsequent cognitive deteriorate on.”

For the study, researchers examined “the role of a selective agonist of cannabinoid receptor type 2(CB2); 1-phenylisatin in CCH induced VaD [using rat models].”

Read More:http://www.theweedblog.com/study-cannabis-may-treat-vascular-dementia/

In roughly three weeks a petition calling on New Jersey Governor Chris Christie to sign a bill adding post traumatic stress disorder as a qualifying medical cannabis condition has over 17,000 signatures.

“On August 1st New Jersey’s full legislature gave approval to Assembly Bill 457 which would add post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a qualifying medical cannabis condition. The vote in the Senate was 29 to 9; the vote in the Assembly was 56 to 13″, states the petition. “Now, the measure sits on the desk of Governor Chris Christie, who has the option of signing it into law, allowing it to become law without his signature, or vetoing it.”

It continues; “We are calling Governor Christie to quickly sign it into law, allowing those suffering from the ailment to use a medicine that research has continually shown is beneficial.”

Read More:http://www.theweedblog.com/17000-signatures-petition-asking-new-jersey-governor-allow-cannabis-ptsd/

While the United States government refuses to admit the cannabis plant has any real medicinal benefit, its position has not prevented federal health agencies, over the years, from approving synthetic versions of the herb’s psychoactive component to be used by Big Pharma in the treatment of serious conditions.

In fact, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), one of the primary barriers in the grand scheme of nationwide legalization, recently approved a liquid variety of synthetic tetrahydrocannabidiol (THC) that will be sold to people suffering from AIDS and cancer.

Read More:http://hightimes.com/news/fda-approves-liquid-marijuana-for-aids-and-cancer-patients/

The beauty industry loves new ingredients — as witnessed by the use of such gems as Cochineal beetles (skin creams, lipstick, etc.), bird poop for a Geisha facial and whale vomit – or ambergris – for making perfume.

And now, according to UK-based The Future Laboratory, cannabis will be the next big ingredient of choice for the beauty industry, including skin- and hair-care products; as well as makeup and perfume.

“Growing support for legalization and an increased awareness of the potential benefits of cannabis are the driving forces behind this ingredient,” said Victoria Buchanan, trend analyst at The Future Laboratory, to The Telegraph.

Pot’s anti-aging and protective capabilities alone are enough to make it a primary ingredient in skin care, according to two dermatologists interviewed by the Huffington Post.

Read More:http://hightimes.com/medicinal/researchers-cannabis-will-be-the-next-hot-skincare-ingredient/

We have all had a headache before, right?  Many of us will reach for ibuprofen or acetaminophen (or something stronger) to treat the pain.  However, if medical cannabis  were legal for everyone, we could be treating this ailment far more naturally with cannabis.

Chronic headaches, migraines and tension headaches are all painful conditions which can have debilitating effects on patients’ lives. An estimated 50% of the world’s population suffers from headache disorders, with over 2.7 million migraine sufferers reported in Canada.

Read More:http://www.theweedblog.com/cure-headaches-medical-cannabis/