Will Norway follow Portugal and decriminalize drug use?

Norway may be about to rather drastically change its drug policy. The new policy would seek not to punish those who use drugs but instead offer help and support to those who need it. And if they the user does not need the help? Then they may be simply left alone. To many, this is a controversial take on drug policy, however it is not the first policy of its kind in Europe.

Portugal is the role model

Portugal decriminalized all recreational drug use in 2001, as desperate action to attempt to deal with its serious drug problem. However, two decades later the results are difficult to deny. Portugal has demonstrated how funding and resources can be moved from away from police and judiciary powers and towards healthcare and preventive measures instead

An expert panel of doctors, social scientists and psychologists, as well as representatives of Norwegian user groups, was assembled to perform an investigation for a potential drug reform.

The state investigation called ‘Rusreform – fra straff til hjelp’, or ‘The drug reform - from punishment to help’, was presented in late 2019. It suggested that the personal purchase, possession and use of recreational drugs should be decriminalised and not punishable offense in Norway. Norway may be following in Portugal’s footsteps.

There is a difference between legalization or decriminalization

Keep in mind that decriminalisation does not mean legalisation. Norway’s new policy will not make drugs legal. A person who uses, possess, or purchases a small amount for his own personal use of drugs will not be treated as a criminal. However, this does not necessarily mean there will be no consequences.

Instead, the principal rule is that the individual is referred to a special counselling unit, where they can offer help if necessary, or just get information about any potential problems with drug use.

This progressive policy came from Norway’s conservatives

Perhaps surprisingly to people outside of Nordic country, it’s Norway’s Conservative Party that is proposing these reforms. Also known as the Høyre Party (The Right Party), the conservatives had decided in March 2017 to reform its drug policy program and began work on its investigation.

In summary, the decision was made that the judiciary should pass over the responsibility for drug problems to the health care system. It was decided that drug policy should be informed by a scientific basis, which is difficult to argue with.

Norway’s leftist labour party has been quite outwardly against the proposal. Norway’s 2021 election will be taking place on September 13th; the result of which could determine the fate of proposal, at least for time being.

German market explodes on to European cannabis scene

Amsterdam was the undisputed European cannabis capital for many years. While Spain’s Catalonia and several other countries and regions are worthy of honourable mentions, Germany may be a serious contender to take the title. The country has been making large strides with new legal cannabis legislation.

Since 2017, all German doctors are allowed to recommend medical marijuana to patients who are suffering. Patients can also purchase cannabis from many pharmacies.

The recent medical cannabis reforms have led to a revolution in the cannabis industry. Germany boasts largest and most powerful economy in Europe and is home to 83 million people, more than twice that of California.

Reform of adult-use European cannabis is on the horizon

The European continent has a growing medical cannabis industry. Legalization of adult-use cannabis seems to be closer than ever. Even The Netherlands, despite being a hotspot for cannabis use decades, attracting many tourists, has yet to make the substance legal.

Right now, cannabis is not “legal” anywhere in Europe for adults. The Netherlands and a handful of other European nations have decriminalized possession and use however but none have yet to commit to full legalization. However, many countries are making progress in this direction.

The Netherlands of course will still allow licensed “Coffee Shops” to sell the substance. Switzerland allows low-THC products across the country. A Supreme Court decision in Italy has declared cannabis prohibition unconstitutional.

Cannabis reform in Europe will open up new opportunities for the emerging cannabis industry. It’s a smart idea for investors, entrepreneurs, and service providers in the industry to get involved early, so they are not left behind by the competition. With annual growth of almost 70%, the European cannabis industry is expected to reach over 3 billion euros by just 2025. However, this is a conservative estimate.

Germany’s changing landscape

The German medical cannabis industry has seen rapid growth in the past few years. However, regulations and rules are constantly changing.

As a result, the country’s medical cannabis industry is a lucrative one, but it can be difficult to navigate. This holds true for other countries in Europe.

After the German Federal Government legalized medicinal cannabis 2017, the country quickly became the largest legal cannabis market in Europe. Some estimate the German cannabis market alone could be worth over 7 billion euros.

Is the cannabis industry about to boom in Africa?

The idea of legalizing cannabis in Africa, was to many an inconcievable one 10 years ago. The economic difficulties that came with with the Covid-19 pandemic has increased demand for new sources of revenue. Some African nations are now looking to cannabis.

Many Africans have been subject to the harsh colonial and morality laws regarding cannabis use. They were forced underground or jailed for their work, and many of them lost their livelihoods. This once-closed area is now open to governments as they seek more revenue sources, although not necessarily for smallholder growers and local consumption.

The continent is seeing sweeping reforms due to developments in Western markets. Legalization has been spreading quickly in the west and Africa is looking to make a profit from the multi-billion dollar sector. No less than 10 African countries have already introducing a legal framework to allow the product to be sold. Many more African countries are considering similar moves.

Although preachers and legislators believe that licensing cannabis cultivation will encourage young people to use the substance. No one wants to spend millions of dollars on weed for the poor youth living in slums.

According to Prohibition Partners (a research and consulting firm that specializes in legal cannabis industry), Africa’s legal marijuana market could be worth up to $7.1 billion by 2023. This projection was focused on South Africa, Zimbabwe and Lesotho’s legal and regulated cannabis market.

Africa’s cannabis market is opening up

Lesotho was the first country to legalize cannabis in Africa in 2017. Morocco followed suit earlier in 2021.

Morocco was the already world’s largest exporter of cannabis even prior to Morcco’s decision to allow legalize the substance. Law allows for the “medical cosmetic, industrial, and industrial use” of cannabis as well as providing a regulatory structure. The country’s illegal cannabis industry, which was emplying close to 1,000,000 people, sent $13 billion worth of cannabis to Europe every year.

Morocco will likely wake up other African giants like Ethiopia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Nigeria. This will also help to drive Africa’s legal cannabis market projections higher as more transactions become mainstreamed.

African countries have a lot to gain from technology and investment. They can improve their legal and regulatory environments and put their arable land and low-wage labor to use by introducing new regulations. The state can also create industries that process and export cannabis products. They will also be able to make revenue by taxing the sector and granting licenses to local businesses.

The African continent, particularly the countries along the Equator, has a huge opportunity to make cannabis innovation a reality. At least according to According to Isaac Imaka, director of Seven Blades, a company applying for a Ugandan cannabis license.

He says, “It’s appalling that as usual…” as he explains how countries choose not to rush in issuing regulations to direct liscense issuing.

He says that the inability to communicate with those responsible for making the decision has impeded the speed at which countries such as Uganda and Kenya could have seized the opportunity.

Arguments against cannabis use

Major efforts in Kenya to legalize cannabis have met resistance from religious and public perceptions.

Surprisingly, the Covid-19 pandemic has lifted the lid on moral objections to cannabis. Janet Museveni (the first lady of Uganda) as well as several former and even current ministers have opposed legalization of cannabis, calling it “satanic”, and “destroying to the future of our children”. A report shows that Uganda has more than 2.65 million users of the substance.

Although it isn’t supported by science, cannabis has been discussed as a Covid-19 treatment. Some have promoted the product as a way of relieving some of the symptoms of the virus. The Ugandan health ministry issued a public warning to the public that cannabis was not to be used to treat the symptoms of the virus. South Africa began a trial with marijuana in June 2020 as one of six herbs that could help fight Covid-19.

A plan for the commercialization and industrialization of cannabis has been developed by the South Africa, the continents most industrialized economy. It has been hailed as a tool to create new jobs, tackle poverty and promote economic growth.

However, the country has been criticised for slow progress. Estimates suggest that the country’s domestic cannabis and related products market will be worth approximately $2 billion.

Africa is not the market most nations are aiming at

Outside of South Africa, legalization of local consumption and trade seems unlikely for most of the continent. Other African nations looking to legalize cannabis aren’t interested in developing local industries or formalizing local markets. They are instead looking to feed the hungry markets that are opening up in the America and Europe.

Lesotho’s MG Health, a licensed grower and manufacturer of high-quality cannabis extracts, has already made history two months ago when it became the first African cannabis company to be awarded the coveted EU Good Manufacturing Practices certification. The company is now able to make EU-market deals.

Multi-million-dollar deals are being made as governments shift their approach to cannabis across the continent. Goodleaf, South Africa’s leading commercial cannabis brand, merged with Highlands Investments, from Lesotho on June 3. The deal was valued at $45.2 million.

Almost 100 companies from Uganda have applied for licenses that will allow them to cultivate marijuana commercially. Entrepreneurs and enthusiasts must navigate the political and moral landscape to make a business case.

Many countries, such as Tanzania and Kenya that have large underground operations, have been reluctant to open their doors despite grassroots movements calling for it.

Why is cannabis banned in sport?

With a time of 10.72 seconds in the 100m sprint, Sha’Carri Richardson is the sixth fastest woman in history. She was also one of the main contenders for the Tokyo gold medal. However, the American sprinter did not compete in the Tokyo Olympics, despite being an important and well-known member of the US Olympic team.

So why did Richardson not compete? She tested positive for cannabis use during US athletics qualifiers. She was not attempting to gain some unfair advantage, that other banned substances could provide. No. She was just using the substance in her free time to relax and enjoy herself, the same way someone would treat themselves to a drink. The substance is already legal for a third of the US population.

Richardson was not selected to represent the United States at these games in July after she was positive for cannabis use during the qualifying tests.

The US Anti-Doping Agency suspended her from participating in any sport for one month as punishment. Technically, her 30-day suspension expired during the Tokyo Games. However, the US Athletics Committee decided not to include her in the team.

World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) considers cannabis, excluding CBD, an anti-sports drug and prohibits its use. But activists are campaigning to change that. Of course, cannabis is still a widely illegal substance. But it raises the question of whether an illegal substance that provides no performance benefit to an athlete should be banned in sports. A large part is to do with public perception. But the world is becoming increasingly tolerant of cannabis. Is it time that the sporting world follow suit?

Why is cannabis banned in sport at all?

So why is it banned? The disqualification has rekindled the long-running debate about cannabis prohibition in sports and by extension, the Olympics. Since cannabis is legal in many US states and its performance enhancing properties are contested, many wonder whether it should still be banned.

Since 2004, when the World Anti-Doping Agency created its Prohibited Substances List; Cannabis, of course, was banned. The list includes items that meet two out of three criteria: they harm athletes’ health, increase performance, or are against the spirit of the sport. The second point is controversial in relation to cannabis.

In an article published in Sports Medicine, WADA advocated for banning cannabis. Citing a study of marijuana’s ability to reduce anxiety, WADA said it can help athletes “perform better under pressure and relieve the stress felt before and during competition.”

Of course, there is still ongoing to debate on whether this qualifies as performance enhancing. Some point out that alcohol and cigarettes could be banned using the same logic.

Alain Steve Comtois is the director of the department of sports science at the University of Quebec in Montreal. He argues that these findings are not enough to warrant the conclusion that cannabis is a performance-enhancing drug.

He stated to BBC that “you have to have an overall view.” “Yes, anxiety levels drop but actual physiological data shows that performance is decreased.” Comtois was also one of the authors of a review of studies by Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness Review on cannabis use prior to exercise and its ability improve athletic performance.

This article found that marijuana interferes with the physiological reactions necessary for high performance, increasing blood pressure, and decreasing strength and stability. The paper didn’t examine marijuana’s effects on anxiety. But Comtois claims that its other negative effects could more than negate any benefits. Many believe that the negative physiological effects massively outweigh the reduced nerves.

Can drugs and good sportsmanship coexist?

But there’s more to WADA’s rule than just banning performance-enhancing drugs.

WADA was founded in 1999 following several doping scandals at Olympics. It aimed to be a leader in the fight against doping in sport around the globe. No country on the planet had yet legalized cannabis, when WADA made its list of banned substances in 2004.

John Hoberman (a cultural historian at the University of Texas Austin who studies anti-doping history) said that they didn’t want “social respectability issues.”

WADA cited its illicit drug status in a 2011 paper, as one reason marijuana offended “sportsmanship”, point 3, and wasn’t compatible with the model athlete. They believed an athlete should be a role model for young people all over the world, which of course excluded cannabis.

Richardson was not the only one who received reprimands for violating this rule. Before WADA even made the banned drug list, the International Olympic Committee attempted to seize the gold medal from Ross Rebagliati, a Canadian snowboarder, because he had tested positive. American sprinter John Capel was banned for two years after failing a test in 2006. After photos of Michael Phelps smoking marijuana online were published, he was removed from Kellogg’s sponsorship for three months.

A growing acceptance has been shown for the medical use of cannabis, with many countries including the UK allowing it. It is illegal in the United States but legal in around a third of states, including Oregon where Richardson was positive.

Cannabis has seen a shift in society’s attitudes towards it over the last decade all over the globe. Although many countries had legalized medical use or decriminalized use of the drug, Uruguay became the first country to legalize the sale of the substance in 2013. Other countries have also become much more tolerant of the substance since. Georgia, Canada, South Africa and Mexico have followed in Uruguay’s footsteps and legalized cannabis.

WADA removed cannabidiol (CBD) from its list of banned substances in 2019. However, the product remains illegal in like Japan, where the 2021 Olympics were just held.

These changes have fuelled current criticisms about Richardson’s suspension. NBC News was told by the runner that she used the drug to cope with the death of her mother a week prior to the undercard.

WADA is faced with a dilemma amid a wave of sympathy towards Richardson. Hoberman said, “You cannot run an organization subject to rules and then just dissolve it at a convenient moment.”

“I am sorry if I have disappointed you”. She said that this will be the last time that the US returns home without gold in the 100m.

Will we see a change?

Richardson’s suspension even prompted American President, Joe Biden, to question the current law. Although he did not say it should be overturned.

“Rules are rules. Biden stated that everyone knows the rules, and that they are understood by all.” Biden spoke to reporters in Michigan. “Whether they should keep it that way or continue is another question.”

Even the US Anti-Doping Agency (the US authority that enforces WADA’s rules) said it was time to “review the matter.”

Although it is not yet clear when or even if WADA will consider banning cannabis, despite the growing pressure for them to do so. Richardson and other athletes in similar positions will either stay away from cannabis or watch from the sidelines for now.

How cannabis interacts with Antidepressants

Cannabis can make a good natural antidepressant that many already use both to try improving their mood. It has many notable effects on the mental state and there is definitely great potential to help those in need. Many use it for its powerful stress relieving properties. It is also known to be a safe substance to use.

Despite its prevalence in many countries around the world, only a handful have legalised the drug for recreational use.

However, is it still just as safe for those with a diagnosis and prescription for a doctor for a mental condition? Some question the safety of using cannabis while taking antidepressants.

This topic is vital because, although cannabis is a natural product that has very few contraindications, cannabinoids do still interact with other substances in the body. It is therefore important to highlight any interactions or problems that may result from cannabis use.

Some things to keep in mind

When compared to other fields of study, there aren’t that many rigorous and in-depth studies on the subject. However, there are a few interesting reviews that have enough evidence to provide a general overview. The current scientific consensus comes from these studies.

Firstly, reports of adverse events resulting from interactions between antidepressants and cannabis are rare, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t care. It is important to remember that cannabis smoking is still illegal the majority of countries despite the drug being more accepted. This means that there are likely people who have had negative experiences but have intentionally withheld them.

High levels of THC correlate to a larger number of cases. CBD is generally safer and causes fewer issues when used alongside prescription medications.

You should also consider the type of condition being treated. Patients with severe depression and bipolar disorder are at greatest risk. Many scholars believe that they should reduce their cannabis use, regardless of whether they take medication or not.

There are many antidepressants available on the market, each with a different mechanism. It is important to not lump them all together and to focus on individual cases.

SSRIs

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors, or just SSRIs, are the most common type of antidepressant that is prescribed to patients. The group includes many commonly prescribed antidepressant drugs like Prozac, Zoloft, and Lexapro. Concomitant administrations of therapeutic cannabis and these drugs have been reported in many cases. However, if medical supervision is maintained and regular dosages are administered, the risk of interaction with the drugs is low.

The reason doctors prefer to prescribe SSRIs to patients other the alternatives is that they cause fewer and less serious side effects. In addition, reports of interactions with other drugs are rarer and milder with SSRIs than other alternatives.

NDRIs and SNRIs

There have been very few reports of adverse reactions to NDRIs (Noradrenaline and Dopamine Reuptake Inhibiters). These drugs are also used widely for treatment of depression and cognitive problems. There is a low to moderate risk of cannabis interaction with Bupropion or Methylphenidate (Ritalin).

Serotonin and Norepinephrine reuptake inhibiters, SNRIs are antidepressants that are also generally safe to be used in combination with cannabis. These drugs are used to treat major depression, anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), ADHD, fibromyalgia, and many other conditions. Venlafaxine and Duloxetine are SNRIs that have low side effects and are not subject to drug interactions.

MAOIs Tricyclic antidepressants

The antidepressants we have covered so far are generally considered to be safe and cannabis friendly. But what about the antidepressants

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors, or MAOIs, an antidepressant drug that is sometimes considered “old-fashioned”. They are not typically the first medication that a doctor will prescribe. They are used in the treatment of depression and other psychiatric disorders; however, they pose many problems regarding interactions. It is not strongly recommended that you take cannabis alongside them. In fact, there are several food items that you should not eat while you are taking this type of medication.

Tricyclic antidepressants, such as trimipramine and amitriptyline have also been reported to interact with cannabinoids. These drugs are not as common as they once were. There have been reports that cannabis has been linked to anxiety and tachycardia.

Medicinal and recreational use

Regardless of what medication you are taking, antidepressant or not, you should always be cautious while consuming other substances. This includes alcohol, other the counter medication, cannabis and other recreational drugs.

Your doctor should inform you of anything that you should avoid while taking medication prescribed to you. However, depending on country, they often neglect recreational substances. Always do a little additional research to check that what you are doing is safe. Even if it is deemed safe, it does not hurt to exercise a little extra caution when you take new medication, and it may just save your life.

Cannabis light provides health benefits without the high.

When we talk about cannabis, the likely association is with the psychoactive substance, the kind we see in stoner movies. However, there is not just one single product or form of cannabis. When it comes to the plant alone, there are three species we can look at. These are cannabis sativa, cannabis indica, and cannabis ruderalis. 

Hemp is a variety of the cannabis sativa plant. It contains a lower amount of THC. THC is the psychoactive substance that gets people high when they smoke weed. THC is the primary chemical from the plant that defines the legality of products derived from cannabis plants. THC is for the most part, an illegal substance.

Tetrahydrocannabinol

Tetrahydrocannabinol, known more commonly as THC is a psychoactive substance. It can alter the user’s state of consciousness and change their perception of the reality around them. Space can be mildly distorted, and time often feels slow. This makes marijuana a drug that can affect the functioning of the central nervous systems. This can cause feelings of euphoria, but also the opposite, causing anxiety, and even depression. THC stimulates the receptors that are connected to motor skills and sensory perceptions, which in turn generates those “high” feelings. 

Cannabis is not a physiologically addictive substance. However psychological forms of dependence and addiction are possible, despite what many will tell you. It is not a particularly dangerous drug by any stretch. However, regardless of our opinions on the subject, it is still largely illegal around the world. Although, perceptions of the substance are generally becoming more tolerant.

Cannabidiol

Cannabidiol, or CBD products, on the other hand, are legal and widely available in many countries. Generally, laws requires that a maximum amount of THC must not be acceded by any CBD product. This is often 0.2%. This means that these CBD products cannot be considered as drugs in this sense. The small amount of THC that can be found in these products is counteracted by CBD and is not enough to produce any of the intoxicating effects that we talked about.

Many studies continue to be conducted regarding the health effects of THC use on short- and long-term health. Even though a therapeutic use has been approved by medical supervision, it is important to understand any potential health risks, particularly for minors.

Applications of cannabis with THC

Cannabis light describes a product with very low levels of THC. It is often legal, and it is sold in both physical and online shops for customers all over the planet.

Cannabis light with its’s higher CBD and almost non-existent THC content, has some positive effects on the body. Legal hemp can also be used to create cosmetic products such as anti-inflammatory creams and skin oils.

The anti-inflammatory properties of cannabis light are the most well-known medical uses. Medical studies have shown that CBD can produce an interesting anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect. It might not be surprising that cannabis can be used to treat pain in patients with very serious illnesses.

Some medical studies have shown that cannabis light can slow down the progression of Parkinson’s disease and other neurodegenerative diseases like multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis. Another property of medical cannabis, that does not contain THC, is its ability to prevent the formation of cancer cells. This would make it a promising new area of treatment for chemotherapy.

The relaxing effect could also lead to cannabis light being used in areas such as post-traumatic stress disorder, mild anxiety, panic attacks, depression, and insomnia. In addition, stimulation of the munchies could be used to control eating disorders and appetite loss.

Medical and recreational use are not the same

There is a significant difference between recreational use and the use of marijuana in a controlled and continuous medical treatment program. You should avoid conflating the potential medical benefits with casual recreational use.

It is important to remember that not all forms of cannabis are yet legal in most countries. To be certain of the quality and legality and the cannabis product purchased, you should only contact licensed dealers.

Sarah Halimi: How a French anti-Semitic killer escaped a French trial

A legal dispute in France has erupted following the refusal to prosecute a murderer on the grounds of insanity.

Sarah Halimi was a Orthodox Jew. She was 65 years old retired doctor and a former preschool director. In April 2017, she was beaten and thrown to her death from her flat in northeast Paris. The attack was has been widely considered to be antisemitic.

Kobili Traore was the man who brutally took her life. He was her neighbour and Malian Muslim. The vicious attack lasted from 20 minutes up to half an hour and culminated in him throwing her out of the window, resulting in her tragic death. He chanted verses of the Qur’an and shouted “Allahu Akbar”, meaning “God is greatest” in Arabic.

The court, however, will not be trying the man for murder on the grounds that he had experienced a “psychotic episode. The decision that was made by Cour de Cassation, France’s suprme court of appeal. The judges in the court ruled that the man had lost all ability to make rational decisions. The decision has recieved a large amount of backlash primiarly but not entirely from France’s Jewish community. The response was also mirrored outside the Jewish communtiy in France, but as

However the reason for this ruling was that the man had under the influence of cannabis. According to the court, his voluntary use of cannabis was irrelevant to his loss of control. Judges said that the cause of madness has no impact on the ruling as long as the insanity was proven. Confirmation came from independent psychiatric analysis.

The court decided that Kobili Traore shouldn’t be tried in court, and instead should remain in the secure hospital he had been keeped in since he comitted the crime.

Some believe that this decision could have dangerous consequences

The public’s anger is rooted in both emotion and reason. Thousands have protested in in and outside Paris against the decision.

Aude Weill Raynal, a lawyer, said to not ask her to explain the unexplainable. She stated that “taking drugs in most cases is an aggravating factor. But here, it is considered extenuating.”

The ruling may have created a dangerous precedent, where a murderer can be excused with the claim that they lacked discernment as a result of alcohol or drug abuse.

This is especially relevant due to the high rate of cannabis use amongst perpertrators of antisemitic crime. However cannabis use is additionally prevalent in those who guilty of terrorist attacks. This is the greatest and most obvious argument against the decision.

Similarly, being under the influence results in harsher punishment when someone is tried for a causing a traffic incident. Even when no incidenet has occured somone is guilty of making the decision to drive, or operate heavy machinery under the influence. We do not deem someone unable to make that decision.

In the majority of murder cases, the fact that the murderer has taken drugs or drunk alcohol does not prevent them from going to trial. Even when there is a temporary loss of control, or confusion. It is not uncommon for it to lead to a harsher sentence.

Expert opnion is the imperative deciding factor

Expert opinion is what makes the Traore case different. Two of the three psychiatrists who examined Traore concluded that his sense of smell was not only altered (as it would if he had smoked a joint) but completely eliminated.

Traore has brain damage from more than 10 years of substance abuse causing permanent damage. According to most experts, he suffered a severe psychotic attack that night. He feared he was the persuit of demons.

“The crime was the crime of a madman” was said in justificatory statement. They followed up by saying that they don’t judge the mad in France.

This leads to the second argument against the ruling. It concerns the role of experts before the courts. It’s a joke to regard psychiatry as a ‘science’ on which to base supposedly neutral decisions in court, said philosopher and former minister, Luc Ferry. “The psychiatrists disagreed between themselves”. Some argue that it shouldn’t be possible for the collective expert opinion to not be unanimous.

The root emotional cause of the anger is the belief that the court’s decision was predetermined. They feel that the investigation did not address the true nature of the attack from the beginning. This was both antisemitic, and if it wasn’t planned, it certainly stemmed naturally from Traore’s cultural and religious prejudices.

It is not enough to agree with an expert’s findings when you ask for one. It is important to consider all possible sides. This can only happen in a trial. He said that justice is not the job of experts.

A judge from Nancy, Jack Broda, has resigned over the Halimi ruling. He said that magistrates who were conducting the investigation gave too much importance to psychoiatry.

Attempting to change the law

Some believe that the French justice systems have a left-wing bias; they tend to favor the poor, black or Muslim population and minimize the crimes against the Jew. This is unspurisingly, a controversial and contested issue.

The Cour de Cassation affirmed the murder to be antisemitic, although many campaigners felt that it was a ploy to placate public anger towards the lack of a trial. Some question the legitimacy of an official antisemitic killing, which implies intent. However, it can also be the result of a man who is confused. It is difficult to determine intent.

A murderer in France can legally be declared insane, even if he took the drugs that destroyed him judgment voluntarily. This is the what the current law upholds. Some want to change the law in response to this judgement and some members of the French government are already attempting to do exactly that.

However, it is unfortunately too late for Sarah Halimi’s family.

Potential in Cannabis spray to treat aggressive form of brain cancer

An oral cannabis spray can provide a genuine benefit to those suffering with brain cancer. Does this sound farfetched? Cannabis is often glorified as a sort of miracle substance with unlimited application and potentital. So is this another wild conjecture by cannabis enthusiasts? In a British study, scientists are examining for the first time whether cannabis-based sprays can be used to treat brain tumors. And this world first study has actually produced promising results.

Every year in England, glioblastomas, the most aggressive variant of brain cancer, is diagnosed in more than 2200 people. Despite all medical attempts, it almost always comes back. No amount of therapy and surgery conistently prevents it from returning. From the initial diagnosis, patients are generally expected to live less than less than 18 months. For this reason there is large interest in finding new alternative treatments. As there is evidence to suggest that cannabis has anticarcinogenic properties, there is potential in exploring this avenue.

Research and funding

Researchers will be testing the addition of GW Pharma’s Sativex to a currently used chemotherapy drug called temozolomide, to see how it could help treat patients suffering from relapsing glioblastoma. They will evaluate it’s potential to prolong the lives of thousands.

After a 25% drop of revenue from Covid-19, the charity had to suspend its regular program of research grants. Brain Tumor Charity launched an appeal to raise £450,000 (€530,000 or $630,000), to cover these costs.

The University of Leeds has funded the trial and a team of researchers is leading it. The research was coordinated by the Cancer Research UK Clinical Trials Unit in Birmingham.

Experts hope that Sativex will be added to the NHS as a treatment option for patients with glioblastoma if the trial is successful.

New avenues opened for brain tumor treatment

Sativex, an oral spray, contains the psychoactive compound tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) as well as cannabidiol (CBD). It is one of the three cannabis-based drugs that are currently being used by the UK’s NHS, or National Health Service. The drug is already seeing use in the treatment of multiple sclerosis.

A preliminary study in 27 patients with glioblastoma has shown promising results. However, plans are in place to recruit more than 300 patients in the UK for a larger research project. The health service and cancer charities have banded together to find a way to support brain tumors. If the Phase II funding is available, the trial will involve 15 NHS hospitals.

Dr. David Jenkinson, interim chief executive officer at the charity, stated that they hope that the trial will open the door to a long-awaited lifeline for patients with glioblastoma. It could give them precious extra time to live and create memories with loved ones.

Can legal cannabis really help reduce opoid abuse?

According to University of Pittsburgh research, statistics are suggesting that legalizing cannabis for recreational may be resulting in a temporary drop in emergency room visits as a result of opioid abuse.

In recent years, the opioid epidemic has increased in speed in the USA. In Europe, the number rises in some countries, while it falls in others. Overall the number is relativelystable. The opioid epidemic in the United States has been getting steadily worse for the last several years. Opioid abuse is killing more than 80,000 Americans each year.

On the other side of the recreational drug spectrum, we have cannabis. Cannabis is general consider to be almost entirely unharmful and the world is trending towards more progressive policies on the substance. 19 out of 50 states in the USA have legalized recreational cannabis to date. This means that more than a third of America’s population can now access recreational cannabis.

So why does this matter? There may be in answer to the opoid ciris in legalization of cannabis. The medical journal, Health Economics, published data that showed a decrease in use opioids use among males between age 25 and 44 in states where cannabis is legal.

Coleman Drake, a professor of health policy and management at Pitt Public Health, said that “it’s a real and welcomed trend in public health.”

Legalisation of Cannabis has already provided relief to the Opioid Crisis

A team analysed data from emergency rooms that dealt with opioid abuse between 2011 and 2017. This included 4 states that legalized recreational marijuana during this period. As a control, the remaining 25 states were used. This is what the analysis revealed:

In the six months after the new legalisation law was implemented, there was a 7.6% drop in opioid-related emergency department visits in legalized states.

The largest regular consumers of cannabis are men between 25 and 44. As such, the reduction we saw is most noticeable in men in this age range.

The rate opioid abuse emergency room visits persist for over 6 months and the rate of visits has not risen again since. This suggests that cannabis not only reduces opoid abuse, but the effect on opioid consumption is stable and longterm. It also further suggests that cannabis is in fact, not a gateway drug to heroin and other opoids. We could extrapolate this and conclude that it is not a gateway to any other susbtances however this study provides no direct evidence to support or deny this claim.

These results, taken together, add to the evidence in the literature and confirm that cannabis is an effective opioid replacement for pain relief: “Cannabis may relieve pain in those who use opioids but not cannabis. It is of course not an opioid treatment but this is a positive result. We should consider it good news for the public’s health.

Lidl Introduces Cannabis Cookies In New Cannabis Range

Starting next week, Lidl will be selling “cannabis cookies” in Germany. The supermarket chain has reached a million euro deal with The Green Dealers.

These cookies will not be the only “cannabis” products that Lidl will sell. The German supermarket giant will offer 21 promotional products in total. These include cannabis energy drinks, hash brownies and more, in addition to the aforementioned cannabis cookies.

The distribution company for Euphoria is The Green Dealers. It was founded in November last year. Arnim von Brunn (one of the shareholders and managing directors) names the Hemp Taste and “interesting Presentation” as the reasons to purchase cannabis products. In fact, the products that you will be able to find on Lidl shelves are not intoxicating at all.

No Lidl ProductS Will Contain THC Or CBD

The products Lidl will sell contain no CBD and no THC. Euphoria, a Czech company that produces the products, offers a large selection. This includes some products that do actually contain cannabidiol, or CBD. Although this active ingredient is believed to have anti-cramping and anti-inflammatory effects, amongst others, it does not have any psychoactive properties.

CBD is a legal substance to buy and sell in Germany, at least within certain regulations. Companies are not responsible for any risks associated with the sale of CBD products in the country. However, the products that Lidl will sell in Germany contain no CBD.

The psychoactive cannabinoid in cannabis is Tetrahydrocannabinol, commonly referred to as THC. It is the chemical in the substance that induces the cannabis high. It is of course, an incredibly popular substance around the globe, regardless of whether it is legal or not. It is illgeal not available for purchase in Germany, just like in the rest of Europe. Although again, like many other European Countries, it is legal for medicinal purposes.

All of Euphoria’s products contain negligible amounts of THC that are within the legal limits set by the European Union.

The Euphoria Million Euro Deal

1.5 million Eurphoria products have been delivered to supermarket chains in the past week, according to The Green Dealers. The company will generates millions of euros worth of revenue.

Brunn, the managing director, predicts that 2022 will see approximately 5 million euros in revenue. The company would be especially excited if marijuana legalization was implemented. There is a massive potential for revenue if a law to legalise the substance were to pass.