To date, no cannabis infused animal or food products have been approved by the FDA, nor should anyone expect to see that happen until cannabis is legalized on a federal level. However, the agency has approved a handful of drug products containing cannabis for medical use. Cannabis advocates consider this to be great progress in terms of accomplishing the mainstream acceptance and legitimization of the weed. These are what the drugs are: Marinol – used to treat the common, well known side effect of nausea as brought on by chemotherapy treatment in cancer patients. This is also used to combat weight loss in AIDS patients as the medicine is taken to help spur the appetite. Available in a capsule form. Syndros – also used to combat nausea and/or weight loss, available in a liquid version. Cesamet – another drug to help fight severe nausea in chemotherapy patients, containing synthetic Delta 9 THC. Epidiolex – designed to treat pediatric seizure disorders, Dravet syndrome, and Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome, this is a CBD based medicine. Since it is CBD as opposed to THC based, the medicine is not classified as a controlled substance, unlike the previous three drugs. Additionally, since hemp became FDA approved with the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill, hemp seed oil, protein powder, and hemp seed are generally recognized as safe for human consumption. That said, cannabis, in general, is still in flux in terms of FDA approval. While the lack of federal legalization is a driving factor, another reason is that new cannabinoids are simply being discovered more quickly than the legislation can keep up. There are now more than 100 known cannabinoids to date, when not too long ago, there only two or three. Federal regulatory agencies have a lot of work to do to catch up and stay current. Sources: FDA, WebMD, Drugbank Online, FDA, Congress.gov, National Library of Medicine

The FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research has produced guidelines for research into cannabis-related ingredients that may make potential drugs. The document covers the drug review and approval process, including clinical trials, that must be followed by research teams working with cannabis compounds. Botanical raw materials, extracts and highly purified substances of botanical origin are included within the scope of the new guidelines. However fully synthetic versions of substances that occur in cannabis are not included, as these are already regulated the same as other fully synthetic drugs. The guidelines also lay out the approved sources of cannabis that investigators are allowed to use. For cannabis containing more than 0.3 percent of the psychoactive ingredient THC, the FDA confirm that this must be sourced from the National Institute on Drug Abuse’s (NIDA) Drug Supply Program (DSP), which is still the only domestic federally legal source. However the 2018 Farm Bill legalized hemp plants containing less than 0.3 percent THC, so researchers can now access hemp that meet this specification from any manufacturer. Though the new guidelines offer useful clarity for researchers investigating cannabis compounds as drug candidates, they are still notable for their absence of any guidance on CBD oil. Already a big sales ticket item across the US, CBD exists in some sort of semi-legal limbo land. While the Farm Bill legalized hemp, it did not legalize CBD, moving its enforcement from the Drug Enforcement Administration to the FDA. When the FDA approved the epilepsy drug Epidiolex, which contains CBD, it subsequently told companies that they cannot not add the ingredient to food or drink or make health claims for its use in topicals. The FDA is currently in an open-ended consultation period over CBD that should result in the agency finally issuing regulations for its legal marketing. “There are many questions to explore regarding the science, safety, effectiveness and quality of products containing CBD, and we need to do our due diligence,” an FDA spokesperson told website MarketWatch in written comments. The FDA has issued warnings in situations where companies marketing CBD as supplements made unauthorized claims about cancer, arthritis and other diseases. Sources: MarketWatch, FDA, Marijuana Moment

A recent article published by NPR addresses the rapidly growing number of females using cannabis during pregnancy. Those with tough pregnancy side effects are more likely to use the drug to ease their morning sickness and aid in unwanted weight loss. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning against this common trend, saying that they "strongly advise" women, both pregnant or still breastfeeding, against using cannabis of any form, as it has the potential to pose serious risks. This advisory includes CBD. Photo Source: Pixabay.com The FDA cites current research that shows that the psychoactive part of the cannabis plant, THC, can cross the placenta and hinder fetal brain development, and that exposure to the drug can result in an increased risk for premature birth. Further, there is evidence that THC can be passed from mother to child through breastmilk. Much of the research done in the evolving field of cannabis and health has found conflicting results. Doctors and researchers alike are in the early stages of exploring this drug and the long-term health effects it could have on the human body. While initial studies supporting a link between marijuana and premature birth were not conclusive, more recent studies have proven that the relationship exists. A recent study assessed the data of more than 600,000 pregnancies in an Ontario hospital between the years 2012 and 2017. The data found that 1.4% of these women self-reported using marijuana during pregnancy to their doctor. Researchers compared women of similar socioeconomic backgrounds and with similar alcohol and tobacco usage. They found that those that used cannabis during pregnancy had a preterm birth rate of about 12%. Those that did not use the drug during pregnancy had a preterm birth rate of roughly half (6.1%). Photo Source: Pixabay.com Researchers and the FDA have yet to find a specific amount or frequency that would begin to cause adverse effects. So at this point, the best they can do is to warn against using the drug entirely during pregnancy until they know more.

The US Food and Drug Administration has approved Epidiolex, a cannabidiol (CBD) oral solution, to treat seizures linked to tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC), a rare genetic disease that causes benign tumors to grow on the brain and other organs such as the eyes, heart, and lungs. Occurring in around 1 in 6,000 people, TSC typically affects the central nervous system. Aside from seizures, it is also known to cause developmental delay and behavioral problems. Previously, Epidolex had been approved to treat seizures from two rare forms of epilepsy: Lennox-Gestaut syndrome (LGS) and Dravet syndrome (DS). It is also currently the only FDA-approved drug to contain a purified substance derived from cannabis. Prior to approval, Epidolex underwent a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial where 148 patients out of 224 received the drug. The purpose of the study was to measure the difference from baseline in seizure frequency. In the end, the researchers found that patients treated with Epidolex had a significant reduction in the frequency of seizures during the treatment periods than those on the placebo. The effects were seen within eight weeks and remained throughout the 16-week treatment period. The most common side effects form the drug in patients with TSC included diarrhea, elevated liver enzymes, decreased appetite, fever, sleepiness, and vomiting. Less common side effects for patients, regardless of condition, include liver injury, reduced weight, anemia, and increased creatinine, a sign of impaired kidney function. Given its potential for negative side effects (findings from a human trial showing that between 5% and 20% of patients receiving the drug suffered from liver damage), extreme care is needed for those who take it. As such, after prescription by a physician, parents, caregivers, and families are advised to monitor any unusual changes in mood or behavior, including worsening depression and suicidal thoughts, among those taking the drug. Sources: LabRoots, Medical News

Everyone has an opinion about cannabis, and scientists are no exception. However, in the science community, opinions on the plant’s inherent value tend to be more extreme. Researchers are typically either very pro-cannabis, or very against it. Why is that? One of the biggest reasons is that there is simply not enough unbiased, scientific data yet available to guide healthcare professionals, scientists and consumers on the pros and cons of cannabis use, and how to truly evaluate the plant. Cannabis is still illegal federally, which makes it very difficult to study, although the new Medical Marijuana and Cannabidiol Research Expansion Act is attempting to change that. The plant does not typically undergo placebo-controlled testing, collecting data-based evidence; a process that is typical of other medications. Some scientists strongly believe in the healing and therapeutic qualities of cannabis, sometimes minimizing – or not acknowledging – any downsides, including those of addiction. At the same time, some scientists are vehemently anti-cannabis, believing that the plant is harmful, addictive, and provides no inherent value to one’s health, despite growing evidence to the contrary. So, what is the truth? Most likely, it lies somewhere in between. The FDA has approved a number of cannabinoids to treat conditions such as anorexia, nausea in cancer patients, and to prevent seizures in patients with epilepsy. At the same time, cannabis potency has skyrocketed in recent years, posing potential health risks for all types of users. Furthermore, the healing properties of certain cannabinoids has been greatly exaggerated in many products on the market. Currently, scientists are stressing the need for randomized controlled trials to get more definitive hard data; using safe, manufactured cannabis products, products that have been tested and fully disclose what they contain. Once these trials become more widespread, scientists will be able to study areas such as pain relief from cannabis, intoxication effects, potential addiction risks, and additional health benefits, and be able to make unbiased recommendations to consumers. Sources: Congress.gov, CMAJ, American Heart Association, FDA, NBC News

According to Leafly.com, the unofficial source of all things cannabis, the Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is starting to catch up with the business of cannabidiol (CBD) - containing products. In this specific case, the FDA is trying to get a handle on CBD oil regulation. As of now, CBDs have been classified as dietary supplements. However, until it goes through FDA processing, it cannot be called a drug, claim it treats or heals conditions, and provide dosage information. Will this be difficult on the CBD industry? Most definitely so, as to be cleared as a drug requires multiple tests, including clinical trials, could make their product more valuable than those who do not. Photo source: UnSplash.com Lowell Schiller, the FDA’s acting associate commissioner for policy, published a Federal Register Filling last week. Within it, he states, "While the use of cannabis and cannabis-derived products, including hemp and hemp-derived products, has increased dramatically in recent years, questions remain regarding the safety considerations raised by the widespread use of these products.” FDA will not allow CBD companies to claim any medical or treatment claims on its label unless it has gone through the FDA's screening process. This includes both animal studies and clinical trials and can be a costly and long process. While this may be a setback for the industry, ultimately it could be a boon for CBD companies because to be able to claim safety and efficacy may place their product ahead of the competition. A federal register filling is not to be confused with the passing of a regulation. Actually, it is a public announcement to allow citizens to weigh in on the idea. In fact, the meeting for this filling is scheduled for May 31st near Washington DC. So, if you are motivated enough, YOU, dear reader, have a chance to have your voice heard. The official filling's purpose is to "obtain scientific data and information about the safety, manufacturing, product quality, marketing, labeling, and sale of products containing cannabis or cannabis-derived compounds". Comments can also be submitted online or by mail. Photo source: UnSplash.com This is a well-welcomed decision for clinicians and patients. Doctors may recommend CBD oil to their patients at their discretion, but they cannot prescribe these as medications because the FDA has not cleared it as a drug. FDA clearance will also provide dosage recommendations and which dose should be used to treat a particular condition. Also, this is beneficial in terms of research purposes. As of now, there is still very little research to support or discredit medicinal claims by CBD companies. The research that would be required for FDA clearance would provide a better understanding of how CBD works, and, more importantly, whether it works at all. Sources: Leafly, Federal Register, regulations.gov, WebMD

Very recently the President of the United States signed a new federal law called “Right to Try”. The intent of this bill is to allow individuals with grave illness to use non-Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved means of treatment for their illness or symptoms. Patients at this point with their diagnosis or disease have very few options for treatment before death; this bill allows them to utilize treatments not otherwise legal or available to them. Interestingly enough, medical cannabis is still not an option under this new law for some places in the United States. Each state’s interpretation of the new “Right to Try” law can be done based on that state’s individual needs and other existing laws. Since there are some states that refuse to recognize that medical cannabis is valuable and a safe alternative to many other drugs more dangerous than the plant, those states and patients still cannot utilize cannabis as legally as part of Right to Try. Nebraska is one of those states. The leaders of the state have declared medical cannabis illegal and even those dying in their state cannot try it as a last resort under this new law. They indicate this is because the federal government still considers it a schedule 1 drug with no medicinal value and an extreme danger to society under the Controlled Substances Act. Some states are more adamant than others. Many states, in fact, are looking at this issue closely; more than 35 other states are evaluating Right to Try legislation. Utah has passed Right to Try legislation specifically directed towards medical marijuana under this new law. The others have not yet. Medical cannabis is still, as of yet, not included in these ideas per se. It’s not, not included, however. It’s very vague. How does this make you feel as a citizen, wherever you happen to be? Should terminally ill patients be able to choose what they try despite the approval status by the FDA or the Drug Enforcement Agency if you are in the United States? Before looking into this topic, it was assumed that medical cannabis would be included in this legislation. It was a workaround for a small group of people fighting for their lives. Unfortunately, medical cannabis may still get left behind as an option in many locales. The dangers of utilizing it against the law involve potential legal ramifications that are too costly after the financial burden a terminal illness creates for individuals and families. While there is still a lot to research and learn about cannabis as a medicine, there are solid reasons for considering it part of a potential arsenal for treatment and use therapeutically. It has been shown to help with pain from terminal illness (cancer) and is even disguised in a drug currently expected to be approved by the FDA in the coming months (Epidiolex). The FDA is actually set to approve the plant based cannabidiol drug for epilepsy; drug companies see this opportunity and yet options are limited for others who don’t have the deep pockets for getting through FDA approval process. Tough to swallow when the plant and forms of cannabinoid medicines are out there and available as well. If not an option for the terminally ill, then when is a good time to allow people to try this potentially effective, and natural alternative to what is out there now? Sources: Herb, cannabadger, life matters media, Lincoln Journal Star,

Twitter bots (accounts controlled by software instead of people) are spreading false claims about the medical uses of cannabis, a new study in the American Journal of Public Health shows. Researchers from the University of Southern California found that bot accounts shared health claims about cannabis more often than real accounts during an eight-month span in 2018. Many of the bots stated that cannabis can be used to treat health issues like cancer, Crohn's disease and plantar fasciitis, EurekAlert reported. "We're in a period of time where these misleading messages are pervasive online. We want the public to be aware of the difference between a demonstrated, scientifically-backed piece of health information and claims that are simply made up," Jon-Patrick Allem, study lead author and assistant professor of preventive medicine at the Keck School of Medicine of USC, said. He said he and his colleagues are concerned that the false bot-driven messaging will influence public beliefs and decisions around cannabis use. The researchers involved in this study analyzed a sample of tweets on cannabis each week between May and December 2018. They then used the “Botometer” tool to explore which accounts were most likely bots. They also coded the tweets by subject matter and thus discovered how much false medical information bots were sending out. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has only approved medical cannabis use for a few situations and illnesses, such as pediatric epilepsy, nausea and vomiting related to chemotherapy, or for appetite stimulation for people who have AIDS or HIV and are dealing with weight loss. "The next step will be to examine the self-reported levels of exposure and beliefs in these claims and perceived risks and benefits of cannabis use, intentions to use and actual use,” Allem said. Story sources: American Journal of Public Health EurekAlert

A new review from the University of Colorado discusses the potentially dangerous yet increasing trend of pregnant individuals using cannabis to help with symptoms like nausea and vomiting. While elements like THC and CBD are currently undergoing clinical evaluation for their anti-emetic effects, and some synthetic derivatives are FDA approved to treat nausea and vomiting during cancer treatment, like chemotherapy, cannabis itself can potentially negatively impact fetal health. The prevalence of pregnant people reporting cannabis use has increased by 62% from 2002 to 2014, with this review reporting between 19 – 22% of patients in Colorado and California testing positive at the time of delivery, with stark differences in usage across socioeconomic groups. While the research is ongoing, studies have shown that consuming cannabis while pregnant increases the likelihood of admittance to the neonatal intensive care unit as well as the potential for premature delivery in general. Cannabis use during pregnancy has also been linked to the development of ADHD and anxiety later in adolescence. So why are people still using cannabis when it may be dangerous? Study author Karli Swenson, a Graduate Research Assistant at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, aims to find out by reviewing recent national research. The results showed a few common themes and rationales as to why a pregnant individual may consume cannabis: To help with pregnancy symptoms like nausea and anxiety, No legal restrictions on selling cannabis to pregnant people, A lack of warnings on products (as there are on alcohol and tobacco products), Online forums spread false information about cannabis safety during pregnancy. Not only did the study discuss rationales as to why one might use cannabis while pregnant, but also why people may not self-report the use to their doctors, primarily the very real risk of legal repercussions. The risk and stigma are real and likely lead to under-reporting among patients. Swenson writes that “cannabis consumption is increasing in a pregnant population, that pregnant patients fear legal and medical repercussions of reporting their consumption, and that there are multiple contact points with pregnant patients that could be better utilized to improve patient education.” You can read the entire review here, including patient and physician recommendations. Journal of Cannabis Research, JAMA, JAMA (2), Obstetrics & Gynecology, Pharmacology & Therapeutics,

Tests conducted by the US Food and Drug Agency (FDA) have found that 55% of cannabidiol (CBD) products contain significantly more or significantly less of the compound than indicated on their labels. The agency also found that almost half of CBD products contain THC, the psychoactive compound in cannabis. In late 2019, the FDA was asked to conduct a sampling study of CBD products to determine their labeling accuracy. This led the agency to analyze 147 randomly-selected products and measure their levels of 11 cannabinoids, including CBD and THC. These products included oils, capsules, edibles, drinks, and pet products, bought from places where you can buy cbd oil online. All in all, tests revealed that while 18% of the 102 products tested for CBD had significantly less of the compound than indicated on their packaging, 37% had substantially more. At the same time, 49% of these products also contained THC, even though they were not supposed to. From the 20 edible and beverage products tested, five had less than 80% of the CBD indicated on their labels, and six had over 120% of that mentioned on their labels. Only two products claiming to contain CBD did not contain any at all. "The FDA's recent report on the labeling accuracy of cannabidiol (CBD) products further affirms the need for federal regulatory clarity," says Betsy Booren, senior vice president of regulatory and technical affairs at the Consumer Brands Association. "Allowing bad actors to continue to put products on the market, unchecked, is a threat to consumer safety everywhere. The consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry applauds FDA's efforts and urges Congress to provide more funding and resources to FDA to move quickly through this process." The FDA's overall takeaway is that more testing is needed. As the data collected is from a limited sample size, they stress that it should not be used to draw too many conclusions about the overall marketplace. For that, they say that a long term study is needed to include a larger number of products form more retail sources. Sources: Food and Wine, Food Dive

Cannabis use disorder, also known as CUD, is described as the addiction to cannabis, with approximately 14 million cannabis users in the United States afflicted with CUD. At the time of this writing, 38 states, three United States territories, and the District of Columbia have legalized cannabis to be used for medicinal and/or recreational purposes. Given the growing amount of cannabis legalization taking place in the United States, these CUD numbers will undoubtedly continue to rise. However, there are currently no FDA-approved drug treatments on the market to combat CUD or other forms of cannabis addiction. But a recent study published in Nature Medicine hopes to change that, as a team of researchers have found a candidate drug, dubbed AEF0117, developed to combat the effects of CUD has been successful in a Phase 2a clinical trial. The study was a collaboration between the Columbia University Irving Medical Center and the French biopharmaceutical company, Aelis Farma, and holds the potential to help cannabis users afflicted by CUD control their urges to use cannabis. “We have tested over a dozen potential treatment medications in our Cannabis Research Laboratory, and this is the first to decrease both the positive mood effects of cannabis and the decision to use cannabis by daily smokers,” said Dr. Margaret (Meg) Haney, who is a professor of neurobiology in the Department of Psychiatry at Columbia, and lead author of the study. “Patients seek treatment when they have difficulty controlling their cannabis use despite the problems it is causing at work or in their personal lives. Our findings suggest AEF0117 has great potential for treating problematic cannabis use.” For the study, the researchers had 29 participants consume two randomized doses of AEF0117 and a placebo each over a 5-day period with the primary goal of monitoring cannabis-related positive mood effects. In the end, the participants self-reported their experiences, and the researchers found a 38 percent reduction in positive mood effects while also demonstrating decreased cannabis use, as well. Next steps in this research will be a Phase 2b study that will involve 330 participants over a two-year period at multiple examination sites and multiple dose levels of AEF0117. What new discoveries will researchers make about how AEF0117 impacts CUD in the coming years? Only time will tell, and this is why we science! Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Department of Health and Human Services, Nature Medicine, Aelis Farma, EurekAlert! As always, keep doing science & keep looking up!

The Sicilian government will now foot the bill for many patients using medical cannabis. Sicily’s top health administrator, Ruggero Razza, announced in early 2020 that the government would pay for prescribed medical marijuana for certain conditions. This autonomous region of Italy (one of five) now joins other governments in the European Union in subsidizing a large portion of their citizen’s cannabis treatments. Patients with cerebral palsy, chronic or neuropathic pain, or multiple sclerosis can qualify for free medical marijuana. It will be sourced from pharmacies in Agrigento, Catania, Palermo, Ragusa and Syracuse, Italian media outlet Lasiciliaweb reports. The Czech Republic and Ireland also offer similar programs providing cost-free prescribed cannabis. Medical use of marijuana has been legal on this Italian island since 2013, while recreational use remains outlawed. But, in late 2019, Italy joined the growing list of countries, including Canada, Uruguay and others, where small-scale marijuana cultivation at home for personal use is legal. “It’s a very important decision because it will shield from prison those who choose to cultivate marijuana for personal use,” Leonardo Fiorentini, a representative of the drug policy advocacy group Forum Droghe, said at the time. As High Times reported, most of Sicily’s medical cannabis comes from the Netherlands. Some also comes from Canada via the company Aurora Cannabis, which also supplies Luxembourg and Ireland’s governments. In the U.S., insurers generally do not pay for medical marijuana, even when legal and prescribed by a healthcare provider. Two key reasons for this are that, federally, cannabis is not considered a medicine by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and it is still classified as a Schedule 1 substance under the Controlled Substances Act. Select synthetic marijuana drugs like Marinol are FDA-approved and covered by some insurance companies. Article Sources: High Times The Local Europe AB Lasiciliaweb

New research has found that the vast majority of legal cannabis products across the US are stronger than necessary for pain relief. Although many may interpret this as a good thing, researchers warn that such high levels may produce unwanted negative side effects among users. Many earlier studies have found that concentrations of up to 5% tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive ingredient in cannabis responsible for both pain relief and intoxication, is sufficient to reduce pain from chronic disorders, while maintaining minimal side effects. When conducting their study however, the researchers from Wake Forest School of Medicine in North Carolina, found that most cannabis products have much higher concentrations of THC, potentially putting patients at risk of developing cannabis-use disorders and other negative side effects. For the research, Alfonso Edgar Romero Sandoval, associate professor of anesthesiology at Wake Forest School of Medicine, and his team recorded THC concentrations and cannabidiol (CBD) concentrations from 8,505 cannabis products from 653 dispensaries across California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington. Comparing concentrations of both THC and CBD between the products, they found that over 70% of the products had THC concentrations of 15% or more, with most of the others advertising THC concentrations exceeding 10%. Given that between 60% and 80% of medical marijuana users use the substance for pain relief, the researchers worry that the higher concentration of THC entails a greater risk both for developing dependency and tolerance. This means that over time, users gradually require higher and higher concentrations to achieve the same effect, putting them at even further risk of developing cannabis-related disorders. This comes in particular following research from 2019 finding that higher THC concentrations may be linked to greater rates of psychosis, as well as lower levels of CBD, suspected to have antipsychotic properties. Romero-Sandoval said, “It can become a vicious cycle...Better regulation of the potency of medical marijuana products is critical. The FDA regulates the level of over-the-counter pain medications such as ibuprofen that have dose-specific side effects, so why don’t we have policies and regulations for cannabis, something that is far more dangerous?” Sources: SciTechDaily, PLOS and New Atlas

As we learn more about the cannabis plant, the science community becomes more excited as to all the health benefits that weed may provide. Researchers have discovered more than 100 different cannabinoids, when they once thought that there were only two. One of the most important issues they want to address is the over reliance on highly addictive opioids to manage pain, especially chronic pain. As opioid addiction has become a public health crisis, finding alternative methods of pain management is crucial. It’s not only THC and CBD that scientists want to study; also CBG, CBN, CBC, THCO, and Delta 8, as preliminary research indicates that cannabinoids are hugely helpful in managing pain. Scientists are frustrated, however, that federal law has not kept up with the science. Current federal regulations prevent scientists from studying the plant as freely as they would like, so the research faces roadblocks. The federal government still considers cannabis to be a Schedule 1 drug. That makes it illegal to produce or have in one’s possession, at least at the federal level. As it currently stands, the FDA has approved just a handful of cannabis based treatments for medical use, and there is only one government approved cannabis research farm in Mississippi. Scientists hope to develop FDA-approved, non-addictive, cannabis-derived pharmaceutical products for pain management. In addition to the cannabinoids, the plant also contains hundreds of additional naturally occurring chemicals. Experts believe these also have medicinal value. Until the DEA and other governing entities help to push legislation forward that will allow for more research, progress will continue to be slow. Additionally, product regulation will lag as well, perpetuating the wild west culture that still exists throughout much of the cannabis industry. When the laws change, we can look forward to seeing more breakthroughs when it comes to the plant and pain management. Sources: Marijuana Moment, FDA, University of Mississippi

Since marijuana has been listed as a Schedule I drug since the 1970s, many still hold reservations about its use for medical conditions. In fact, you may have some commonly held misconceptions about the plant and what it can do. Some of these may have stemmed from information or misinformation on recreational cannabis and some may have come from personal anecdotes or other stories you have heard. Here, we clear up some of this confusion by discussing some of the most common misconceptions of medical cannabis: “There’s no real proof that medical cannabis works; that’s why the FDA hasn’t approved it.” Both of these statements are incorrect. Based on a wide range of research, cannabis has been shown to have numerous medical benefits – however, it is true that most of this research has been conducted in pre-clinical animal models and not in humans, though human trials are underway. This is mostly due to the difficulty of conducting research on humans with a drug whose use is tightly restricted. Many people don’t know that the FDA has actually approved three medical cannabis products for cancer patients to address side effects of chemotherapy. And cannabis products for pediatric epilepsy are also making their way closer to regulatory approval. Within the next few years, the FDA is expected to begin reviewing more medical cannabis products that are currently in testing. “I quit smoking so I can’t use medical cannabis.” When people think of recreational cannabis, they often think of someone smoking a joint or inhaling marijuana smoke through a vaporizer. But these are not the only methods available to consume medical cannabis. In fact, there are quite a few different ways – through consumption of food made with cannabis, oils and tinctures of the plant extracts, or topical applications. It’s important to note that, while these methods can be advantageous for people who do not want to ingest smoke, consuming cannabis in these different forms can impact its effects. Talk to your doctor or medical cannabis dispensary to learn more about which method might be best for you. “I’ll be high all day.” This is also a very common misconception that likely comes from use of recreational cannabis. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the chemical found in cannabis that produces the “high” or euphoric effect of the plant. Those using cannabis for medical purposes may not find this effect favorable. If you’d like to benefit from the other effects of cannabis, consider trying cannabidiol (CBD) instead. Unlike THC, CBD does not cause a “high” feeling and may be easier to take during the day without disrupting your memory or cognitive processes. Consider using only CBD or using a THC/CBD mixture. “Marijuana is not legal in my state so I can’t use medical cannabis.” This one can be quite tricky – medical cannabis (and recreational cannabis) laws are changing very quickly throughout the US. In some states, recreational cannabis is illegal but medical cannabis is legal. However, each state has the right to approve the specific conditions for which patients can use medical cannabis. If you are interested in taking medical cannabis, check the laws of your state and talk to your doctor about whether you might be a good candidate. “Prescription drugs are safer than medical cannabis.” All substances, whether legal or illegal, can pose safety concerns for patients -- but that doesn't mean that you shouldn't use a prescription drug, or medical cannabis, if it can improve your health. Before taking any substances or using interventions for a medical condition, it is very important to first talk to your doctor – that way, your doctor can provide recommendations on treatments that might be helpful for you based on your condition and any other medications or considerations that should be taken into account. But don’t be afraid to try something that could be beneficial – just remember to talk to your doctor first.

Under federal law, cannabis is illegal and considered a class 1 drug, meaning that it is perceived to have no medical value, with a high potential for users to abuse the drug. However, in the United States, 11 states have legalized the recreational use of cannabis, and 33 states have legalized its use for medical purposes. The use of cannabis remains completely illegal in the states of Idaho, South Dakota and Nebraska. Further, derivative compounds of the cannabis plant have been approved by the FDA to be prescribed to patients suffering from certain disorders, making the cannabis landscape even more challenging to navigate in regard to where officials stand on its legality. These derivative compounds include Marinol (THC), Syndros (THC), Cesamet (nabilone), and Epidiolex (cannabidiol). The complexity on the legal side of things has the potential to create great confusion amongst the general population. A recent article from Forbes says that the sharing of misinformation online and through social media could exasperate this confusion. Thomas LaVeist, dean of the School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine at Tulane University, says that "the amount of misinformation in social media is a very serious threat to the public's health." Photo Source: Pixabay.com "Cannabis Surveillance with Twitter Data: Emerging Topics and Social Bots," a new study from the University of Southern California published in the American Journal of Public Health, states that many unsupported claims are being made regularly on socials about the health benefits of cannabis. The study identified that bots are posting false information that goes against scientific research and facts. Due to the significant role that social media plays in how people receive their news, this is a real spreading of misinformation that could lead to harmful consequences. "We have seen the impact of people adopting believes that can be harmful to their health, such as claims that vaccines cause autism or that cell phones cause brain cancer," says LaVeist. "If people act on this false information, they might fail to take actions that protect health, such as getting an annual flu shot. Last year more than 8,000 Americans died from the flu." The study is concerned that people will take the information shared on social media about cannabis as truth without doing further research, and potentially opt-out of seeing a medical professional when needed. Another concern is the lack of awareness of the adverse effect of this drug. "While proponents of legalizing cannabis say that the drug is safer than alcohol, repeated cannabis use is associated with the potential for cannabis dependence, other substance use disorders and increased risk of schizophrenia, among individuals with a specific genetic makeup," explains Dr. Jon-Patrick Allem, assistant professor of research at the University of Southern California. Sources: Forbes, American Journal of Public Health

A recent study published in Tobacco Control suggested that current Food and Drug Administration (FDA) oversight of the American vaping industry is likely to have minimal impact. The study analyzed the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warning letters sent to vaping companies to determine the nature of current e-cigarette regulation. The researchers coded FDA warning letters to indicate a company type (retailer, manufacturer, or distributor), location (domestic or international), and types of infractions such as PMTA (premarket tobacco product application), selling to minors, advertising to youth or packaging violation/mislabeling). The study categorized product type (e-liquid, device, or both), flavor (including fruit, candy, tobacco, menthol/mint, and concept flavor). The study also noted a range of consequences for infractions such as civil money penalties, product seizure and injunction, product detention and refusal of entry to the USA, no-tobacco-sales order, and criminal prosecution. A total of 303 letters were coded (126 from 2020 and 177 from 2021) and analyzed. 97.4% of the letters were sent to small online retailers. A majority of the companies were located in the U.S. (94.1%). Reviewing a company’s website resulted in identification of 75.2% of the infractions. 70.5% were Premarket Tobacco Application (PMTA) violations. At the time of the review, a majority of the websites (72%) cited for 2020 infractions 29% of websites cited for 2021 infractions were still operational. PMTA for each year were also analyzed. 55.6% of 2020 infractions were PMTA violations whereas most 2021 infractions were PMTA violations. In this process, the letters cited 880 products. Over 92% were e-liquid products including 32.4% fruit and 31.1% concept flavors. The FDA sent warning letters to more small online retailers than larger brands, and they focused on products like disposable vapes most often used by youth. The research suggests FDA is failing to target key players or products marketing to young people. Although the FDA’s Juul product ban appears to be a significant step towards reform, many believe the FDA should impose strict regulations on products responsible for increased youth vaping rates. Sources: Eureka News Alert, Tobacco Control

Cannabis researchers in the U.S. have often had their research efforts frustrated by the difficulties in being able to access marijuana and marijuana products. The problem has been that privately grown cannabis—even from state-licensed and compliant manufacturers—was not allowed in FDA-approved clinical trials. Instead, investigators were only allowed to obtain whole-plant cannabis from a single source: the University of Mississippi, which since 1968 was the only federally licensed source of cannabis cultivated for research purposes. The good news is that change is afoot and quickly, following a September 9, 2020 vote by members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee to amend Congressman Earl Blumenauer’s HR 3797 bill: “The Marijuana Research Act of 2019”. The amended legislation expedites an approval process for newly-allowed federal cultivation applicants, and provides scientists with the option to utilize products manufactured by these state-licensed sources, not just the old official source. “The bipartisan support of our legislation in [this] committee mark-up is an important step in removing unnecessary barriers to medical cannabis research and ensuring that patients, clinicians, and consumers can fully understand the benefits and risks of cannabis,” Rep. Blumenauer said. Deputy Director Paul Armentano from the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) added that the new bill will “facilitate and expedite clinical cannabis research in the United States and provide important data regarding the safety and efficacy of real-world products.” He added: “Rather than compelling scientists to access marijuana products of questionable quality manufactured by a limited number of federally licensed producers, federal regulators should allow investigators to access the cannabis and cannabis-infused products that are currently being produced in the legal marketplace by the multitude of state-sanctioned growers and retailers”. Scientists have consistently criticized the poor quality of the University of Mississippi’s plants, which they say fail to accurately reflect the varieties of marijuana commercially available. For example scientists have only been able to select six varieties of pre-rolled cannabis cigarettes—none of which possess THC concentrations above seven percent—from the federal government’s marijuana menu, and tinctures and concentrates have not been available for clinical study at all. Source: NORML

Legal cannabis is still new enough that we are continuing to see many “firsts.” These “firsts” have moved the industry along so quickly that legislation has struggled to keep up. This has been especially prevalent in science, though that is now starting to change. The first medical marijuana research bill has just been approved, which shows promise of being a game changer. If passed into law, the Medical Marijuana and Cannabidiol Research Expansion Act would substantially increase studies on the plant. Universities, private firms, and pharmaceutical companies would be allowed to secure DEA licenses enabling them to grow and handle cannabis for research. Scientists are strongly in favor of the legislation, as they feel the current cannabis supply available for research is low, as well as poor in quality and low in potency. Furthermore, since cannabis is still classified as a Schedule 1 controlled substance, access to any supply is that much more hampered by red tape. In addition to clearing the way for more research, the legislation would provide further benefits. Doctors would be allowed to discuss the pros and cons of cannabis with their patients. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services would be allowed to research cannabis’s potential for healing, how the plant affects teenagers’s brain development, and driving ability. The legislation, if passed, would also open adjacent research opportunities: Since there are so few FDA approved cannabis-based products currently on the market, there little unbiased information available about the pros and cons of cannabis, as well as little information as to how cannabis interacts with other medications. This includes dosing and method of delivery. All signs indicate that President Biden will soon sign the bill, so we can start to look ahead as to the research that will become available in the coming years as to both the pros and cons of the plant. Sources: MJBizDaily, DEA, Senate.gov

A group of Australian clinical experts have developed consensus advice about medical cannabis recommendations for patients living with epilepsy. Epileptologists, clinical pharmacists, pharmacologists, and cannabis researchers compiled data to help clinicians decide how and when to recommend cannabis products. The advice was published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology in an effort to establish guidelines for supporting patient-doctor discussions about cannabinoid treatments, dosing, potential drug interactions, and seizure management efficacy. Many epilepsy patients are interested in trying medical cannabis for different reasons. Some patients find that traditional Anti- Epileptic Drugs (AEDs) such as keppra, clobazam and lamotrigine do not effectively control seizures, or they cause severe side effects such as depression, lethargy, increased heart rate, and mood swings. The consensus advice provides a critical foundation for establishing the most effective treatment plans. Treatments should take into consideration age, weight, seizure frequency, and other health factors in order to identify the most effective CBD:THC ratios for an individual. Studies have shown that high CBD and low THC products reduce seizure activity and increase seizure threshold, so many clinicians recommend starting with small doses of high cannabidiol (CBD), low tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) for children with severe, intractable forms of epilepsy like Dravet Syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome. In studies comparing seizure control efficacy of full spectrum cannabis oil and Epidiolex (a purified CBD isolate FDA-approved for intractable childhood epilepsy), full spectrum oil proved to be more effective in reducing seizures. This consensus advice will be updated as more research studies on cannabis-based epilepsy treatments are conducted. Senior study author Jennifer Martin explains the importance of these guidelines for the epilepsy community: “In the absence of a registration dossier, scientific experiments and case reports are helpful to provide some guidance to optimized dosing.” The consensus advice will play a critical role in advancing medical care and quality of life for many epilepsy patients. Sources: British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, Eureka Science Alert

A new report in the journal Pediatrics gets the conversation going on a much under-reported area: sick children being administered cannabis. The report describes the approach of one hospital—the Children’s Hospital, Colorado—to the issue. At this facility, medics don’t themselves prescribe medical marijuana to patients, but kids inevitably come along who are already taking it. (Where the law stands in Colorado is that children under 18 can use cannabis if two separate physicians certify to a medical need, and parents give consent.) Knowing that some kids may end up hospitalized who are being given cannabis under the radar, the hospital created a consultation service to give families information and create a culture of openness around the drug. "[We didn’t] want to just say, 'no, you can't do this in the hospital,' because that's not right," Dr David Brumbaugh, the hospital’s associate chief medical officer told HealthDay in an interview. Also, Brumbaugh added, families might continue to use it without telling medical staff, which could of course cause drug interactions and endanger a child. The Pediatrics paper documents the experiences of the first 50 children who have been seen by this new consultation service, 80 percent of whom had cancer. Parents who were giving medical marijuana, or thinking about it, were usually seeking help for dealing with their child's nausea and vomiting, appetite loss or pain. The majority of the 50 children were taking CBD (cannabidiol) only products, but this doesn't necessarily mean the products are safe, especially given the FDA found recently that almost half of CBD products actually contain some THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the psychoactive compound in cannabis. In fact, of the 50 unwell youngsters, consultations deemed medical marijuana potentially unsafe for 64 percent, almost always because of possible interactions with their medications. Parents were often advised to change the timing of the medical marijuana, to make interactions less likely. In one-fourth of cases, the advice was to avoid the products altogether. Such ventures as the Colorado Children’s Hospital one are to be applauded as, so often, cannabis use is covert. While the drug is legal both medically and recreationally in many states, it's hard to study, because federal law still deems it a schedule 1 drug—meaning no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse. Source: HealthDay, U.S. News & World Report

You probably know about Delta 8 THC by now; the hemp derived THC that is a slightly weaker alternative to the traditional Delta 9 THC that is considered mainstream. The popularity of Delta 8 has surged due to legal loopholes that exist in most states throughout the country. And health experts are becoming increasingly concerned, as Delta 8 is now becoming more available in more places. While Delta 8 is naturally available in hemp, it is in minimal quantities. As a result, manufacturers produce synthesized Delta 8, derived from CBD. Most of the Delta 8 available on the market today is synthesized. And this concerns health experts. There is little to no regulation in Delta 8, let alone the synthesized version. Studies have found contaminants in Delta 8 products. The range of contaminants is wide and varied and includes heavy metals such as lead and mercury. Trace amounts of Delta 9 THC have also been found, in some instances, in synthesized Delta 8. Hence the health advisories. Both the CDC and FDA have issued warnings as to what can happen if a user ingests Delta 8, including everything from hallucinations to vomiting and more. Delta 8 is simply not subject to the same controls as Delta 9 is in the legal cannabis industry, so according to experts, Delta 8 is just not as safe for consumption. It is all about the regulation – health experts are not advocating for outlawing Delta 8, as users will still find ways to get ahold of it and consume it. But regulation, which also comes with education, is what health experts hope to see in the coming months. As with all other forms of cannabis consumption, the user should always know what is in their product, and how it will potentially affect them, prior to consuming it. Sources: New York Times, US Cannabis Council, American Chemical Council, CDC, FDA

You may be wondering, with all of these changes in marijuana laws occurring around the country, is anybody monitoring these products? In terms of medical marijuana especially, is the government keeping tabs on them? Recently, as was reported previously in this newsletter, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved for the first time a drug called Epidiolex which contains a purified drug substance cannabidiol. It was approved for the treatment of seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome or Dravet syndrome in patients 2 years of age and older. That means the FDA has concluded that this particular drug product is safe and effective for its intended indication. Source: pexels.com Yet that is the only prescription drug derived from the actual cannabis plant to go through the FDA approval process, which means it went through clinical trials to determine its efficacy and safety just like any other drug on the market. Three other drugs based on synthetic forms of delta-9- tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) have also been approved: Marinol and Syndros for the treatment of anorexia associated with weight loss in AIDS patients, as well as a drug called Cesamet. The FDA does not take sides when it comes to approving a particular drug. If the data shows that a new drug is safe and effective, then there is no reason to stop an FDA approval. So why have so few drugs made it to market? The issue is with other federal agencies, such as the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and the National Institute for Drug Abuse (NIDA). And there lies the problem. Source: Pixabay.com Marijuana is a Schedule I drug, meaning that it is considered to have no medicinal purpose. Heroin and LSD are also Schedule I (interesting tidbit, cocaine is Schedule II drug because it has numbing properties and can be used as a local anesthetic). Research on marijuana or any of its chemicals, such as THC and cannabinol, is very difficult for scientists. It is costly and requires increased scrutiny by the DEA. Furthermore, researchers are limited to government-grown pot from either NIDA or the University of Mississippi, the lone government-sponsored lab the US to grow marijuana. Hence, many potential medications utilizing marijuana-derived compounds are just not making their way down the pike. So what about marijuana itself, does the FDA have an issue with that? The answer is no. The FDA will approve any legitimate drug or botanical that meets its strict criteria for market approval. And just because it's a plant does not mean that it cannot be approved. In 2004 the FDA finalized its guidelines for botanical drug products. Witchhazel is an example of an approved plant substance. So when can we see FDA approval of marijuana? Well, if the science supports its efficacy and safety than it has no reason to bar approval. The FDA is not involved in legality issues. The main problem is there are just too many regulations and restrictions for researchers, both academic and commercial, to bother with developing a drug or studying cannabis itself as a medicinal product. The research required by the FDA is very costly and can take up to 20 years. Many developers are hesitant to invest so much time and money on these drugs only to see them fail at the end. The FDA definitely has the mandate to do that. Sources: Rollingstone.com, Labroots.com, US Food and Drug Administration

As the still-young cannabis industry adapts to becoming a legal one, it still has a lot of catching up to do in several areas from the black-market days. Product labeling is one of them. Several labels exist that are supposed to inform consumers as to the nature of the cannabis products they are buying. For example, indica, sativa, and hybrid are familiar labels that have been around awhile, long associated with providing certain types of effects upon consumption. However, current labels do not accurately represent the effects of most cannabis products on the market, nor do they inform the consumer as to what they are buying. In some cases, the labels are misleading. One study found that the labels indica and sativa are meaningless. A recent study of almost 90,000 samples across six states concluded that product labels do not consistently align with the chemical diversity of the products. One of the issues is that while marketers are required to disclose how much THC and CBD are in a product, they are not required to disclose information about any other compounds. This includes details on terpenes, which influence the smell and overall effect of the THC and/or CBD in a product – which is also called the entourage effect. As a result, researchers are calling for a new cannabis product labeling system that is like the FDA’s nutrition facts panel for food, which would provide a more comprehensive representation of the cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids in cannabis products. Furthermore, as researchers are discovering more cannabinoids as the industry evolves, a more accurate labeling system is timely. In order for the weed business to be taken more seriously as a mature industry, it needs to either adopt or create better and more consistent standards as what is in the products on the market. Sources: Dalhousie University, PLOS One, Curr Neuropharmacol, Eureka Alert

A new analysis suggests that if you buy up a CBD-laced beverage you might not get what you were expecting. Not that any of the products were harmful—just that most didn’t contain the amount of cannabidiol promised on the label. The research was carried out by Leafreport in conjunction with Canalysis Laboratories, a licensed cannabis testing facility based in Las Vegas. 22 CBD beverages from 20 brands available in the USA were tested to determine their exact CBD (cannabidiol) content. Out of all 22 drinks, only four had a CBD content that was within 10 per cent of the level advertised on the label. Twelve drinks (54 percent of tested products) contained less CBD than advertised, including two that registered no cannabidiol content at all. Six drinks contained more CBD than stated on the label, with one containing over 30 percent more. In all, over 80 percent of all products differed from their advertised CBD content by more than 10 percent, and 61 percent of the products differed from their labels by over 40 percent. The study also noted that there was no difference between smaller, more niche brands and the bigger national CBD-infused drinks in terms of their accuracy—both were just as likely to be off. This report follows on from others that have also found inaccurately labelled CBD products—an FDA investigation found illegal psychoactive THC levels in CBD oils including one with a THC content of 30 percent. A study of UK products also found that more than 50 percent of CBD products did not match the cannabinoid content advertised on their labels. The current report issues a disclaimer, explaining that test results may vary and that the findings should not be seen as “conclusive, complete, error-free, or at all times methodologically or scientifically accurate”. Nothing contained in this report should be construed as a recommendation to use or refrain from taking any product, they add. Sources: Merry Jane, Leafreport

The U.S. House recently revised and passed an updated version of a cannabis research bill, which could significantly affect how the science community works with the plant. The Medical Marijuana Research Expansion Act, if approved by the Senate and the President, would be a quantum leap forward in terms of weed research. The Act would jumpstart cannabis science research, as well as the related drug development, as one of the biggest changes would instituting deadlines in which regulatory agencies can approve scientists’ applications for clinical trials. The legislation would also require that the U.S. Attorney General actively solicit applications from the science community for the research and trials. It would also stipulate that a timeline be instituted for the application process. Licensed scientists would now have access to cannabis flower and other products that they have long been denied for research, as long as the flower and products are legally produced according to their respective state guidelines. This would be a considerable catalyst in weed science on the university level in legal cannabis states. The bill, if passed, would also require agencies like the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services to report on the therapeutic benefits of CBD and THC in serious health conditions. The FDA would be permitted to analyze CBD and medical THC containing products, and publish conclusions available to the public so that potential buyers can make more informed purchasing decisions. The biggest takeaway from this pending legislation, if passed, is not only would it apply deadlines to approving agencies, but it would do more to raise the profile of cannabis research overall. The Act would help ease and eventually eliminate the bias that has long been applied to studies in weed science. This lack of bias would help to further legitimize the plant’s image overall, and spawn all sorts of new business opportunities, many of which would be in areas that no one can yet predict. Sources: Congress.gov, hhs.gov, MJBizDaily

Many cannabidiol (CBD) products are assumed or advertised to be free, or mostly free, of Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). A new study finds this is not always the case. THC and CBD are very similar in chemical composition but can have different positive and detrimental effects on the human body, which are still under investigation. They are also regulated differently by the U.S. government. All of these variances between the compounds make the findings of a new study important for people producing, consuming or regulating these products. Recently, researchers from the chemistry lab Ellipse Analytics in Denver, Colorado, tested 250 of the most popular over-the-counter hemp-derived CBD products and found that 46 percent of them also contained THC. Hemp-based CBD products that contain less than 0.3 percent of THC were federally legalized in 2018 through a Farm Bill. While similar federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulation has not yet materialized, CBD has flooded health and wellness markets and now reaches tens of millions of people in the U.S. Testing of CBD products often reveals high levels of THC not disclosed on labels, along with chemicals like synthetic cannabis or diluents, which may be unhealthy for consumption, Merry Jane reports. "In the absence of a federal definition of THC-Free, consumers are essentially being misled to believe their CBD products are free of THC," Senior Vice President of Innovation and Operations at Ellipse Analytics Dr. Sean Callan told Market Insider. He also explained that his lab tested one CBD product that did contain less than 0.3 percent of THC, but, at the same time, 78mg of THC were in the product. “To provide context, the maximum amount of THC that a brand can have in a single recreational marijuana product in Colorado is 100mg,” he said. You can learn more about the discoveries of THC and CBD and how they are different and alike in the short video clip below. Article Sources: Merry Jane, Howcast, Market Insider

Following New York and California, Washington State has now banned hemp-derived CBD in food and beverages sold outside of licensed cannabis retailers, Leafly reports. Restaurants, grocery stores, bars, coffee shops and other businesses in Washington are no longer allowed to sell CBD products. While the 2018 farm bill legalized hemp (a member of the cannabis family) and hemp-products federally, the legal use of CBD in food and beverages is still undecided. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will make this decision. It is currently considering the issue and expected to rule during 2019. In the meantime, whether this new ban will take affect quickly or be implemented thoroughly is up for debate. The responsibility to enforce this regulation in Washington is shared by the Department of Agriculture, which handles rules for producers and warehouses; and the 39 separate county health departments that handle retail operations. “Part of the challenge here is just overcoming misinformation around what the impacts of the 2018 farm bill were,” Steve Fuller of Food Safety and Consumer Services within the Washington Department of Agriculture said. He added that outreach and education will be the department’s first priority, and that some recommend responses to the new rule may be as easy as changing a product label, so that it no longer directly suggests food use. However, he adds that failure to comply or cooperate or on behalf of companies could lead to more “aggressive” enforcement. People in Washington who are 21 or older can still buy CBD- (or THC-) infused edibles from stores holding a current license to sell cannabis. Learn more about the farm bill, hemp and its uses in our article, “The Science behind Hemp.” To better understand the use of CBD in food and drinks, check out the NBC video below. Article source: Leafly