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EDITORIAL It’s time to say goodbye to stigma! Page 3
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OPINION ARTICLE The role of cannabis in neuropathic pain. Limary Rios-Camacho, MD Page 4
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CANNAGROW SECTION -The genetics behind cannabis varieties. Page 6
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IN THE EXPERT’S ROOM: -A conversation with Matteo Mantovanni. Pharmacist at San Carlo Pharmacy, Ferrara, Italy. Page 9
Our magazines CannaMed and CannaLaw, are dedicated to the therapeutic and legal regulation areas of cannabis respectively, they have decided to join forces to offer you a new biweekly magazine about cannabis: Cannabis World Journals. CannaMed magazine and CannaLaw magazine are now sections of Cannabis World Journals, you can find two brand new sections along wih these, in order to provide a global look on the plant: we are talking about CannaTrade, with the goal of revealing the rhythm of the business established around cannabis; and CannaGrow, dedicated to the botany and cultivation of the cannabis plant. Cannabis World Journals is the most complete magazine about cannabis for demanding readers like you. Without further ado, receive the warmest welcome to Cannabis World Journals. Enjoy!
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CANNALAW SECTION
-United States: delta-8 THC boom and controversies. Page 14 -Pandemic, cannabis, and the potential to recover from crisis. Page 16 -The United Nations recognized the medical properties of cannabis. What does this mean?. Page 18 -CBD is on its way to the Tokyo 2021 Olympic Games. Page 20
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CANNATRADE SECTION -Corporations: the starting point for the growth of the cannabis industry. Page 23 -Cannabis Market: segments, value and expectations. Page 25 -Reddit and cannabis stocks. Page 26
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CANNAMED SECTION
-Anti-Cancer Potential of Cannabinoids, Terpenes, and Flavonoids Present in Cannabis. Analysis of the article by: Tomko, A. M., Whynot, E. G., Ellis, L. D., & Dupré, D. J. (2020). Anti-Cancer Potential of Cannabinoids, Terpenes, and Flavonoids Present in Cannabis. Cancers, 12(7), 1985. https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers12071985. Page 29 -Cannabis “up close”: PINENE. Page 31
EDITORIAL
It’s time to say goodbye to stigma! The cannabis industry does not stop and this is frequently reflected in the different headlines of the media around the world. The media agenda is a reflection of what society is facing or could face in the future. The public opinion is formed by the influence of the media, which is why people are becoming more and more aware of the benefits offered by the Cannabis sativa plant. A few years ago, cannabis was mostly known for its highly psychoactive compound, THC; nowadays a large part of the world population knows that the plant contains various compounds with therapeutic properties that can help alleviate symptoms even in chronic diseases. In other words, the cannabis plant has positioned itself in the therapeutic area, which is why a large number of experts describe it as an important part of the medicine of the future. We begin this editorial stating that “the cannabis industry does not stop!”, because in addition to its scientifically proven medical properties,
cannabis has other benefits to offer at an economic and cultural level, which is causing this industry to grow vertiginously; a clear example of this are the countries with regulation for medical cannabis and industrial hemp, which is a raw material for the production of up to more than 5,000 products; on the other hand, countries such as Canada, Colombia and Uruguay have shown that multiple jobs can be generated through the different uses of cannabis and its derivatives. Nowadays, we do not talk only about the use of cannabis for therapeutic purposes, instead we talk about the "cannabis industry", because the population is more aware of the potential that the plant and its derivatives represent, generating an unstoppable industry worldwide and each country has to decide if it wants to be a part of this business.
For years, cannabis was stigmatized; has time been wasted because of prejudice? Probably, however destigmatization and fast advances in the industry indicate that it is possible to make up this time and enter this great industry quickly and successfully.
Editorial Team Cannabis World Journals
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OPINION ARTICLE
THE ROLE OF MEDICAL CANNABIS IN NEUROPATHIC PAIN Out of all the people suffering from pain in the world, approximately 20% suffer from pain of neuropathic origin; this type of pain has been defined as pain caused by an injury or disease of the somatosensory nervous system (Pain. 2016; 157 (8): 1599-1606). Causes of neuropathic pain include: infections, postherpetic neuralgia, nerve entrapment, diabetes, alcoholism, HIV, vitamin B deficiencies, peripheral neuropathy, phantom pain, stroke, chronic inflammation, cancer, and more. The most common symptoms are chronic or paroxysmal and include burning sensations, stabbing, shooting, sharp and intense pain, numbness, tingling, electricity, painful anesthesia, allodynia (abnormal perception of pain born from a stimulus that is usually painless). The traditional management for the treatment of neuropathic pain is through the underlying cause, the application of tricyclic antidepressants such as Amitriptyline, SNRI antidepressants such as Cymbalta; anticonvulsants such as Gabapentin, Carbamazepine; painkillers such as Tramadol
and creams such as Capsaicin, on the other hand, among the alternative treatments are vitamin D as adjunctive therapy and medical cannabis. But how does medical cannabis work to treat neuropathic pain? It is well known that neuropathic pain is very difficult to treat, medications that are prescribed for the treatment of other types of pain (for example, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or opioids) are not very effective; studies suggest that cannabis may be effective to relieve symptoms of neuropathic pain. “The term medical cannabis refers to the doctor-recommended use of the cannabis plant and its components, called cannabinoids, to treat diseases or improve symptoms. Chronic pain is the most common reason for the use of medical cannabis. Cannabinoids act through receptors, but also through ion channels and enzymes (Frontiers in Pharmacology)". Cannabinoids, particularly CBD and THC, can help reduce neuropathic pain by modifying cellular activities and by reducing low-grade inflammation.
OPINION ARTICLE
What are the therapeutic effects of cannabinoids? THC provides pain relief, appetite stimulation, vomiting and nausea reduction, and spasm suppression, CBN provides pain relief, muscle spasm suppression and helps falling asleep, CBD provides pain relief, inflammation reduction, stimulates appetite, reduces vomiting and nausea, relieves anxiety, helps in the management of psychosis, suppresses muscle spasms, increases the effectiveness of the immune system and prevents the degeneration of the nervous system. CBC offers pain relief and inflammation reduction. CBG provides pain relief. There are multiple advantages of the use of cannabinoids in the treatment of these conditions and various pathologies, for example, there is no risk of respiratory depression, a consequence that can occur with opiate overdose.
Limary Rios-Camacho, MD DISPENSARIES 420 Director Medical cannabis educator
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CannaGrow
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CannaGrow <<pure variety>> is one that has grown in the wild without human intervention, one that has not been crossed and/or hybridized with other cannabis parents. These can sometimes be considered as native subspecies of a geographical area, which naturally developed growth patterns, genotypes, phenotypes and unique chemicals, that led to a high heterogeneity in their traits with genetic traces dating back more than 10,000 years. By including the plant in his consumption, man began to use domestication techniques to create
the first anthropological crosses. Similarly, the first varieties found are the "LANDRACES" which refer to varieties originating in specific places such as India (e.g. Hindu kush), Mexico (e.g. Acapulco gold), Colombia (e.g. Punto rojo), among others. Landraces can be considered the first line of domesticated cannabis, they are the genetic basis for the number of varieties found today, since thanks to them it was possible to make an improved selection that gave rise to hybrid seeds. In the genealogical tree, the successors of the Landraces, they are the first homozygous filial generation, the F1, "these are the first hybrids of domestication or those resulting from a cross between two plants" (Cervantes, 2007). For example: “Master kush (1) and Durban poison, their offspring will be an F1 hybrid. If this hybrid is crossed with another F1 hybrid from the same lot (a brother or sister), an F2 hybrid is created. Repeating this process creates an F3, then an F4, and so on. From F5, the plants can be considered as an IBL” (Royal Queen Seeds, 2021)
IBL (inbred line) are the descendants of the F5 line of hybridization between plants of the same lineage, in other words, they are the result of a reproduction or crossing made from very identical genotypes. To get an idea "the Skunk varieties were hybridized and selected for their intense and powerful characteristics, and after many generations they derived in the Cheese family, which can be considered an IBL". (Royal Queen Seeds, 2021)
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CannaGrow
On the other hand, when it comes to the reproduction of hybrids with different genotypes, plants called polyhybrids are obtained, in that sense if an F1 hybrid is crossed with another F1 hybrid of different lineage, a polyhybrid is produced, causing a great diversity of genotypic variants, which is why it translates into heterogeneous varieties, in other words, in a large number of strains. Finally, there are varieties that are produced by backcrossing: a cross between a hybrid and an ancestor, to exemplify: “a male Chocolope plant and a female Jack Herer produce an F1 hybrid. If this F1 hybrid is crossed with the original female Jack Herer plant, the resulting strain will be a BX1 (or first backcross). If this BX1 is backcrossed with the original female Jack Herer, it will produce a BX2 (or second backcross), and so on" (Royal Queen Seeds, 2021). The above also explains why after crossing the same varieties of the same lineage, the genotypic, phenotypic and chemotypic expression is different; this is called genetic variability, which is a response of plants to the conditions within a certain environment.
In conclusion, everything that was mentioned before reveals in one way or another, why today we can find so many varieties of cannabis, so many colors, aromas; some with high contents of THC, CBD or other cannabinoids, different range of terpenes and flavonoids, resistance to pests, production of trichomes, resistant to different climates and other characteristics that people create to satisfy different needs.
References
-Cervantes, J. (2007). Marihuana: Horticultura del Cannabis la Biblia del Cultivador Médico de Interior y Exterior (Illustrated ed.). Van Patten Publishing. -Royal Queen Seeds. (2021, 5 mayo). Terminología básica de genética del cannabis. https://www.royalqueenseeds.es/blogterminologia-basica-de-genetica-del-cannabisn907 -Royal Queen Seeds. (2021b, mayo 5). Terminología básica de genética del cannabis. https://www.royalqueenseeds.es/blogterminologia-basica-de-genetica-del-cannabisn907
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Conversation with Matteo Mantovanni. Pharmacist at San Carlo Pharmacy, Ferrara, Italy Cannabis World Journals had a pleasant conversation with Matteo Mantovanni, who is a pharmacist in Ferrara, an Italian city belonging to the Emilia-Romagna region. It is one of the few pharmacies in the country that prepares cannabis-based magisterial formulations for its patients. In this interview he shares his experience and lets us know what Italian legislation and regulation is like for therapeutic cannabis. -Good morning Matteo, to start we would like to know about your experience, could you tell us as a pharmacist, what has been your experience with medical cannabis? Well, first of all, in Italy pharmacies have a Galenic laboratory, in which medicines can be prepared, especially those that are not on the market because the active principle is not found in the desired form or because the patient has difficulty taking the product, so different personalized products have to be prepared. Cannabis in Italy is not a commercial product, it is a finished medicine, so pharmacies can prepare, with a medical prescription, cannabis-based products, which are very different from each other.
In the expert’s room: Interview with Mateo Mantovanni Pharmacist, Cannabis Professional
-You said there are no finished products, what does that refer to exactly? We understand that there are several, one of them the Sativex. Yes, Sativex is a hospital drug and contains THC and CBD. There are few cannabis-based products like Sativex, there is also Epidiolex, which is a new commercial product made in America and authorized in Europe, for the treatment of epilepsy. All of them are products that contain active ingredients from cannabis, in this case Sativex contains THC and CBD; and Epidiolex CBD. But there is no commercialized product that contains the true cannabis extract, by this I refer to all the active ingredients of cannabis, which are many: all the phytocannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids...
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- So can we say that galenic cannabis-based preparations, in addition to being personalized, contain the terpene and flavonoid part of the cannabis inflorescence? Exactly, cannabis preparations are usually divided into two: the preparations that are extracted from the flower,this means that we order the true cannabis inflorescence and make the extracts: in oil, in resin, paper to vaporize... or the preparations with CBD only, but these do not contain all the molecules present in the cannabis plant, only an active principle, the cannabidiol. -There are still many stereotypes and misinformation about therapeutic cannabis. What can you tell me about that from your point of view? Yes, we have been through that, we are going through that and I think we will live it for some time. Unfortunately, for many years cannabis has been considered a drug similar to heroin and cocaine, very harsh drugs that cause irreversible damage to our body.
In recent years, this conception of cannabis has been changing. Also, due to the new laws, here in Italy people are governed by tables called "tabelle" which have also been changed: the table, where cannabis was indicated as a heavy drug, has changed, we are now in a moment of taking awareness about the potential of cannabis. I consider that cannabis as one of the alternatives that the doctors can prescribe among other options. In Italy we have a very positive legislation regarding the use of cannabis for therapeutic purposes, not for recreational use, that's another chapter. Since January 23, 2013, cannabis has been included in a special table and this gives all doctors the possibility to prescribe cannabis for therapeutic use.
-All doctors can do it, but being something so recent, there will surely be untrained doctors that do not know about this therapy and that they have that option. Yes, exactly; because cannabis is not studied in the university, there is no representative of the pharmaceutical company that goes around explaining the
new drug, the mixture of inflorescences and many others. What I have seen since 2013 is that many doctors have started using cannabis for their patients and creating their own knowledge: cannabis is a very observational therapy, it is very clinical based, I react in a way, you react in another way and a different person reacts differently, with the same inflorescence and the same dose, so normally the approach that doctors take, as there are no precise guidelines to date, is to start with low doses and then increase in relation to the desired effect. Since 2013 till now, I have contacted many Italian doctors and they are experiencing cannabis-based preparations in a very positive way, they are refining their knowledge, because they use one inflorescence or another depending on the pathology. There are many inflorescences and each one of them works as a drug itself, one is good for a pathology, for a type of patient... so moving forward and sharing information among all health professionals: doctors, pharmacists, patients, nurses is an advance for these therapies. All professionals who treat the patient always find innovative solutions that work.
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-Are we then talking about a multidisciplinary approach to cannabis therapies? Yes, although we still have a lot of work to do to make this an interdisciplinary team, because as we have mentioned, cannabis treatment is very individual. -How was the beginning of Italian pharmacies making magisterial formulations of cannabis? In Italy we have two options for acquiring inflorescences: we order directly from the military establishment in Florence, where cannabis is grown for therapeutic use, or we order from warehouses, which in turn order from Holland. Since at least the summer of 2013, I remember, one of the representatives of these stores came to the pharmacy to propose this new therapy, because even we did not know that it could be prescribed by a doctor. So by training with other colleagues we saw this potential and from there we started our information and training journey.
In addition to preparing the products, I really like to discuss with doctors who already have an important journey or experience, or with those who want to learn how to use cannabis or start considering cannabis as a therapeutic possibility, so we like to interact with these multidisciplinary teams. - In fact, when you talk to other doctors, especially from other countries, who may have a slightly different experience, you realize that they have all fought against these stereotypes that exist around cannabis. I believe that street cannabis should be differentiated from therapeutic cannabis.
What you have said is interesting because street cannabis is different from the one we use therapeutically: the cannabis used in the pharmacopoeia is grown as a medicine, that is, it is grown by pharmaceutical companies, indoors, in an environment sometimes sterile, without the use of pesticides, and under very strict conditions.
There are no added substances that street cannabis may have with the aim of increasing the “high”, and that can generate irreversible effects on the person. Therapeutic cannabis is a drug, so it must be considered as such, and taken responsibly. There are people who have never used cannabis, so the first time they consume it, they feel high and have the risk of freaking out, then it is necessary to explain that it is a side effect that goes away, people then get used to it, but that is not the goal of therapy. The goal of therapy is to make the person feel good. - We are now witnessing a global "boom" of therapeutic cannabis and many believe that cannabis is used for everything, but it is not, so for which disease is pharmacy prepared cannabis used in Italy? Yes, as you said, cannabis is not the panacea for all illnesses.
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The most frequent uses are those related to oncology, for pain, increased appetite, and to alleviate the side effects of other drugs in diseases such as AIDS. Cannabis associated with traditional therapy can improve the patient's condition. Other conditions are neuropathic pain, epilepsy, drug-resistant anxiety and stress, drugresistant pain, this means that the patient has tried all the possibilities, has not found any benefit from it and has no other alternatives. In chronic or neurodegenerative immunological diseases such as Alzheimer's or Parkinson's, it has been observed that cannabis, especially CBD, can have a neuroprotective effect, in very simple terms: it protects neurons, and it protects the brain from those free radicals that can lead to these diseases. It is used in some particular syndromes, such as Tourette syndrome, and in rare diseases that sometimes we do not even
know why it has a positive effect. However, chronic pain or epilepsy are the pathologies that are prescribed cannabis in Italy.
important in therapy. In the animal world this placebo effect does not exist. There is a placebo effect linked to the owner of the animal, but not to the animal itself.
-Now a question a little different, we have been talking all this time about people, but in the veterinary pharmacies, Galenic formulas are made. Since animals also have an endocannabinoid system, do you prepare cannabis for animals?
So, if we give the active substance to the animal and it is well, it means that the symptoms of this pathology have really been treated with said active substance.
Yes, we handle veterinary preparations, including cannabis for medical use. Many veterinarians are using cannabis with animals in drug resistant situations, when traditional therapies do not work or when the side effects are too strong. It is used for pain, to treat spasticity, to treat epilepsy and even to treat some autoimmune diseases.
Therefore, this is a successful conclusion to the fact that cannabis preparations can be used in some types of pathologies. This aspect is absolutely interesting. Placebo effect*: Favorable psychological effect that a substance can produce if the patient is convinced of the action of a certain substance.
I am personally glad that many vets use cannabis because in humans when cannabis works it may be due to the active ingredients, but also because in humans there is an effect called placebo* which is very CANNABIS WORLD JOURNALS | EDITION NO. 3 | 12
-So vets can also dispense cannabis? Yes -The preparations for animals and humans are the same galenic formulation? For human use, the most prescribed preparations are inhalation, in the case of cannabis we prepare small pieces of paper*: the pure inflorescence is inhaled through the vaporizer. We prepare the papers and the patient opens them to put them in the vaporizer, or prepare formulations for oral or sublingual use, these are the extracts in oil or resins, although 90% are oils. For veterinary medicine there are no inhalation preparations, it is not easy to inhale cannabis preparations for an animal, so for animals oral administration is the most prescribed. Also in the veterinary world the approach is always to start with a minimum dose and then increase, obviously compared to the human world it must be taken into account that the weight varies much more in animals, the veterinarian must assess whether he is treating a chihuahua or a great dane.
A person can take 5 or 6 drops per night to see how the body acts, in a small animal even one drop will be enough, then you have to see what is the inflorescence, what is the dose of THC, the dose of CBD and what is the active principle that predominates, if it is high in THC, the dose must be better adjusted to avoid side effects due to psychoactivity, which also occurs in animals. -Could you give me a summary of how the situation was five years ago, where did we start with cannabis and where do we aim with it, or how do you think the situation will be in 10 years? Yes of course. We are all at the beginning of the path of cannabis for therapeutic use, it is an uphill battle and for now, and it will continue to be. But the satisfaction provided by the patient and the clinicians who support it give the necessary strength to move forward. At first many doctors, many pharmacists, many patients did not know the subject: as in all things, the novelty can be scary. There were
* Papers: pharmaceutical forms that contain powdery substances, strictly officinal and artisanal preparation.
professionals who went completely in the transversal direction and others who, with intelligence, wanted to study more to see if it could be a benefit for their patients. In terms of legal and political perception, we have received advertising fines, like other pharmacies, because we mention the word cannabis. You can guess that the opening speech was even more complicated than what is happening these days. It is necessary to clarify that in the therapeutic use of cannabis, there is always a doctor who makes the prescription and there is always a patient who suffers who has already tried many therapies that do not work. This is what we are talking about in Italy and this is what we want to carry forward.
Cannabis for recreational use is another chapter that only has the word cannabis in common. So there are other things to discuss, you can be in favor of one regulation or another, but in any case they are two things that go at different speeds and in two completely different ways.
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CannaLaw
United States: delta-8 THC boom and controversies For some people, the cannabinoid delta-8 THC is still unknown, however; in the United States, it has recently caused a series of legal controversies in some of states. Before detailing them, we know that this compound is only one of the more than 100 identified cannabinoids that the cannabis plant offers. The main advantages of the other compounds is that their psychoactive properties are lower than those of delta-9THC and they also induce fewer anxiety events in high doses.
Additionally, according to the US National Cancer Institute, delta-8-THC has antiemetic properties (reduces vomiting and nausea), stimulates appetite, fights anxiety and has analgesic properties. Despite its therapeutic benefits, its growing popularity has been counteracted by legislative measures in several states. There are already at least 12 states that have banned the use of this component: Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Kentucky, Idaho, Iowa, Mississippi, Montana, Rhode Island and Utah. According to Marielle Weintraub, president of the U.S. Hemp Authority, a third-party product certification body, states will continue to ban THC delta-8 and other similar products because the cannabinoids are considered an intoxicant, a substance controlled by federal law.
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CannaLaw In other words, delta-8 THC that is obtained from CBD derived from hemp, is interpreted as a substance controlled by law. These are also the main reasons behind the measures of states such as New York, which updated its regulations to clarify that the cannabinoid hemp products that are for sale cannot contain synthetic cannabinoids, including delta-8 THC. The consequences of these limiting state regulations or in other cases of outright prohibition is that it has affected the business of many CBD suppliers as delta-8 THC was being sold with great success to consumers. This was stimulating local businesses and also an economic reactivation necessary in a financial crisis derived from the current global pandemic. The solution then should not be to ban it, this will not cause it to disappear from the black market and, on the contrary, the opportunity
to allow the economic expansion of commercial establishments and generate tax revenues on the product is lost, and it would expose the public to obtain in an illicit way a component without certified quality control. Then, again, the dilemma that the United States has had due to the conflict between its federal and state laws is entered. The path is regulation because every chemical substance must have clear regulations on its use, production and commercialization, but banning a product that already exists is as effective as putting on a blindfold and pretending that its consumption will disappear. Its use will continue, it is up to the legislative power of the states to decide whether it will be done in a transparent environment or as it has happened in the past with cannabis, behind closed doors in the dark.
CannaLaw
Pandemic, cannabis and the
the potential to recover from crisis
Despite the fact that the pandemic has been very latent in the world since last year and so far this year; cannabis has not encountered many obstacles to its economic evolution in several countries. Taking into account that the coronavirus has paralyzed many industries and sources of work, for the plant it has represented an increase in sales and great opportunities, since it has not had any problem in making progress in various parts of the world.
Even though the coronavirus has slowed down much of the commercial activity worldwide, the cannabis industry in different parts of Latin America has had no rest in its evolution process, maintaining its international rising cycle between 2020 and 2021 in the midst of so many closures and restrictions caused by the virus.
highlighting that it has great potential in the region. Similarly, countries such as Peru, Ecuador and Brazil are markets with great a potential despite the restrictions, taking into account that in Mexico, which has also suffered from the pandemic, progress has been made in the fight for the legalization of cannabis.
In this sense, the Latin American territory has two great advantages for the development of the industry: cost and history. It is well known that cannabis has been present in cultures of countries such as Brazil, the Caribbean islands, and Colombia. Likewise, it should be remembered that Uruguay was the first to take the step to legalize the plant and has prospered in its exports of cannabis flower to countries like Switzerland in the midst of the pandemic crisis.
On the other hand, despite the serious situation related to COVID-19, the Colombian government has done everything possible to keep the cannabis issue up-to-date, whether in export processes or legality. At the same time, Argentina has also made progress in the medical cannabis industry by approving its use on November 12 through decree 883/2020, which allows self-cultivation and guarantees provision for patients.
It is for this reason that Uruguay has had an encouraging and firm attitude in promoting the benefits and opportunities of cannabis, also opening itself up to the hemp business,
For the United States, the presidential election in November 2020 meant a 180 degree turn for cannabis, since its adult use was consecutively approved in the states of New Jersey, Arizona, CANNABIS WORLD JOURNALS | EDITION NO. 3 | 16
CannaLaw Montana and South Dakota, this means that the north country has made huge progress with cannabis. When speaking of Europe, in addition to Germany, there are markets that are joining, as is the case of the United Kingdom. At the same time, there is a uniform line in terms of laws and regulations, which favors the mobilization of one country to another as a single market despite the fact that it can generate costs.
The market for 2024
According to a report by Latam Prohibition Partners, while the market value of cannabis was USD 168 million in 2020, this amount could reach up to USD 824 million by 2024. Despite spending much of 2020 and so far 2021 in the midst of the pandemic caused by COVID-19, more and more countries are joining the cannabis industry, with opportunities and legal regulations. As well, the virus raised awareness regarding the needs and importance of alternative medicine, and as this happens, market Growth is accelerated.
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CannaLaw
What does the recognition of the medicinal properties of cannabis by the UN imply? For 6 decades, cannabis medicine was relegated, precisely since 1961 when it was included in the list of drugs. In February 2020, the Narcotic Drugs Commission of the United Nations (UN), includes 53 member states, 27 of these voted to remove cannabis and its derivatives from the list of dangerous drugs, while 25 voted against. This pronouncement became a historic statement, since the UN recognized that the plant has healing and therapeutic powers for medical use.
Experts have stated that this decision is the result of the struggle of patients and activists committed to the cannabis cause, being aware that the plant has medical benefits that have helped many people around the world to counteract the symptoms of different chronic diseases such as cancer, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's, among others.
Although the decision of the UN was comforting and encouraging, the panorama has not changed much, but looking at it from the historical point of view it is relevant because the Narcotic Drugs Commission officially showed that cannabis does not have the same harmful effect as other substances that are on the dangerous drug list.
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CannaLaw Exactly a year ago, experts on the subject said that this decision could activate the efforts of legislators around the world as well as encourage scientific research. Although the prejudices towards the plant have been diminishing little by little, a year later the scenario is still the same in many countries of the world.
Before the UN decision, only 48 countries in the world had adopted medical cannabis programs, while Canada, Uruguay and 15 states of the United States have legalized cannabis in all its uses (medical, scientific and recreational). Mexico approved the law for the use of cannabis for medical purposes, while in Argentina self-cultivation of the plant was approved. In countries like Costa Rica, there have been two bills, likewise, Brazil is
taking the same path, where the medical cannabis bill was approved for discussion in the Senate.
The UN is an international body that aims to act as a "center that harmonizes efforts", likewise, its function is to promote social progress, help improve the life quality and encourage human rights worldwide, however, it seems like the UN is not exerting any influence on the issue, since the legislative scenarios continue the debate on the uses of cannabis in their respective countries, while millions of people are suffering from symptoms of different diseases and in some cases, importing a cannabis-based medicine is too expensive for a certain country where self-cultivation is prohibited and there’s no medicine supply from the government, in this way many patients are forced to go to the black market to do their home remedy, others go to associations or clubs dedicated to the extraction of cannabis oil, which are also followed and investigated by regulators for their social work.
The UN decision was celebrated by the international cannabis community, however, a year later the headlines in the press are a serious indication that it did not change the reality that millions of people around the world live, who are forced to buy cannabis in the black market to alleviate their pain, meaning that the laws worldwide do not reflect the reality of society when we talk about medical cannabis.
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CannaLaw
CBD
on its way to Tokyo 2021 Olympic Games
A long way to go... On November 6, 2017, the thirty-ninth meeting of the WHO Expert Committee on Drug Dependence was held, an event that sought to determine the potential for harm or dependence on 16 different substances, including cannabidiol. The report of the World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended not to classify CBD, one of the main active components of marijuana, as a drug, since it has palliative powers in the treatment of chronic diseases as well as for patients with epilepsy. Until 2018, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) which is the regulatory body that establishes which substances are allowed to be consumed by Athletes, prohibited the use of cannabidiol (CBD) along with all other derivatives of cannabis.
Based on the WHO report together with recent research, it decided to remove the ban, taking effect in 2020. The news was a game changer, and with the Olympics Games approaching, many world-class athletes are using CBD products during their workouts. In general terms, CBD has analgesic and antiinflammatory effects. Athletes who already use it do so as an aid for their muscle recovery and to stay on top by improving physical performance.
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CannaLaw Testimonials of its use in sports: A great athlete who started using CBD is snowboarder María Hidalgo who stated in an interview:
“Even though I already knew about CBD and its benefits, I didn't start using it until this year. In snowboarding, the legs can suffer a lot, not only from muscle overload, but also from the bumps or falls that jumping can cause. I use CBD daily to maintain a good physical condition and to be able to train the next day, and the result is immediate. The use of CBD is already well known in my sector, but I would recommend it to any type of athlete. I'm sure that next year there will be a lot to talk about in Europe, as there is more and more interest and professionals who dare to try it both to train and to compete”.
Another testimony is from the famous Spanish professional surfer Aritz Aranburu:
“When they tell you that CBD comes from Cannabis, the typical prejudices come to mind. However, later on you discover that it is a substance with great medical power, safe, highly effective and that it does not create addiction. Surfing has a lot of physical wear and tear, not only the muscular effort you can make, but it also has certain risks and you can always take a hit. After a workout, CBD helps me relax my body and mind. The more consistent you are, the more you feel its effectiveness. Above all, you notice it when you wake up the next day and how the pain decreases. That is why I try to always have it in my daily routine”.
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Legal situation in Japan: Favorable for new projects and sports use.
Nutritional Benefits of CBD
In Japan, although cannabis is currently severely restricted, the use and commercialization of different CBD-based products is allowed; being an industry in constant growth even with local startups like the one from former Miss World Japan, Priyanka Yoshikawa who has just launched a brand of CBD oil for skin care. Another undertaking related to CBD is one of Megan Rapinoe, winner of the soccer World Cup and Olympic gold who was also the Golden Ball in 2019.
CBD has been the order of the day in North American competitions for years, such as the NHL (ice hockey), the NFL (American football) or the MLB (baseball). So, in the upcoming Olympics, athletes will probably not only use CBD in training but also during competition.
Remarkably, CBD significantly affects energy, focus, and mental clarity. The essential amino acids and fatty acids (omegas 3 and 6) that CBD contains are vital since our body does not produce them. These are mood regulators and improve sleep, bring clarity, prevent fatigue and muscle loss. In turn, CBD contains vitamins A, E, C, B1, B2 and B3, and several minerals such as Zinc, Potassium, Magnesium, Calcium, Manganese, Phosphorus and Iron, indicated to improve focus, energy and attention.
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Corporations:
The starting point for the growth of the cannabis industry Following the cannabis regulation processes in different countries, the boom and profitability of investment in the industry has become increasingly assertive. In the last few years, several cannabis companies have become public and a number of shareholders speculate that stocks will rise or fall as legalization progresses in more parts of the world.
Due to its growth, cannabis has definitely gone from being considered a street drug to one of the most important research subject of the moment. With recent scientific discoveries, there is no doubt that it will become a key piece to help patients suffering from chronic pain and other diseases, however, it is not the only benefit, because cannabis is also considered a product, and a raw material for mass consumption. Evidence of this is of its growth compared to last year with a multiplied investment, especially in the creation and distribution of cosmetic products, which became the sector with the most demand in the market due to its benefits and accessible prices.
Following this context, in recent years numerous companies have emerged that have begun to immerse themselves in this rich market with the expectation that over time it will become more and more profitable in more countries. The United States, has 30 of its states with approved medical consumption, and 10 of them with permitted adult/recreational use, as is the case of California, it has become a focus for investment and creation of businesses with cannabis-based products. Big companies, big investments Veteran and long-standing companies such as Canopy Growth, Tilray, The Cronos Group and Aurora Cannabis have served as a benchmark for small corporations planning to join the race to gain a position in the market. For its part, Columbia Care, which is one of the fastest growing corporations in the last year, is considered one of the largest manufacturers of cannabis products in the United States, and has taken a big step this month after closing an agreement worth $42
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CannaTrade Like Columbia Care, several vendors and growers are taking advantage of the boom to position themselves as a strong option in Medicine Man is a fast growing integrated the market. Countries such as Canada, the operator in the Denver metro area. This United States, Italy, Uruguay and Germany union further solidifies Columbia Care's show significant opportunities for those who position as the largest retailer, grower, want to invest in this industry that and manufacturer in Colorado, the world's increasingly promises to be the business of second-largest cannabis market. With the future. this purchase, it adds up to four retail locations and a 35,000-square-foot growing facility that is capable of producing approximately three million grams of dried flowers per year. millions with the acquisition of Medicine Man which will help it expand in Colorado.
Licensed in 18 US jurisdictions, Columbia Care is one of the original providers of medical cannabis in the country and continues to provide industry-leading products and services. The company launched Cannabist, its new retail brand, creating a nationwide network of dispensaries to offer products like flowers, edibles, oils and capsules; popular brands such as Seed & Strain, Triple Seven, Classix, Plant Sugar, Press, Amber and Platinum Label CBD are also products of Columbia Care.
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Cannabis Market:
segments, value and expectations When we refer to the size or value of a particular market, we are talking about the maximum number of sales or consumers that this industry can have in a given period (usually a year). When talking about the value of cannabis, it must be taken into account that, despite referring to a specific industry, there are different segments within it related to each other, but covering a different sector of the industry. The main segments of the cannabis industry are regulation (legal or illegal), use (medical and recreational), region, compound (THC or CBD) and products, businesses in all segments are carried out around the same plant, but with different purposes, processes and regulations. Therefore, when talking about the value of the cannabis market, it must be specified if it is a global approach to total annual profits or the specific revenues of a particular sector. It is important to know this because each area of the industry has different statistics and the opportunities are subject to different factors, so those interested in investing or undertaking in the industry should first ask themselves: which sector do I want to belong to? Or, which segment do I want to study? And then, what are the specific factors that influence the value of that segment? Generally speaking, the value of the cannabis market has increased significantly
There is no doubt that these numbers encourage anyone to be interested in starting a business in the cannabis industry, including celebrities and public figures who see the plant as a commercial opportunity. However, what happened recently with a Netflix star is… quite peculiar. Joseph Maldonado-Passage, known as "Joe Exotic" or "Tiger King" announced the launch of his own brand of cannabis, from prison. That's right, since 2019 Joe is paying a 22-year prison sentence, however, it seems that this has not stopped him from making contacts and business connections since last month he announced his new project that will offer a variety of products through dispensaries located in various US states such as Colorado, California, and Oklahoma. A portion of the profits will be donated to captive tiger care, said his attorney Brad Small in an interview with TMZ.
CannaTrade during the last 6 years, and for 2021 an increase of 21% is expected in relation to the 2019 numbers, which means an annual total of 23 billion of American dollars.
Cannabis Fluctuations during the 2020 Market Crash Various events caused a stock market crash in April 2020, among them is an oil price war, border closures, interest rates, but mainly, the Covid-19 pandemic. Together, these became the cause for the decrease of the S&P 500, NASDAQ-100 and Dow Jones indices.
But how did this affect the cannabis industry? While the stock market suffered the worst collapse since the economic crisis of 2008 (the Great Recession), more than 1 million businesses were being closed and more than 30 million people were unemployed, the cannabis market was in the right place and time to increase its value and impact due to legal advances at the international level. Impulsive purchases of cannabis, whether medical or recreational in many regions, the permits of some dispensaries to remain open, the progressive social and medical acceptance of cannabis, in addition to the increase in consumption of the plant as an anxiolytic due to symptoms and stress caused by confinement are just some of the main factors that allowed the industry's profits to reach $17.5 billion in 2020, a 46% increase compared to the previous year, according to The New York Times.
Reddit has become a hub for investors and stock traders. This social network has proven that it has an impressive ability to move the market and increase stock volatility and cannabis companies are no exception. The NASQAD-listed cannabis company Tilray recently merged with rival Aphria and has racked up fleeting stock market rises so far this year of 206% and 230% respectively, a figure far greater than industry giants like Canopy Growth (CGC) and Cronos (CRON), much of these fleeting rises are due to the Reddit community. What does the Reddit community have to say about Tilray? Many have even compared it to the famous GameStop (GME) and there are others who see Tilray as a great longterm growth game with impressive statistics, some have even called this company a whole "movement" within the community. Even Tilray CEO Irwin Simon acknowledged the support of the Reddit community, mentioning in interviews that he loves having Reddit users as part of his stakeholders, a gesture that was well received by Reddit users and which further boosted Tilray's posts and popularity on Reddit.
The main factor in this increase was the fact that cannabis became a necessity for consumers, an economic boost for countries, and an employment opportunity for thousands of people. 26
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Expectations and predictions According to the latest analysis, the global cannabis industry has a bright future ahead and a compound annual growth rate of 28.5% is expected, which may increase over time as it is related to legal restrictions for the purchase and sale of cannabis that vary in every region. This growth rate means that the value of the cannabis industry would reach about $118.9 billion in the year 2027, according to a study published on ResearchandMarkets.com. It was previously explained that the most commonly used statistics are a global summary of the industry. In addition, according to this study, each segment has a different growth rate that is influenced by specific factors, for the segmented growth is projected that the main ones will be in use: recreational, which may increase due to legalization, therefore, this would position THC in the compound segment, and in terms of region the European continent, due to its great legal advances. Reference:
Global Cannabis Market by Application (Medical, Recreational), Product Type (Flowers, Concentrates), Compound (THC-dominant, CBD-dominant, Balanced THC & CBD), and Region (North America, South America, Europe, RoW) - Forecast to 2026. 2021 February. Available at: www.researchandmarkets.com
In the world of stocks and public companies we constantly hear that the share price of certain companies have risen or fallen. We find in the market some companies with shares valued at hundreds of dollars and others with shares that we can buy for a few cents. So, what determines this value? The value of a company is known as the "market capitalization". Obtaining this value is quite intuitive, it is as simple as multiplying the price of the company's shares by the number of shares in circulation. Taking this into consideration, we will surely ask ourselves: What determines the price of shares? In reality, this value will be relative and represents a percentage change that has occurred in the market capitalization at a given time. When a company goes public, the price of its shares in the market is determined by the law of supply and demand. In the case of companies with high demand, prices will increase. In addition, investors evaluate the growth potential of a company avoiding those whose future is not encouraging. 27
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Analysis of the article by: Tomko, A. M., Whynot, E. G., Ellis, L. D., & Dupré, D. J. (2020). Anti-Cancer Potential of Cannabinoids, Terpenes, and Flavonoids Present in Cannabis. Cancers, 12(7), 1985. https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers12071985
Anti-Cancer Potential of Cannabinoids, Terpenes, and Flavonoids Present in Cannabis In recent decades, thanks to progress in the laws related to the proper use of cannabis, the knowledge of the active principles of the plant and the evidence of its properties is more frequent and extensive; that is why today the advancement in the proper use and applications of the compounds that have been identified in the plant and its derivatives are very useful for the structure of treatments for various conditions and even the relief and reduction of the symptoms of different pathologies. One of the lines of research of great impact is the one regarding the
antitumor effects of a significant amount of the molecules that have been characterized and extracted from Cannabis sativa L. In this review, the researchers explain how the multiple active principles of the plant (including terpenes, flavonoids and phytocannabinoids) beyond being able to function to alleviate some of the symptoms caused by traditional therapies for the treatment of different types of cancer, they also present a cytotoxic potential in tumor cells that can be proven through the evidence and corresponding studies, and in the future
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these can be used as coadjuvants in treatments that may be effective in the resolution of this pathology that affects a large part of the world population. The authors indicate that at present it is unlikely that the use of cannabis or its derivatives is sufficient to act as an independent therapy for the treatment of cancer, however the possibility is that formulations that include these compounds present in cannabis could most likely generate the beneficial therapeutic effects necessary to stop cell proliferation in addition to collaborating in alleviating adverse effects or reducing resistance to chemotherapeutic agents that are used to treat said pathology. This line of research takes into account the synergy between these molecules and the benefit implied by the combined use of them with drugs known as carfilzomib, because studies suggest that this combination could be very useful to intensify the effects of treatment
and therefore reduce the dose and the impact of the adverse effects of traditional therapy in patients. The studies that have been carried out for the treatment of different types of cancer have been mostly done at the preclinical level evaluating the effects of the molecules in cell lines or animal models, it is necessary to carry out the corresponding studies at the clinical level that include the evaluation of the bioavailability of these molecules in humans to understand the real benefits and determine the most effective ways to take advantage of their properties as effective anticancer agents and antitumor therapies.
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Cannabis “up close”
PINENE
More than a synergistic compound Frequently, when talking about the cannabis plant and its medical attributes, the immediate thought is cannabinoids since, from the information we have about the plant, the most logical thing is to refer to these as the responsible for the most common effects of cannabis since they are the most abundant. However, there are other compounds in the plant that work in synergy to enhance many of these effects, and to even cause relief on their own, as is the case with one of the terpenes: the pinene. This terpene is not only found in the Cannabis sativa L. plant, in fact, it is part of pines, rosemary, sage, and other plants. However, its effects are more defined in the cannabis plant, since the pinene confers the viscous and resinous property to the trichomes, which along with its intense smell protects the plant from the attack of insects, and provides stability during high temperatures. Pinene is classified into two chemical types: Αpinene and β-pinene, of which the first is the most recognized for the therapeutic effects it has provided for thousands of years, among them is its bronchodilator capacity that can be effective in cases of asthma; also antimicrobial, lung protector, anti-inflammatory, antitumor and antidepressant effects. As if that wasn't enough,
research has discovered that it forms the biosynthetic basis for the ligand of the cannabinoid receptor CB2, and on many occasions it has been attributed an opposing effect to the short-term memory loss associated with THC. Which varieties of cannabis have the highest concentration of A-pinene? To know this, laboratory analyzes are carried out to describe the components of a specific strain and among the strains that have had results of high Apinene concentration we can find: Critical Jack, Lavender, High Level, Black Dream and Big Kush.
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Disclaimer: Cannabis World Journals in its position as a purely educational journal, is not responsible for the issuance of personal opinions for informational purposes. For the proper, responsible and safe use and handling of cannabis consult the laws of your country and/or your family doctor or specialist.