COLD TURKEY

PUTTING DOWN THE PIPE

Although less severe than other drugs, cannabis withdrawal symptoms do occur

By Dan Webster

EVERCANNABIS CORRESPONDENT

If you’ve seen the 1936 film “Reefer Madness” you know that authorities at the time equated cannabis with far more addictive drugs. In fact, the movie’s cannabis-smoking protagonist – played by actor Dave O’Brien – ends up displaying symptoms exaggerated even for heroin withdrawal.

Both the movie and O’Brien’s performance have long been derided for their efforts at portraying cannabis consumption as an act that, as critic Alan Jones described it, “turns its users into hysterical monsters driven by their basest desires.”

“Modern audiences think of ‘Reefer Madness’ as pure camp,” Jones wrote in an article for Hazlitt.net – “that is, an unintentionally ridiculous bit of institutional propaganda, godparent of the after-school special.”

But, it turns out, there may be at least some truth to the movie’s allegations.

A professor of psychiatry named Laura Coughlin, who participated in study conducted at the University of Michigan, stated that “while weed is indeed less dangerous than some other drugs, it is not without risks.”

In an article for the nonprofit news website The Conversation, Coughlin wrote that the UM study indicates that “59 percent of people using medical cannabis for chronic pain experienced moderate to severe withdrawal symptoms if they stopped ingesting weed for hours or days.”

According to Coughlin, the range of those symptoms varied but included “irritability, depressed mood, decreased appetite, sleep difficulties, a desire or craving to use cannabis, restlessness, anxiety, increased aggression, headaches, shakiness, nausea, increased anger, strange dreams, stomach pains and sweating.”

Coughlin maintains that the symptoms typically diminish within a couple of weeks as, she wrote, the cannabis use is stopped and “as the body adjusts back to its own natural production of cannabinoids.”

“Unlike withdrawal from some psychoactive substances – such as alcohol – cannabis withdrawal is not life-threatening or medically dangerous,” Coughlin wrote. “But it does exist.”

Similar information can be found on the health and wellness website Healthline. com. An article titled “What to Expect from Marijuana Withdrawal” cites a warning from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: “1 in 10 Americans who use cannabis will become addicted.” And, it added, that number “jumps to 1 in 6 if you begin using marijuana before the age of 18.”

Determining who is most at risk to become addicted to cannabis is a tricky proposition. Writing in Emerald Magazine, Claire Covino states that – according to the National Institute of Drug Abuse – genetic predisposition may be a key, “though the person’s environment is just as influential.”

“However,” Covino added, “a person with no genetic predisposition might not fall victim to addiction given the same environment.”

The increased THC potency of today’s cannabis may also be a factor. The journal Biological Psychiatry published a study in 2016 that indicated THC potency had risen from 4 percent to 12 percent over the previous two years alone.

And, of course, the mental health of the individual cannabis user has to be considered.

“The cycle of addiction is much more likely for those who use cannabis as a form of self-medication, whether they know they’re doing it or not,” Covino wrote.

To avoid the worst of the withdrawal symptoms, Healthline.com cautions, it’s best to taper off slowly while under the care of a physician.

Other advice when trying to reduce or eliminate cannabis consumption:

• Stay hydrated, making sure to avoid “sugary, caffeinated beverages like soda.” • Eat healthy foods such as fresh fruits, vegetables and lean meats, and avoid junk food “which can make you feel sluggish and irritable.” • Exercise at least 30 minutes a day. • Seek out others to provide emotional support.

Like many indulgences, overconsumption can lead to problems – and cannabis is no different.

As Michigan researcher Coughlin noted, “Cannabis may not be the demon drug from ‘Reefer Madness,’ but neither is it a wonder-plant with limitless upsides and no downsides.”

NORTHEAST

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rush if equity was barely a footnote in the bills?

New York

For the past two years advocates in New York have felt like they are on the verge of achieving legalization, and then something happens to put the brakes on. Last year, the pandemic stalled hopes of the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA) being passed. Gov. Andrew Cuomo put out his own bill, the Cannabis Regulation and Taxation Act in 2020 (CRTA), but the MRTA kept equity front and center, and will not solely benefit multistate operators.

This year is going to be the third attempt at legalization. Here is what you need to know about MRTA: • Preference: Advocates across the state have carefully crafted this bill with legislators and with policymakers in other states that have legalized recreational cannabis. The MRTA has strong similarities to the Illinois cannabis legalization law passed in 2019. • Equity: The MRTA talks about equity boldly and makes clear that the reclassification/resentencing of cannabis-related convictions should be retroactive.

Connecticut

One of the two cannabis legalization bills presented in Connecticut has a very clear intersectional lens that will benefit its citizens in a meaningful way. Its also being championed by women and women of color.

According to State Sen. Julie Kushner, who co-introduced HB-337, “when constructing the bill, we wanted to welcome a new industry into the state, but also asked ourselves ‘how do we make this industry beneficial to our communities, how do we build a workforce and employers who both represent our community?’” the senator said in a recent interview.

HB-337 is the most unique of any bill or law in the U.S. because of it is very clear and intentional focus on equity and labor peace. Lawmakers are approaching legalization at the intersection of labor and equity – a unique framework that will undoubtedly fill the gap that so many recreational cannabis use laws have created over the years.

“We need to resist jumping ahead and not getting this right … If we don’t do it right now, it will take decades to fix/ address this [equity and labor peace],” Sen. Kushner said.

A few highlights of HB337: • Equity: The bill ensures that BIPOC communities have licensing opportunities, mitigating and/or reclassifying criminal justice inequities that exist as a result of cannabis possession and/ or use. There is a carve out for Native American communities, which elevates this bill as the new gold standard of cannabis legalization bills. • The implementation of labor peace agreements for cannabis workers. This means that an employer will remain neutral if their workers decide to organize into a union. There would also be protections for contract negotiations that would create timelines and the implementation of statutory arbitration if timelines are not met. Labor peace agreements exist in some state legalization laws and have been tremendously beneficial for cannabis workers, but also for the industry, ensuring workers (and therefore consumers) are safe through the implementation of workplace safety measures. • A consideration that is a first in any legalization bill is a carve out of labor peace for cannabis businesses owned operated on tribal land. Sen. Kushner recalls her experience in the 1990s when casinos opened on Native American land and it took 20 years for workers to successfully unionize, hoping to prevent a similar situation for cannabis workers.

This bill is the product of legislators working with advocates and listening to the community that has been most impacted by cannabis prohibition.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Cannabis Cooking Classes. Soul Fresh in Boston offers live virtual cooking lessons Saturdays, 12:30-3:30 p.m. PST. Attendees learn salves and food, and receive a digital cookbook. www. soulfreshwellness.com.

Cooking with Mary J. White.

Cannabis chef and Evercannabis columnist Mary J. White teaches a variety of virtual and in-person cannabis classes in Seattle, including “Secrets of Cooking with Cannabis” April 10, “Tinctures ‘n Gummies” April 17, and “Lotions and Potions” April 24. www.maryjwhite.com

April 6-7

Interchange, Renton. Marijuana Venture magazine brings together growers and retailers to the Renton Pavilion to create networking opportunities. www.interchangemv.com/register April 8

The Cannabis Alliance, Seat-

tle. Monthly meeting of growers, retailers and other supporters of Washington’s cannabis system. The Alliance is also scheduling virtual happy hours for social interaction for members each Tuesday at 5 p.m., plus occasional virtual “Office Hours” to meet staff. thecannabisalliance.us

April 21

Chronic Relief, Snohomish. Golf tournament at Echo Falls Golf Club raises money for COVID-19 pandemic relief, especially those in the cannabis industry. www.chronicrelief.org

April 26-28

The Growing Summit, online.

Learn about the booming Canadian cannabis market including new cultivation and networking methods. Participants can use digital rooms to conduct business. www.growingsummit.com/home Due to health concerns, some events may be canceled, postponed or moved online. Please check with event organizers to verify prior to attending.