The report, published in the journal Archives of Medical Science – Atherosclerotic Diseases, examined data from the National Nationwide Inpatient Sample, a database of hospital discharge records across the United States that authors said “represents more than 97% of the US population.”

The analyses confirm that cannabis is associated with depression. However, the link between cannabis and depression does not appear to be a one-way street. On the one hand, the research team was able to prove that young people who used cannabis were more likely to suffer from depressive symptoms one year later. On the other hand, respondents with depression were more likely to turn to cannabis a year later. The connection appears to be reciprocal: cannabis and depression are mutually reinforcing.

If cannabis were to contribute significantly to the occurrence of psychosis, then psychoses would have to be diagnosed more frequently in regions where people smoke a lot of weed and more medication would have to be sold to treat psychoses. A research team from the USA has investigated this assumption. Study leader Holly Elser and her team analyzed the anonymized disease data of over 63 million people aged 16 and over.

Cannabis contains over 80 different compounds called cannabinoids, which have various effects on the human body and brain. The most well-known cannabinoids are tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is responsible for the psychoactive effects of cannabis, and cannabidiol (CBD), which has anti-inflammatory, anti-epileptic, and neuroprotective properties.

Lorna Rothery spoke to Rainer Krüger from the recently formed European Cannabis Association about how the organisation is supporting the development of a stable medical cannabis value chain in Europe.

From beauty and skincare to supplements, beverages and food, CBD has been having a moment for a while now. And with it, the rise of many other hemp-derived cannabinoids, such as CBG and CBN. But there have been others thrown in the mix with an edgier flare, hemp cannabinoids that blur the lines between supportive and recreational. We are talking about alternative cannabinoids, of course!

Under the new eligibility criteria, practitioners will be allowed to issue medical marijuana certifications to any patient they believe may benefit from the medicinal use of cannabis. Previously, the use of medical cannabis was restricted to patients with one or more qualifying medical conditions.

Washington state offers ‘joints for jabs’ to boost vaccination rates. State is offering free marijuana joints to adults that receive a Covid vaccine in program that will run until 12 July.

There’s a new cannabinoid in town. Delta-8 THC is making headlines as the latest canna craze to hit the market. This minor cannabinoid has been dubbed “weed lite” for its similar effects to Delta-9 THC, the cannabinoid known to produce the feeling of being high. Where does this intoxicating cannabinoid come from, what does it do, and where can you find it? Read our Delta-8-THC guide below to find out.

Swiss Doctors to Prescribe Cannabis Without “Exceptional Authorization”. The Swiss government has proposed lifting the special requirement for medical cannabis prescription on the eve of a recreational trial.