The results of a study that analyzed data from 600,000 Spanish residents who regularly use cannabis indicate that long-term cannabis use does not contribute to the deterioration of health.

Cannabis use in Spain

Cannabis consumption among the Spanish population is one of the highest in Europe after France. The personal and private use of cannabis is decriminalized in Spain, with consumption or possession in public subject to a fine.

Published in the journal Cannabis and Cannabinoid Researchresearchers used a sample of 419 subjects among the 600,000 respondents of a 2019–2020 national population survey who lived in Catalonia and had used cannabis in the previous 30 days.

Using specific methods to analyze respondent data, the researchers calculated that the sample of 419 regular cannabis users was sufficient to represent cannabis users with an accuracy of over 95%.

The people included in the sample of cannabis users had an average age of 33, worked mainly in the service sector, administration or commerce, and almost three quarters of them had followed a form higher education (after leaving secondary school at age 16).

Asked about their previous drug use, 60% of the sample said they had used MDMA, 57% cocaine, 51% LSD, mushrooms or other psychedelics, 40% amphetamine and 23 % of ketamine.

Commenting on the sample’s prior drug use, the study authors stated, “The study sample reported higher drug use than the general population…However, this higher use does not appear to be be associated with adverse health effects, as reflected in the indicators used. »

Comparison with the general population

Most of the indicators used by the researchers to assess the health of the respondents did not show any deterioration compared to the general population. These indicators include BMI, cholesterol, positive perception of health, and fruit and vegetable consumption.

88% of the sample had a positive perception of their health compared to the general population, 67% of cannabis users had a normal BMI compared to the general population, and 76% of the cannabis sample was doing ten minutes or more walking per day, compared to 70% of the population.

To assess mental health, the researchers asked several questions, including “How do you feel while using cannabis?” 94% of respondents said they were ‘happy’, 92% felt ‘full of ideas’ and 81% felt they ‘understand the world better’.

The researchers stated in their study that “most indicators did not show deterioration in the health of regular cannabis users compared to the general population. Users were observed to suffer more sleep problems and around 40% of the sample wanted to stop using cannabis, suggesting an addiction pattern. About 30% of the sample was able to stop taking prescription drugs thanks to cannabis. Social support and sleep problems, not cannabis use, were predictors of depression and well-being scores. »

The study authors recommend including more cannabis-related questions in future national population surveys, and warn of the risk of cannabis users developing addiction problems.

“Comparing our sample with data obtained from the general population using the ESCA, we found that cannabis users had better indicators regarding positive perception of health, BMI, cholesterol problems and blood pressure, the presence of chronic diseases, physical limitations in daily activities, mode of transportation (cycling being preferred by cannabis users) and depression,” the researchers said.

“While these differences cannot be attributed solely to cannabis use, they suggest that regular users of the drug do not experience relevant adverse effects in terms of fundamental indicators of overall health. We must remember that assessing the specific impact of cannabis use on health is difficult because health is a very complex construct affected by multiple variables. »

“Furthermore, potential dependence was also observed, suggesting that sustained cannabis use over years may be associated with a higher risk of developing such dependence. Another significant result is that the frequency of cannabis use is apparently unrelated to depression and well-being scores, whereas social support and sleep problems are strong predictors. »

“In conclusion, these results suggest that long-term cannabis use may not play a central role in terms of public health, while other health behaviors and complex variables are more related to health. We suggest including cannabis-related items in national health surveys, as they would provide valuable data to support the advancement of public debates regarding its regulation. »

The full study can be viewed here.

The Economic, Social and Environmental Council (CESE), an advisory body which advises the Government and Parliament, spoke out on Tuesday 24 January in favor of the legalization of cannabis.

During a plenary assembly, 2 ESEC rapporteurs unveiled the outline of the draft opinion “Cannabis: moving away from the status quo, towards regulated legalization”.

The work of the ESEC is based on 10 months of research and hearings in order, first of all, to take stock of the public policies in force and to explore the impact of an evolution of these, of the status quo to legalization through decriminalization. It largely reminds us of the work of the Cannabis Information Mission that resulted in global inaction on CBD, medical cannabis and therapeutic cannabis.

The ESEC also points to a “stinging failure of the policy pursued for fifty years”, namely the repression of drug use which in 1970 aimed to make France a drug-free country. He also insists on the uselessness of the fixed fine of €200 which punishes the simple and public use of cannabis and is above all given to young people in fragile situations and targeted at populations already in difficulty.

He also observes that “from the point of view of public health, the preventive actions carried out are generally ineffective, in particular among young consumers who are increasingly exposed to uncontrolled products”.

Prohibition annihilates any message of prevention, adds the ESEC, and “strongly mobilizes the police and justice services, without any real effect on the scale of trafficking and the level of consumption which remains the highest in Europe”.

Drawing inspiration from the legalization of cannabis in Canada, Malta or even by 2024 in Germany, the ESEC therefore proposes a “framed legalization” of the production, distribution and consumption of cannabis.

While waiting for a paradigm shift, the ESEC calls for a first phase of decriminalization with authorization of cannabis cultivation and Cannabis Social Clubs, as well as work around cannabis screening while driving, which today comes to further punish consumers. of cannabis than driving under the influence of cannabis, traces of THC persisting long after consumption.

This legalization aims above all, explain the two rapporteurs, Florent Compain, spokesperson for Friends of the Earth France and Helno Eyriey, former president of Unef, “public health objectives”, but could also allow ” weaken and dry up as much as possible” the illegal traffic.

“Far from any ideologized position”, the ESEC calls for a broad public debate and to involve “the people who do because they are the ones who know”.

The ESEC is also in favor of a switch to 1% THC in hemp and the expansion of research around cannabis to better understand the interaction of this plant with humans but also to develop these industrial, technological or textile uses. .

LaFleur, a French medical cannabis company, imported 500 cuttings of 24 different varieties of Cannabis as part of the Cannatech project, supported by the Pays de La Loire Region, thanks to a grant of €800,000.

The Cannatech project

The Cannatech project concerns the optimization of cannabis production in collaboration with INRAe, the University of Angers and the company SERAAP.

The challenge is to efficiently produce molecules of medical cannabis interest in a controlled environment and to reduce the consumption of resources in order to achieve eco-responsible production with the highest level of quality.

LaFleur is thus developing analytical methods with the SONAS laboratory (Substances of Natural Origin and Structural Analogues) of the University of Angers which allow it to characterize varieties and select them according to their profiles of active molecules.

In parallel with the Cannatech project, green chemistry extraction techniques have been developed through a partnership with the National School of Engineers in Chemical and Technological Arts of Toulouse (ENCIACET) since 2019.

The formulation and production of pharmaceutical forms are carried out by French partners.

Smart Lab

DelleD-LaFleur has created intelligent climate chambers using its own Hortimind IA solution, which automates the monitoring and optimization of Cannabis crops.

“The DelleD company, through its partners, already has the capacity to supply medical Cannabis produced and controlled in Europe.

The importation of cannabis cuttings and the conduct of the agronomic R&D program will enable our laboratory to offer French therapeutic solutions based on Cannabis in the next 12 months depending on the obtaining of authorizations” declared Franck Milone, President and Founder of DelleD.

After an initial fundraising of €3m and obtaining funding of €500k from the BPI and IDF region in 2020 as well as a grant of around €800,000 from the Pays de la Loire region in 2022, DelleD is currently finalizing a new fundraising of €1.1m and is launching a series A fundraising of €10m to accelerate its growth and prepare for the generalization of medical cannabis in France by March 2024.

Faced with the recorded failure of French policy in the fight against drugs, deputies of the presidential majority led by the Renaissance deputy for Bouches-du-Rhône Lionel ROYER-PERREAUT propose to “further punish the consumption of narcotics and products causing hallucinatory behavior”.

A failure recorded by the deputies of the majority

The explanatory memorandum to the bill (PPL) gives thanks to the failure of the French policy on drugs.

“The law of December 31, 1970 theoretically prohibited the use of narcotics in our country, providing for up to one year in prison and a fine of 3,750 euros for drug use. The French population is however the biggest consumer of narcotics in Europe. It has 1 million daily consumers, and 4 to 5 million occasional. »

Taking up the language of the Ministry of the Interior, which aims to stigmatize drug users as the driving force behind drug trafficking, the PPL notes that “drug trafficking is thus the direct cause of numerous settling of scores, particularly in the regions Parisian or in the cities of Marseilles. Local residents suffer from the presence of deal points and their nuisances, at any time of the day and night. This situation cannot go on any longer, and it is time that drug users realize that they are participating in a deadly activity. »

The only solution for these majority deputies: to toughen the penalties for cannabis users and, more broadly, narcotics users.

They therefore offer:

• raising the fixed criminal fine for the consumption of narcotics, from €200 to €500
• to sanction the consumption of drugs by “a person holding public authority or charged with a public service mission, or by the personnel of a land, sea or air transport company for goods or passengers performing questioning the safety of transport” by 5 years’ imprisonment and a fine of €75,000
• to open fixed fines to minors from the age of 16, for first offenses and repeat offenses
• to prohibit the sale of nitrous oxide (used to make whipped cream or for “balloons”) to anyone who might misuse it

The deputies carrying the proposal are:

• Damien ABAD, Renaissance MP for Ain
• Sabrina AGRESTI–ROUBACHE, Renaissance MP for Bouches-du-Rhône
• Xavier ALBERTINI, Horizons deputy of the Marne
• Romain DAUBIÉ, Modem MP for Ain
• Yannick HAURY, Renaissance MP for Loire-Atlantique
• Delphine LINGEMANN, Modem MP for Puy-de-Dôme
• Lysiane MÉTAYER, Renaissance MP for Morbihan
• Nicolas PACQUOT, Renaissance deputy for Doubs
• Charles SITZENSTUHL, Renaissance MP for Bas-Rhin
• Philippe SOREZ, Renaissance MP for Hérault
• Violette SPILLEBOUT, Renaissance du Nord MP

A company from Lyon acts as a locomotive in the French hemp sector. Maxence G, its founder, is constantly innovating to meet the quality expectations of consumers.

First engaged in the creation of his cbd shop CBD Dundees in Lyon which he propelled with his express delivery service in one hour throughout the city,

he then continued his conquest of the CBD sector by founding his brand of CBD oils and the creation of a specialized sector with the Jungle Kush Company. Portrait of an entrepreneur.

A market with great potential

Booming for 4 years now, the French CBD market has seen many assaults from the French government.

“The World Health Organization (WHO) presented a report in 2017 which concluded that CBD was not harmful to health. It does not produce the psychoactive effects typically seen with cannabinoids such as THC. It is therefore not a drug. “ “

[…] “The WHO stated in a 2017 report that CBD is not harmful or toxic to your health. Nevertheless, it is important to pay attention to the dosages of each product. The advice of a doctor or health professional is recommended.

Driven against a background of legal uncertainty when the absence of a ban was worth authorizing, cannabidiol wellness products have aroused unparalleled enthusiasm. So much so that professionals in the sector estimate that the CBD market today represents around 250 million euros for France and 3.4 billion dollars worldwide for an annual growth of 20%. For good reason, the global CBD market in 2021 raised $2.8 billion.

Choosing the arena of justice to defend the destigmatization of CBD, associated with cannabis, entrepreneurs in the hemp sector have multiplied lawsuits and appeals. The first major battle was waged before the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) with the Kanavape case, which cleverly focused the debate on respect for the free movement of goods. The judgment of the Court, in November 2020, establishes that “a Member State cannot prohibit the marketing of cannabidiol lawfully produced in another Member State”.

It is a disavowal for the French government. A decisive victory which does not, however, undermine its desire to restrict the marketing of hemp wellness products. He counterattacks by publishing a decree on December 30, 2021 to ban the sale of CBD flowers in their raw state, products which constitute the bulk of sales.

Thus, although it is the official recognition in France of the legality of the CBD, the sector is not satisfied with this Pyrrhic victory and launches an appeal before the Council of State which decides to suspend this ban the time to study the merits of the case.

A Lyon company

A visionary, Maxence Gotte was able to adapt his ambitions to the abrupt changes in regulations. Risk of a ban on the sale of CBD flowers in their raw state? Never mind ! Responding to an ambition anchored since his beginnings in the CBD business, the entrepreneur has concretized his vision with several ranges of CBD oils and also in the French culture of hemp.

“CBD oils are designed to meet the strictest quality requirements of our customers. Soon distributed in pharmacies, we have really worked to develop natural formulas combining the benefits of CBD and adaptogenic plants that effectively meet different needs: sleep, stress, energy and pain”.

At the same time, he has invested in the development of CBD Dundees by actively involving himself with his teams in the search for new products to enrich the selection of CBD flowers offered for sale and offers brands such as Marie-Jeanne, Ignite , Jane, Jungle label…

Thought on the start-up mode, the company contributes to the vitality of the Lyon ecosystem and testifies well to the turning point taken by the Lyon business landscape. The metropolis is attracting more and more young shoots at the forefront of innovation in niche sectors with high CBD potential such as AI (artificial intelligence).

A hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada is undergoing a multi-million dollar renovation and rebranding to become the first hotel in Sin City to become (legally) open to cannabis. L’Artisan Hotel Boutiquelocated just minutes from the famous Las Vegas Strip, is transformed into The Lexia 64-room cannabis-friendly hotel.

In a press release, the company said the entire fourth floor would be devoted to cannabis. The hotel belongs to Elevations Hotels and Resorts. Elevations CEO Alex Rizk said:

“The Lexi will allow the brand to show its commitment to creating a new type of hotel concept that is defined not only by the acceptance and normalization of cannabis in the hotel space, but also by our commitment to recovering historic properties and to transform them for modern travellers. »

The renovated hotel is expected to open in the spring of 2023. Elevations purchased the property in March 2022 for $11.9 million, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal. Rizk said the company wants to retain the personality of The Artisan. The entire 4th floor will be smoking and equipped with a state-of-the-art air filtration system so as not to turn into a giant aquarium.

“We want to make it a premium experience and keep that vibe,” he told the Journal. “We want to keep the playful attitude. We want to make sure we retain the sexy character of the hotel, but we want to make it classier than it used to be. »

Elevations, which is based in Phoenix, Arizona, also operates the Clarendon Hotel in Phoenix, Arizona, which has a cannabis-friendly lounge and guest rooms.

Switzerland is one of the pioneer countries in Europe regarding the production and sale of legal cannabis. In Switzerland, cannabidiol – more commonly known by its abbreviation CBD – has been legal since 2011, compared to only 2019 in France. Swiss hemp is therefore the result of early and anticipated expertise.

It is thanks to this precocity in terms of production that Switzerland now has one of the best CBD in Europe. Many products derived from the CBD flower have been developed in the Swiss Alps, which stand out for their superior quality. Oils, capsules, treatments, e-liquids: nothing seems to stop the research and development of Swiss experts, who spread trends and create new varieties.

It is therefore not surprising that in France, the purchase of Swiss CBD seems more advantageous in terms of quality and price. Sixty8 is a Swiss brand that offers a wide range of high quality products at affordable prices. The company is based on values ​​such as transparency and innovation in order to offer the best of cannabidiol. It has now become a benchmark brand, particularly in France, where it supplies many consumers.

Why is Swiss CBD so popular?

The best of CBD, the best of benefit

If cannabidiol (CBD) is so popular today, it is in particular for its many benefits for the body and the mind. Cannabidiol is a non-psychoactive chemical compound, naturally present in Cannabis Sativa L plants. It has many therapeutic effects on the body that justify its varied use. CBD is used in particular to relieve chronic pain, anxiety and sleep disorders. It has also been shown to help reduce inflammation, decrease seizures, and improve mental well-being. In other words, cannabidiol appears as a new public health issue.

In Switzerland, brands like Sixty8 take it to heart to develop products that will have a real effect on the body. While respecting the legislation in force, it is a question of designing CBD products which make it possible to tend towards general well-being. Switzerland has extremely advanced expertise when it comes to creating CBD-concentrated cannabis strains that provide noticeable effects. Unlike French production, which suffers from a fairly significant delay in terms of development and innovations concerning hemp, Swiss CBD is constantly evolving.

CBD in all its forms

Often, quality can be seen in the diversity of products, a guarantee of innovation. The benchmark brand, Sixty8, updates its products every week and presents its consumers with the latest innovations, resulting from the research of their experts.

The purchase of Swiss CBD in France can be done in different forms, thanks to the development of many derivative products that target specific needs. Among the most popular:

• Swiss CBD flowers, which often come from a so-called “Indoor” culture, that is to say enclosed, which allows monitoring and optimization of flowering. In short, more taste, more effects
• CBD oil, in topical application, by sublingual administration or by ingestion, which acts effectively against pain, anxiety and stiffness. Sixty8 also offers hemp oils blended with other natural ingredients to optimize the effects on the body. Capsules also allow for daily microdosing.
• The Swiss CBD hash, made using the traditional method
• Food (tea, sweets, etc.), which allow you to relax while enjoying a taste experience
• E-liquids, which are made with cannabidiol from Swiss hemp crops.

In short, to buy quality CBD, you should not make a cross on diversity. Each need has a different form of administration of cannabidiol. Sixty8 is one of the leading brands that develops and distributes new products.

Where to buy Swiss quality CBD?

CBD specialty stores

CBD specialty stores are shops that are exclusively dedicated to selling CBD products. These stores typically sell a wide range of products, such as CBD oils, flowers and hashes, capsules, creams and infused drinks.

They have the advantage of offering more direct customer service. On the other hand, it is quite difficult to find specialized stores that are dedicated solely to Swiss cannabidiol. Sixty8 has opened a store in Toulouse, France, but the easiest way is still to have it delivered via an online store if the possibility of going there is impossible.

CBD online stores

Online CBD stores offer many advantages over brick-and-mortar stores. First, they are usually open 24/7, allowing customers to purchase CBD products any time of the day or night. But the most obvious advantage lies above all in the supply capacity of e-shops.

These often offer a wider selection than brick-and-mortar stores, making it easy for customers to compare different products and choose the one that suits them best. Finally, online CBD stores often offer promotions and discounts that can help customers save money on their purchases.

Sixty8 provides very easy access to cannabidiol products designed in Switzerland. Thanks to e-shops, it becomes very easy to buy the best quality CBD and have it delivered in France. A few clicks and it’s done…

Supply yourself with Swiss CBD

The purchase and delivery of CBD in France does not only concern individuals. Resellers often need large quantities for their shop. Oils, hash, flowers, e-liquids, accessories, a reseller will need a wholesaler who knows how to fill all the gaps in his shop. Sixty8, aware of its leading position, provides resellers with advice and catalogs with wide choices that allow the wholesale of Swiss CBD.

An advantageous purchase

Respect the environment

To have beneficial effects on the body, cannabidiol must be cultivated with care. Sixty8 is committed to offering high quality products while respecting the environment. The brand has, since its inception, carefully selected the best organic CBD products, so that consumers can enjoy the benefits of this natural plant without worrying about chemicals or pesticides. As CBD becomes more and more popular, it is important to choose quality cannabidiol from environmentally friendly cultivation. Sixty8 offers the assurance of reliable and ecological products: the best of CBD, in short.

Legal compliance

According to European and Swiss legislation, it is legal to cultivate and sell cannabis containing CBD for medical or industrial purposes, provided that the level of THC (the psychoactive substance present in cannabis) is lower than 0.2%. .

In Switzerland, the legal limit is 1%. You should therefore always turn to reliable Swiss CBD shops, such as Sixty8, before buying products containing cannabidiol. CBD delivered to France must not exceed the French legal limit.

By choosing Sixty8, consumers can be assured of obtaining CBD flower, oil, hash that complies with European and Swiss legislation. The company also offers attentive customer service and expert advice to help customers choose the products that are right for them.

The maker of Epidiolex, a prescription CBD drug, has sued in the United States for patent infringement.

GW Research, a subsidiary of Irish company Jazz Pharmaceuticals, says more than 15 drugmakers are infringing its patents by developing generic versions of Epidiolex, the only drug containing CBD approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the United States.

These competitors would have submitted abbreviated new drug applications (ANDAs) to “market generic versions of GW’s pharmaceutical product, cannabidiol oral solution,” GW said, noting that some of their patents do not expire until September 2025. , while the others are still in effect until July 2027.

Epidiolex received authorization for use for the treatment of two rare forms of epilepsy in young children in 2018 and 2020 for the United States and in 2019 for Europe.

The defendants in the lawsuit brought by GW Research Ltd are: Teva Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Apotex Inc, Padagis US LLC, InvaGen Pharmaceuticals, Inc, Cipla Ltd, Cipla USA, Inc, API Pharma Tech LLC, Lupine Ltd, Alkem Laboratories Ltd, Taro Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. Ascent Pharmaceuticals, Inc., MSN Laboratories Private Ltd, MSN Pharmaceuticals, Inc, Zenara Pharma Private Ltd and Biophore Pharma, Inc.

The lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey.

“We will vigorously defend our intellectual property rights, as this is an important part of what enables us to continue to innovate and develop new medicines for patients, including our pioneering work and our scientific platform of industry-leading GW cannabinoids,” Andrew Civers-Davis of Jazz Pharmaceuticals told Marijuana Moment.

Larry Sandell, patent attorney at Mei & Mark LLP and head of the firm’s cannabis practice, told Marijuana Moment that ANDA patent cases of this type are relatively common in the pharmaceutical world, although they are somewhat unique here as they relate to cannabis products.

International cannabis brand Cookies opened its first cannabis store in Asia this weekend in Bangkok, capital of Thailand.

The launch of Cookies Thailand marks an important milestone for the brand, which enters its 6th country and becomes the 58th Cookies store in the world.

“The fact that my first time in Asia is to open a Cookies store is not something I could have imagined and it’s really special,” said Berner, co-founder and CEO of Cookies.

Cookies cannabis shop in Thailand

“This store is beautiful and we are grateful to our on-the-ground partners in Thailand who helped make this possible. Thailand is a unique place, full of amazing culture and opening a Cookies store with the country’s support, I’m so grateful. I hope Bangkok is ready for our exclusive menu! “.

California x Thailand

To honor the Southeast Asian country’s vibrant culture, the 50-square-meter dispensary features an atmosphere that mixes the California brand’s colors with Thai-inspired murals.

As the first Cookies dispensary in Asia, the brand’s iconic cultivars and products will be available for purchase, along with exclusive Cookies SF apparel and accessories.

To commemorate the grand opening, Cookies hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Saturday, January 21 at 11 a.m. with Berner and celebrity guests, followed by a meet-and-greet with Berner. Traditional dancers, blessing by a monk, muay-thai fighters and local and foreign visitors made the opening of the Bangkok Cookies store a real celebration.

Opening of the Cookies store in Bangkok

For many in the Thai cannabis community, the arrival of Cookies symbolizes both a legitimization of the newly legalized industry in what was a harshly punitive prohibitionist state, as well as the realization of a dream that has always seemed very distant.

“Having Cookies in Thailand makes worthwhile all the hard work I’ve done to help legalize cannabis in Thailand,” said Tom Kruesopon, Founder of Golden Triangle Health, a Thai partner of Cookies Bangkok. “It makes everything real.”

Soranut Masayavanich, a charismatic and well-connected player in the Thai scene known to everyone as Beer, is the CEO of Sukhumweed Industries and Local Growers Only, a Thai dispensary. He worked with the Thai Parliament to help craft cannabis legalization and works with the Cookies team to supply the brand with locally grown cannabis.

“For 10 years I focused on one thing,” he said. “Even though things were difficult, I focused on one thing. And now Berner is here. I’ll provide him with his weed… Cookies is here. Thailand is safe now. Weed is definitely legal in Thailand. »

Visitors wishing to enter the Cookies Thailand store must be at least 20 years old and in possession of a valid Thai national identity card or foreign passport and cannot be pregnant, in accordance to local legislation.

Cookies Thailand is located at 51/2 Soi Ruamrudee, Lumpinee, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330.