All posts tagged: Health

The Legal Issues Concerning State Medical Cannabis Programs

Emerging public health law and policy issues concerning state medical cannabis programs

In summary

As the medical cannabis industry grows and local governments continue to legalize medical cannabis use state programs are forced to set standards without the aid of the federal government. State governments are now facing the challenge of attempting to regulate medical cannabis while maintaining the safety of patients and the general public. States now have to regulate labeling with universal warning symbols, child-resistant packaging, advertising restrictions, and pesticide use while also addressing members of the public’s concern about the safety of medical cannabis. If cannabis is ever rescheduled in the future so that the federal government can standardize the regulation of cannabis practices across the nation it will be interesting to see how local practices change in accordance. 

Despite multiple petitions and new research, the federal government has refused to reschedule cannabis. Cannabis used to be an accepted medication before a few politicians, namely Harry Anslinger began a propaganda campaign, highlighted by the film Reefer Madness (1936), turning the public opinion away from medical cannabis. This was largely thought to be a move to further ostracize minorities, further segregating races as Anslinger connected marijuana to violence to immigrants from Mexico. Cannabis never became medically dangerous in the early 1900s, merely a tool used by politicians to induce public fear and reinforce racist tendencies. In the featured article it was stated that 9 out of 10 Americans support the use of medical marijuana yet cannabis still has yet to be rescheduled and the reasons behind it are unclear but may lead back to the original push to have cannabis outlawed in the first place.

The study is available for review or download here

View more studies like this in the CED Foundation Archive 

To explore related information, click the keywords below:

Benjamin Caplan, MDThe Legal Issues Concerning State Medical Cannabis Programs
read more

A Balanced Diet and Exercise Promotes Health via the Endocannabinoid System

Diet, endocannabinoids, and health

In summary

 It has recently been revealed that the endocannabinoid system plays a crucial role in the maintenance of health while aging. Researchers found that a aerobic exercise promotes endocannabinoid levels in the blood and the increased levels are positively associated with general well-being. The collected data shows that the endocannabinoid system is especially important for controlling appetite, improving systemic metabolism, and reducing obesity and diabetes. Diet and exercise both affect the overall function of the endocannabinoid system, highlighting the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle in order to promote health while aging. Further research should examine how cannabis-based supplements affect health while aging. 

The endocannabinoid system affects the function of various systems and organs within the body, emphasizing its potential as a therapeutic target. Even without the use of readily available cannabis, synthetic cannabinoids are being produced that aim to address a myriad of treatment-resistant disorders. Recent research has shown that cannabinoids provide benefits for more than just inflammation and pain or other disorders centered around the central nervous system and that their possible effects extend throughout the human body. Research into cannabinoids, synthetic or otherwise, as well as terpenes and flavonoids, should be highlighted in the near future to address cancer, anorexia nervosa, and other ailments that are notoriously difficult to treat.

The study is available for review or download here

View more studies like this in the CED Foundation Archive 

To explore related information, click the keywords below:

Benjamin Caplan, MDA Balanced Diet and Exercise Promotes Health via the Endocannabinoid System
read more