The Australian Medical Association (AMA) is supporting a crackdown on exploitation of the country's Special Access Scheme (SAS) and Authorised Prescriber Scheme (APS); particularly in relation to medicinal cannabis (MC).The SAS and APS are regulatory pathways that allow patients to access unapproved therapeutic goods when necessary.The SAS enables individual...

A recent study has found a significant proportion of musculoskeletal pain patients finding relief using medical cannabis products.Musculoskeletal impairments encompass more 150 different diseases and conditions affecting muscles, bones, joints, and surrounding connective tissues. These impairments can cause temporary or permanent limitations in a person's ability to function and...

Last month saw Utah's medical cannabis program hit a major milestone, and there are more changes on the way for the scheme.The state's program commenced in early 2020 after a successful ballot initiative in 2018. Patients verified by a Qualified Medical Provider (QMP) are issued medical cannabis card by...

Proposed regulations in California relating to cannabis products for animals have some veterinarians up in arms.While most therapeutic animal cannabis products only contain cannabidiol (CBD), there has been some evidence to suggest carefully controlled tetrahydrocannabinol THC can be of benefit in dogs as well. THC is an intoxicating cannabinoid...

Ukraine's largest industrial hemp processing facility has started operations in the country's Zhytomyr region.The Ma'Ryzhany Hemp Company restored an old abandoned flax mill to create the facility, which will have a capacity of 14,000 tons per year and produce hemp fiber for the domestic market and well as...

What's claimed to be the largest study of the use of medical cannabis impacts with obstructive sleep apnea patients has found a significant improvement in quality of sleep.Obstructive sleep apnea is a disorder characterized by repeated pauses in breathing (called apneas) or shallow breathing (called hypopneas) during sleep caused...

The Australian Industrial Hemp Alliance (AIHA) has welcomed the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) updating its stance on hemp-based animal nutrition products.The APVMA is responsible for assessing and registering agricultural and veterinary chemicals proposed for local supply. The APVMA’s current official stance on the use of hemp...

The Danish Parliament recently officially passed legislation to make Denmark’s medical cannabis program permanent from the beginning of next year.Denmark’s trial scheme launched in 2018, focusing patients with sclerosis, spinal cord injury, chronic pain or nausea and vomiting after chemotherapy where the use of conventional drugs haven’t had sufficient...

An updated systematic review and meta-analysis of dozens of studies reaffirms cannabis use in pregnancy can have adverse neonatal outcomes.While women are well-versed in the risks of smoking and drinking during pregnancy, there still seems to be some disconnect in terms of awareness of potential negative impacts of cannabis...

A new survey indicates a majority of Texans support legalising marijuana for recreational purposes in the state.The Texas Politics Project conducts multiple statewide public opinion polls in the state every year, and has been doing so since 2008. In its latest survey, just 15% of the state's voters polled...