Happy new year and welcome back to the end of the week wrap up where we compile and share the latest cannabis news and education!
Here are some of the top articles we discovered this week on everything cannabis:
- A study of children with autism spectrum disorders in Israel reported significant improvements in their social communication abilities after six months of treatment with cannabidiol-rich cannabis oil.
- Reports indicated improvements in social communication and reductions in disruptive behaviours, self-injuries, tantrums, restlessness and agitation.
- The average age of the children in the study was 9 years and 65 of the children were boys. The study was “open label,” meaning that both participants and researchers knew what substance they were taking.
Key Takeaway: Results showed significant improvements in a number of assessments used in the study. These were mostly driven by improvements in social communication skills. The effects were greater in children who initially had more pronounced autism symptoms.
- The authors point to the potential for cannabis to help alleviate sleep dysfunction along with the impact of individual cannabinoids on sleep.
- The trial looked to assess the tolerability and effectiveness of medicinal cannabis oil on sleep in adults with insomnia.
- Ultimately, investigators reported that participants using cannabis extracts experienced improved sleep quality by up to 80%, and 60% of participants were no longer classified as clinical insomniacs at the end of the two-week intervention period.
- Long-term studies are needed to assess whether chronic medicinal cannabis intake can restore natural circadian rhythm without the need for ongoing cannabis intake.
Key Takeaway: Cannabis has shown remarkable promise in treating sleep disorders, according to a clinical investigation. Most participants agreed that using cannabis oil to treat their sleeplessness was a good idea, and some asked for continuous prescriptions for the drug. However, some chose to stop the medication for reasons other than negative effects.
- Mr Cantelo told The Australian Financial Review he expected the Brisbane facility would quadruple ANTG’s production capacity – to date it has sold more than 350,000 products
- Prohibition Partners forecast Australia’s medicinal marijuana industry to be worth $1.6 billion by 2026, having been worth just over $50 million in 2020 and about $200 million this year.
- The sector, which was legalised in Australia in 2016 and now has well over 100,000 active users, faces several challenges despite its rapid growth.
Key Takeaway: The market for medical cannabis has been expanding rapidly over time. In terms of worldwide revenue, this sector is the fastest-growing in the globe and is expected to soon overtake coffee.
- The trial, led by the Mater hospital and the University of Queensland, studied the effects of cannabidiol oil, also known as CBD, on the relief of pain, depression, anxiety and quality of life on 144 patients receiving palliative care for cancer.
- The trial found there was no detectable effect of CBD on change in physical or emotional functioning, overall quality of life, fatigue, nausea and vomiting, pain, dyspnoea or appetite loss.
- The study aimed to fill the gap in scientific evidence supporting the use of medicinal cannabis for pain relief and symptom distress due to cancer.
Key Takeaway: Although medicinal cannabis works for a lot of illnesses, it seems like using it to improve cancer patients’ quality of life does not work but this trial is undoubtedly a stepping stone to potentially larger trials that may be structured to focus on more targeted regions where cannabis may have an effect.
- People using cannabis for health reasons prefer the layer of safety that comes with medically prescribed treatments.??
- Cannabis as a Medicine (CAMS20) survey found that 47% of medicinal cannabis users think it's too expensive.
- International suppliers are able to supply Australians at less than half the price.
- As of May 2022, 66 cultivation licences and 57 manufacturing licences had been awarded in Australia and now there are around 1300 estimated employees in the industry, according to an Australian medicinal cannabis industry report.
- The average price per mg dropped 12% between March and September 2021, with the downward price trend expected to continue.
Key Takeaway: Patients in Australia are getting easier access to medical marijuana. This implies that those who were in desperate need of a natural remedy now have access to it.
That concludes our weekly wrap up.
Let us know what you think!
Disclaimer: All articles shared are credited to its rightful owners. Information shared on this page is for educational purposes only. We are not here to promote the use of cannabis. If you do intend to consume cannabis, we advise you to speak to your local general practitioner for more information and guidance.
