Literature Review

Mississippi health department says some medical marijuana products are being retested for safetyMississippi Public Broadcasting; 12/28/23The Mississippi State Department of Health said Wednesday that “a large number” of medical marijuana products are on hold so they can be retested. The department first issued the hold on Dec. 21. A news release from the department said the products are being retested “to validate results related to the use of pesticides and presence of mycotoxins,” which are produced by fungi. No illnesses from the products have been reported, the department said.

Medical marijuana bill coming back to Wisconsin in January. Here's what else is ahead on pot legalization in 2024.Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 12/20/23At the start of this year, it seemed possible that Wisconsin's marijuana laws could change, and the state would join 38 others in offering a medical-use program. That prospect came and went in 2023. But the momentum could pick up again in the new year. In a year-end interview with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos said Republicans will reintroduce a medical marijuana bill in January.

Indiana remains ‘an island of prohibition’ as surrounding states legalize marijuana. Some hope that changes.WRTV-TV (Indianapolis, IN)December 14, 2023Indianapolis, IN—... Indiana is one of just 12 states with a total ban on marijuana. As calls for legalization grow, are Indiana lawmakers ready to approve it here? Supporters hope so, but opponents say not so fast. “We’re an island of prohibition in Indiana and it is somewhat embarrassing,” said Keith Johnson, a veteran and proponent of legalization.

CT to consider decriminalization of psychedelic mushrooms. What you should know.Hartford CourantDecember 10, 2023... In the same way that marijuana was considered for decades as an illegal drug, a societal shift allowed a refocus on medical marijuana for pain relief and other uses. Now, mushrooms are also being viewed for their potential benefits though some politicians still remain skeptical. The next step is that advocates want to decriminalize possession of small amounts of mushrooms, and they will be pushing for that in the 2024 legislative session. The state House of Representatives passed a bill last year, but the issue was never debated in the Senate before time ran out. Now, in a short session that starts in early February, advocates are taking another chance at decriminalization.

1 in 8 older adults use cannabis; experts urge screeningMcKnight’s Long Term Care NewsDecember 8, 2023Cannabis use in older adults is on the rise and clinicians should screen for it, according to a new study. A report on people ages 50 through 80 finds that 12% of older adults say they’ve consumed a substance that contains delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in the past year. Additionally, 4% of people in that age group say they have substances that include THC multiple times a week. ... The new findings were published in Cannabis and Cannabinoids Research last month by a team from the University of Michigan’s Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation. Authors of the report said that people taking the products need more education on them, and older adults need to be screened for cannabis-related risks. ... The poll asked about products containing THC, but didn’t differentiate between medical and recreational use of cannabis.

20 companies awarded licenses to start Alabama’s medical marijuana industryBirmingham (AL) NewsDecember 2, 2023Birmingham, AL—The Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission awarded licenses on Friday to 20 companies to cultivate, process, transport, test, and sell medical marijuana products, a key step toward starting the new industry in Alabama. Patients who receive a recommendation from a doctor will be able to buy the products to treat chronic pain and a wide range of conditions and symptoms.