Year: 2013

Hawaii marijuana laws

Hawaii: Governor Signs Measures Amending State’s Medical Cannabis Program

Democrat Gov. Neil Abercrombie signed two separate measures into law to amend the state’s 13-year-old medical marijuana program. House Bill 668 transfers the administration of the state’s medicinal cannabis program from the Department of Public Safety to the Department of Public Health. Senate Bill 642 increases the quantity of medical cannabis that may be possessed by qualified patients from three ounces to four ounces. It also increases the total number of mature plants that may be legally grown by qualified patients at any one time from three to seven.

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A woman sits on her couch with her hands on her abdomen indicating pain

Study: Cannabinoid Could Potentially Cut Down On NSAID-Induced Hospitalizations

Researchers at West Virginia University assessed the impact of THC administration in an animal model of NSAID-induced gastric inflammation. Investigators reported that low doses of THC provided gastroprotective effects, significantly attenuating gastric hemorrhages and lesions. They concluded, “[C]annabinoids may have the added benefit of reducing the effective analgesic dose of NSAIDs, as well as reducing the incidence of NSAID-induced gastric ulcers.”

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A hand holds a lit cannabis joint from which smoke wafts against a soft green background

Study: Cannabis Smoking Not Associated With Increased Lung Cancer Risk Or Other Serious Pulmonary Complications

A forthcoming review to be published in journal Annals of the American Thoracic Society reiterates that the ingestion of cannabis smoke poses nominal pulmonary risks compared to those associated with tobacco smoke. It concludes, “In summary, the accumulated weight of evidence implies far lower risks for pulmonary complications of even regular heavy use of marijuana compared to the grave pulmonary consequences of tobacco.”

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New Hampshire Marijuana Laws

New Hampshire: House and Senate Agree to Compromised Medical Marijuana Measure

House and Senate negotiators on Tuesday agreed on a final version of House Bill 573, which allows for a regulated system of medical cannabis distribution in New Hampshire. The amended bill calls for the creation of four state-sanctioned marijuana dispensing facilities to produce and distribute cannabis to state-qualified patients who possess a physician’s recommendation. New Hampshire will become the 19th state to allow for the limited, legal use of medical cannabis and the final New England state to do so.

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