There is some hopeful news on the horizon for those suffering with Alzheimer’s disease. A new study has come out of Tel Aviv University about the promising effects of THC on Alzheimer’s, the all too-common, debilitating, degenerative disease. The researchers went so far as to call it a “potential treatment.” THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is the psychoactive component found in cannabis and can slow the production of beta-amyloid proteins, thought to be a hallmark characteristic and key contributor to the progression of Alzheimer’s.

This breakthrough, gives whole new meaning to the whole “this is your brain on drugs” campaign.

Italy spent last week reforming policies related to a number of minor offenses, including lessening penalties for the cultivation of cannabis for medical reasons.

Justice Minister Andrea Orlando approved the bill to decriminalize growing cannabis for medical use, but warned, “This does not decriminalize those growing weed on their terrace,” an exceptionally Italian way to phrase it. Cultivating cannabis for personal use still carries a harsh penalty — up to a year in prison and a fine of €4 million.

Mad Cow Disease, more properly known as Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD), is a horrific, degenerative brain disease that is fatal in 100% of cases. CJD is caused by prions, which are malformed protein molecules—and there is some evidence that cannabis could work to counteract their effects.

So how does CJD affect the brain?

To understand how CJD affects the brain, we first need to understand some of the basic science behind protein formation and folding. Basically, proteins are very long molecules that are so complex that they fold into three-dimensional structures, which can easily be seen with an electron microscope.

Thousands of Britons suffer from chronic conditions but face breaking the law to get treated. That must change

Imagine being in constant pain, so much so that you can’t work, you can’t walk around town, you can’t lift things, you can’t even find a restful position to sleep in. Imagine that every medicine your doctor prescribes to you is either too weak to make a difference or comes with crippling side effects. 

Now imagine knowing there is a medicine available that can ease your pain, allow you to work, move around relatively comfortably and help you sleep through the night. But there’s one downside: it’s illegal. 

What do you do? Do you live with the agony and fatigue or break the law? 

Christiania is a hippie idyll in the heart of Denmark’s prim and proper capital

A strong whiff of marijuana hits us as we walk by the lake shore on a sunny afternoon. We are strictly told not to talk on our mobile phones, to hide our cameras and to not run as we enter the locality. The intimidating instructions are the least of my concerns when I see people in black masks selling cannabis on Pusher Street.

The list of human rights organizations and UN agencies that recommend decriminalization is growing. So strong is the pressure for less punitive drug policies, that it has become impossible for states to ignore. Real change has started happening as well. Cannabis has been legalized in five American states, and Canada is set to become the first G7 nation to regulate the drug. Countless others are decriminalizing personal use and possession. We have come to the realization that punitive policies infringe upon basic rights and prevent people from seeking help.

Phillip Morris and Syqe, an Israeli medical device company with an inhaler type delivery system have announced a $20m investment.  The cigarette manufacturer will benefit  from a Medtech footprint to understand the potential to significantly reduce damage from smoking traditional nicotine products.

A study at Rambam Hospital where the cannabis inhaler was examined, reported it both safe and effective. In Israel there is an estimated 24, 000  medical cannabis patients.

It’s happening. We’ve been talking about it and planning it for months. We’ve received scores of exciting applications from across the world, more than half from Israel. And, this March 7th, as part of CannaTech, our International Cannabis Summit for Accelerating Cannabis Innovation, a fortunate three entrepreneurs will get their opportunity to pitch their idea to a group of investors.

The cannabis industry is coming on strong and set to outperform every industry since the dawn of mankind.  Not since alcohol prohibition ended in 1933 has an industry emerged with an existing user base, NOT apotential user base, but an active, bustling, black market trade that was brought into the mainstream.

Las Vegas—A new paper provides the first compendium of controlled substance classification systems around the world, revealing a broad spectrum of regulations but little consensus as to what works best.