Pharmacies in Georgia to start selling medical cannabis, a tourist destination gets a cannabis lounge, and researchers grapple with the scope of the fast food addiction problem.
Here’s what you missed this week in cannabis and psychedelic news.
Georgia is set to become the first state to offer medical cannabis in independent pharmacies. The Georgia Board of Pharmacy (GBF) opened up the application process for interested pharmacies early last month. In a short time, the GBF has already received nearly 120 applications! Over the next couple of weeks, inspectors will visit these pharmacies to decide if they deserve the GBF’s approval.
The move is expected to significantly increase the accessibility of low-THC oils for medical cannabis patients in the state. Further, it’ll help relieve some pressure from the seven dispensaries currently open which have had to serve the entire state all by themselves. About 90% of Georgia’s population will have access to medical cannabis within a 30-minute drive once pharmacies start getting GBF approval.
Currently, Georgia’s medical cannabis program is only available for individuals with physician authorization to treat severe conditions. The list of approved conditions includes; terminal cancer, Parkinson’s, and PTSD. Available medical cannabis products are limited to low-THC oil with no more than 5% of the psychoactive substance.
Interested in getting your Georgia medical cannabis card? Check out Veriheal!
Kingstown Cruise Ship port in St. Vincent and The Grenadines opened its first consumption lounge on October 20th. Greenhouse Café at Therapy, located inside Therapy Restaurant and Lounge, caters to residents and visitors with medical cannabis cards. It gives these individuals a safe and legal space to purchase and consume cannabis and cannabis-infused drinks.
Veriheal has satisfied millions of patients nationwide by giving them access to these benefits
Business owner Marcia Deane-Clarke, who already operates three Greenhouse Café locations, has had her eye on St. Vincent and the Grenadines for a while now. After receiving multiple requests, most from tourists to open a shop in the Kingstown Crusie Ship Port, she knew she had to jump on the opportunity.
Which travel destination would you like to see get a cannabis lounge? Let us know in the comments!
A study published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) found that highly processed foods can be as addictive as nicotine, cocaine, and even heroin. The study was led by University of Michigan professor Ashley Gearhardt. The research applied criteria used to diagnose substance addiction to food consumption. This criteria includes uncontrollable intake, cravings, and continued consumption despite potential risks.
Using the substance addiction criteria above, researchers found that approximately 14% of adults are addicted to ultra-processed foods (UPFs). The “UPF” classification includes cookies, ice cream, sausages, sugary soft drinks, and breakfast cereals. All of these foods are incredibly prevalent in modern diets emphasizing the massive scale of UPF addiction.
What exactly makes UPFs so addicting? As researchers explain it, UPFs’ combination of refined carbohydrates and fats has a potent effect on brain reward systems. Eating UPFs triggers a dopamine spike in the brain followed by a sharp decline. This creates a cycle of cravings, satisfaction, and crashes similar to what one experiences with drugs or alcohol.
Due to how widely available UPFs are available, policymakers and researchers alike struggle to find a plausible solution. As a starting point, some health experts suggest putting warning labels on UPFs similar to what you’d see on tobacco products. The warnings would inform shoppers about UPFs’ addictive properties.
For more cannabis news as well as lifestyle and consumption tips check out Veriheal’s content hub.
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