Kenmore, WA: Adults often substitute cannabis for the use of prescription medications, according to data published in the Journal of Pain Research.

Investigators from the Bastyr University Research Institute assessed the frequency of drug substitution among a self-selected national sample of 2,774 self-identified marijuana consumers.

Just under half of respondents (46 percent) reported using cannabis in place of prescription medications. Respondents were most likely to use cannabis in lieu of narcotics/opioids (36 percent), anxiolytics/benzodiazepenes (14 percent), and antidepressants (13 percent).

Women were more likely than men to report drug substitution, as were older respondents. Those who identified as medical cannabis patients were more than four times as likely as non-medical users to report engaging in drug substitution.

“These data contribute to a growing body of literature suggesting cannabis, legal or otherwise, is being used as a substitute for prescription drugs, particularly prescription pain relievers,” authors concluded.

The study’s conclusions are similar to those of several others, such as these here, here, here, and here, finding reduced prescription drug use and spending by those with access to cannabis.

For more information, please contact Paul Armentano, NORML Deputy Director, at: paul@norml.org. Full text of the study, “Cannabis as a substitute for prescription drugs – a cross sectional study,” appears in the Journal of Pain Research.

Concord, NH: Legislation eliminating criminal penalties for minor marijuana possession offenses has been approved by members of the New Hampshire House and Senate and has the backing of Governor Chris Sununu.

House Bill 640, as amended by the Senate, revises state law so that the possession of up to three-quarters of one ounce of cannabis and/or up to five grams of hashish is reduced from a criminal misdemeanor (punishable by up to one year in jail) to a civil violation, punishable by a fine only – no arrest and no criminal record. New Hampshire is the only New England state that imposes criminal penalties for minor marijuana possession offenses.

Because members of the Senate amended the bill, it must return to the House to be re-approved. House members initially approved the measure by a vote of 318 to 36.

On May 11, Gov. Sununu acknowledged that he “looks forward” to signing HB 640 into law.

For more information, please contact Justin Strekal, NORML Political Director, at (202) 483-5500.

Emeryville, CA: Public support for marijuana legalization has surged in Washington state in the years following the enactment of legislation permitting the commercial production and retail sale of the plant, according to survey data published in the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence. Fifty-five percent of voters approved the voter-initiated measure in 2012.

Investigators with the Public Health Institute in California assessed survey data from a geographically representative sample of those ages 18 and older. Survey data was collected every six months between January 2014 and April 2016 in order to assess support trends over time.

Authors reported that respondents’ support for legalization increased from 64 percent to 78 percent over this time period. Public support grew among those in every age group.

National polls similarly show an increase in public support for marijuana legalization following the enactment of such laws in various states.

For more information, please contact Justin Strekal, NORML Political Director, at (202) 483-5500. Full text of the study, “Support for marijuana legalization in the US state of Washington has continued to increase through 2016,” appears in Drug and Alcohol Dependence.

Santiago, Chile: Chilean pharmacies are making medical cannabis products available to patients with a physician’s authorization.

The nation legalized the use and distribution of medical cannabis in 2015, and just recently began importing medicinal cannabis products from the Canadian provider Tilray. (Chileans are not permitted under the law to cultivate their own cannabis.) In recent weeks, Tilray has also announced agreements to have its products exported to Australia and Cypress.

Several other South American countries are also moving forward to implement cannabis reforms. Colombian lawmakers approved regulations governing the production and use of medical cannabis in 2016, while Argentinian lawmakers signed off on legislation in March regulating the distribution of cannabidiol.

Pharmacies in Uruguay are anticipated to begin selling cannabis this July to residents age 18 or older who are willing to enroll in a government registry.

For more information, please contact Paul Armentano, NORML Deputy Director, at: paul@norml.org.

Des Moines, IA: Governor Terry Branstad signed legislation late last week, House File 524, expanding the pool of patients eligible to possess cannabidiol oils.

The act permits patients with HIV, Crohn’s disease, untreatable pain, and other serious conditions to possess CBD extracts. It also seeks to establish a small number of state-licensed producers to manufacturer and distribute CBD products.

The new law repeals the state’s 2014 CBD exemption law, which was set to expire this year. That law permitted the use of CBD extracts for patients with intractable epilepsy, but failed to provide a legal, in state supply source for the products.

Sixteen states have enacted similar laws explicitly recognizing CBD as a therapeutic agent.

For more information, please contact Justin Strekal, NORML Political Director, at (202) 483-5500.