Despite President Trump's recent executive order to reschedule cannabis, experts warn that it will do little to shield users from potential prosecution. The Department of Justice has already rescinded Biden-era guidance that directed U.S. attorneys to refrain from pursuing simple cannabis possession cases. Montana's legal marijuana industry has reached a major milestone, with over $1 billion in sales since the state legalized adult-use cannabis four years ago. The data shows a dramatic shift in consumer habits, as adult-use sales have surged while medical marijuana purchases have plummeted. As the new year begins, the push for marijuana legalization is gaining steam across the country. From the East Coast to the West, states are eyeing opportunities to enact both recreational and medical cannabis laws, bolstered by a recent federal move to reschedule the drug. This study explored adolescent attitudes towards cannabis use and how they relate to attitudes towards alcohol use. The key findings indicate that adolescents view cannabis use as more acceptable than alcohol use, and that they often use cannabis to cope with stress or social anxiety. This study examined the relationship between monthly simultaneous cannabis and alcohol use and mental health outcomes in male and female college students. The key findings were that simultaneous use was associated with higher levels of depression, anxiety, and stress, and these associations differed by sex, with stronger links observed in female students. This study examined the day-level effects of cannabis and alcohol use on sleep quality and duration among middle-aged and older adults in the community. The key findings suggest that cannabis use alone had negligible effects on sleep, but co-use of cannabis and alcohol attenuated the negative effects of alcohol on sleep.

Visit The Cannabis Boomer Podcast homepage at https://www.cannabisboomer.com for in-depth interviews with leading cannabis researchers.

#CannabisResearch #MarijuanaLegalization #AdolescentSubstanceUse #AlcoholAndCannabisCoUse #SleepQuality #CannabisScience #THC #CBD #OlderAdults #BabyBoomers

Grace 0:0:0

On today's Cannabis Boomer's Journal of News and Reviews in Cannabis Science, Dr. Alex Terrazas PhD gives his take on the latest findings in cannabis research.

But first. here is The Cannabis Boomer's top cannabis news story.

Alex Terrazas, PhD: The Cannabis Boomer 0:0:19

In today's cannabis news:

Trump's Cannabis Order Fails to Protect Users from Prosecution

Despite President Trump's recent executive order to reschedule cannabis, experts warn that it will do little to shield users from potential prosecution. The Department of Justice has already rescinded Biden-era guidance that directed U.S. attorneys to refrain from pursuing simple cannabis possession cases.

"There's already pushback on Capitol Hill from a variety of folks about doing it in this kind of expedited way," said Douglas Berman, a law professor at Ohio State University. Even if cannabis is rescheduled, the specific penalties under the Controlled Substances Act would remain unchanged, leaving users vulnerable to criminal charges.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement has also exploited cannabis offenses, including simple possession, as justification for deportation. Some ICE raids have even targeted state-legal recreational grow operations under the Trump administration. Noncitizens and minority communities continue to bear the brunt of these enforcement efforts, with no signs of the trend reversing despite the president's order.

Alex Terrazas, PhD: The Cannabis Boomer 0:1:38

As Frank Zappa used to say "Moving to Montana Soon!":

Montana's Booming Marijuana Market Hits $1 Billion in Sales

Montana's legal marijuana industry has reached a major milestone, with over $1 billion in sales since the state legalized adult-use cannabis four years ago. The data shows a dramatic shift in consumer habits, as adult-use sales have surged while medical marijuana purchases have plummeted.

In 20 22, the first year of legalized recreational marijuana, Montana dispensaries sold around $304 million in products, with medical marijuana accounting for about a third of that. But by 20 25, annual sales had risen to $327 million, with adult-use cannabis making up nearly 90% of the market. This growth has translated into a significant increase in tax revenue for the state, which collected $217 million over the four-year period, with the vast majority coming from the higher-taxed adult-use segment.

The shift away from medical marijuana is likely driven by a combination of factors, including the convenience and privacy of adult-use sales, as well as the higher tax rate on medical purchases. However, some experts believe that a portion of adult-use customers may still be using cannabis for medical purposes, simply opting for the more accessible and affordable recreational market. As Montana's marijuana industry continues to evolve, policymakers will need to closely monitor these trends to ensure the system is meeting the needs of both recreational and medical consumers.

Alex Terrazas, PhD: The Cannabis Boomer 0:3:26

And finally, we have:

Marijuana Legalization Gains Momentum Across the U.S.

As the new year begins, the push for marijuana legalization is gaining steam across the country. From the East Coast to the West, states are eyeing opportunities to enact both recreational and medical cannabis laws, bolstered by a recent federal move to reschedule the drug.

President Trump's executive order directing the attorney general to reclassify marijuana from Schedule One to Schedule Three of the Controlled Substances Act has energized state-level reform efforts. This policy change, while not outright legalizing cannabis, is seen by many advocates as a game-changer that could embolden more lawmakers to support ending prohibition locally. States like Florida, Hawaii, and New Hampshire are all considered likely to legalize recreational marijuana this year, either through legislative action or ballot initiatives. On the medical side, Kansas and North Carolina are also viewed as prime candidates to join the growing number of states with comprehensive CBD and THC programs.

The momentum for marijuana reform comes amid a shifting federal landscape and continued strong public support for legalization. With more than half the country already allowing adult-use or medical cannabis, the pressure is on for holdout states to catch up. While opponents are ramping up their own efforts to roll back legalization in some areas, the overall trajectory points to even greater access to marijuana for Americans in the years to come.

Grace 0:5:12

And now the Cannabis Boomer reviews recent cannabis science publications.

Alex Terrazas, PhD: The Cannabis Boomer 0:5:18

In our science review we have the cleverly titled:

"If You Need to Light Up … You Gotta Do What You Gotta Do": A Qualitative Study of Adolescent Attitudes Towards Cannabis Use and Comparison with Alcohol Attitudes. by Clement and others in Cannabis.

This study explored adolescent attitudes towards cannabis use and how they relate to attitudes towards alcohol use.

The key findings indicate that adolescents view cannabis use as more acceptable than alcohol use, and that they often use cannabis to cope with stress or social anxiety. The study also found that adolescents perceive cannabis as less harmful than alcohol.

The researchers conducted in-depth interviews with 30 adolescents aged 15 to 18 years to understand their attitudes and experiences with cannabis and alcohol use.

The findings have important implications for developing targeted interventions to address adolescent substance use and promote healthier coping strategies.

The study is limited by its small sample size and reliance on self-reported data, which may be subject to social desirability bias.

Alex Terrazas, PhD: The Cannabis Boomer 0:6:39

Continuing with our review of alcohol and cannabis co-use we have:

Monthly simultaneous cannabis and alcohol use: effects on depression, anxiety, and stress in male and female college students. by Hetelekides and others in Journal of Cannabis Research

This study examined the relationship between monthly simultaneous cannabis and alcohol use and mental health outcomes in male and female college students.

The key findings were that simultaneous use was associated with higher levels of depression, anxiety, and stress, and these associations differed by sex, with stronger links observed in female students.

The researchers used a cross-sectional survey design to assess co-use, depression, anxiety, and stress in a sample of college students. Participants self-reported their substance use and mental health symptoms.

The findings suggest that addressing simultaneous cannabis and alcohol use may be an important target for improving mental health among college students, particularly for female students.

The study was limited by its cross-sectional design, which precludes causal conclusions, and the reliance on self-reported data, which may be subject to recall bias.

Alex Terrazas, PhD: The Cannabis Boomer 0:8:0

And to round out our science review, I look at:

Sleep quality and duration following the use and co-use of alcohol and cannabis in the daily life of community adults. by Nance and others in the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence.

This study examined the day-level effects of cannabis and alcohol use on sleep quality and duration among middle-aged and older adults in the community.

The key findings suggest that cannabis use alone had negligible effects on sleep, but co-use of cannabis and alcohol attenuated the negative effects of alcohol on sleep. The study also found that the associations between substance use and sleep were similar across age groups.

The researchers used a daily diary method to collect data on substance use and sleep from a sample of middle-aged and older adults over a 14-day period. Participants reported their daily use of cannabis and alcohol, as well as their sleep quality and duration.

The findings have important clinical implications, as they suggest that the co-use of cannabis and alcohol may be a strategy used by some individuals to mitigate the negative effects of alcohol on sleep.

The study is limited by its reliance on self-reported data and the relatively short duration of the daily diary assessment period.

Michael 0:9:33

You've been listening to The Cannabis Boomer's Journal of News and Reviews in Cannabis Science. The Cannabis Boomer Podcast is not just for baby boomers and older adults but for all adults who are interested in the science of cannabis and health. Join the Cannabis Boomer daily for these concise scientific reviews and visit The Cannabis Boomer Podcast for in-depth looks and interviews.

Visit The Cannabis Boomer Podcast homepage at https//www.cannabisboomer.com for in-depth interviews with leading cannabis researchers.

#CannabisResearch #MarijuanaLegalization #AdolescentSubstanceUse #AlcoholAndCannabisCoUse #SleepQuality #CannabisScience #THC #CBD #OlderAdults #BabyBoomers