Author: Hilary Macht

Medical researchers have determined that targeting the endocannabinoid system with low doses of THC can stop breast cancer cells from shifting identities and spreading throughout the body. Published in Communications Biology, the study demonstrates that modulating the CB2 receptor locks tumor cells into less invasive states, presenting a new approach to combat therapy-resistant malignancies. Cancer cells frequently display plasticity, spontaneously switching from specialized cells back into immature, stem-like states. This cellular identity switch allows tumors to evade conventional chemotherapy and radiation, which can inadvertently create evolutionary pressures that favor more aggressive, metastatic variants. How CB2R Modulation Blocks Tumor Progression To alter…

A systematic review of 30,000 participants shows e-cigarettes outperform traditional nicotine replacement therapies.

The UK wellness market faces a regulatory shift as lawmakers align CBD and nicotine-free vapes with tobacco control laws. Under the Tobacco and Vapes Act, which received Royal Assent on April 29, 2026, wellness-branded e-liquids must now comply with strict product standards, tax duties, and age restrictions. This policy alignment affects how herbal supplements, sleep aids, and topical treatments are sold when packaged in vaporized formats. For businesses tracking the wellness market, these rules dictate the future of product formulation, pricing, and retail display. Why Vape Liquids Overlap with the Wellness Sector Vape liquids have entered the wellness sector as…

A clinical trial by Charité Berlin finds prescription Dronabinol safely reduces trauma-related nightmares.

Researchers at Oregon State University have found that regular cannabis users wake up with elevated baseline levels of cortisol, the body's primary stress hormone. Published in the journal Cannabis, the study suggests that while cannabis is often used to unwind, chronic consumption may alter the body's natural stress response system. The research team, led by behavioral neuroscientist Anita Cservenka, focused on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. This system connects the brain and kidney glands to control cortisol release. Over time, consistently high cortisol levels can contribute to health issues, including anxiety and heart disease. To measure this, researchers analyzed saliva samples from…

The National Organization for Medicines in Greece has announced an immediate, nationwide ban on the retail sale, distribution, and supply of all dried cannabis flower products. This regulatory shift applies universally across the country, targeting both processed and unprocessed flowers regardless of their THC levels. The sudden policy shift impacts all economic operators, retailers, and distributors within the Greek cannabis sector. Under the new legislative framework, the country’s medicines authority has warned that all prohibited retail activities must cease immediately to avoid legal penalties. To ensure strict compliance, regulatory and law enforcement authorities plan to launch targeted market inspections. These…

Researchers at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania have confirmed that providing cost-free medical cannabis significantly reduces opioid dependency among chronic pain sufferers. Published in the Cureus Journal of Medical Science, the findings highlight cannabis as a viable harm-reduction tool when financial barriers are eliminated. The five-month observational study followed 29 adults who had lived with chronic pain for a median of 11 years. Prior to the study, these patients struggled to lower their prescription opioid intake and consistently cited the high cost of medical cannabis as a major barrier to alternative treatments. By removing the financial burden, researchers observed…

While THC and CBD usually dominate cannabis conversations, users seeking daytime focus and energy are increasingly turning their attention to a different component: terpenes. These aromatic compounds do more than just provide flavor and scent; they actively dictate whether a specific strain will leave you feeling creatively uplifted or heavily sedated. For anyone exploring cannabis products for daytime use, understanding terpenes is the key to avoiding the frustration of choosing a strain that feels too stimulating, overly foggy, or simply misaligned with your daily routine. What Terpenes Actually Do in Cannabis Terpenes are natural compounds found in cannabis and many…

French authorities will officially prohibit the sale of CBD edibles starting May 15. This sudden crackdown stems from a strict new interpretation of European Union Novel Food regulations and threatens to severely disrupt the nation's €100 million hemp-derived food supplement market. The ban is not driven by new domestic legislation. Instead, France's Directorate-General for Food is enforcing recent provisional thresholds established by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). The EFSA recently set a highly restrictive safe intake level of 0.0275 mg per kilogram of body weight per day. For an average 70-kilogram adult, this equates to roughly 2 mg of…

The federal government’s decision to move state-licensed medical cannabis to Schedule III has officially dismantled the crippling Section 280E tax barrier for qualifying businesses. Occurring amidst a massive industry transition, this shift allows standard business deductions but immediately exposes companies to complex IRS compliance and audit risks. For years, cannabis operators have functioned under a fundamentally distorted and punishing tax regime. Section 280E denied the basic deductions that every other traditional business takes for granted. This forced cannabis companies to pay taxes on a figure much closer to their gross income rather than their actual net profit. That restrictive framework…