Author: Katsiaryna Bykov

Texas-based Christian nationalist pastor Joel Webbon has drawn widespread mockery after releasing a video claiming that marijuana makes men "spiritually gay" and urging Christian men to smoke tobacco instead. The controversial remarks, posted to social media on May 31, 2026, frame nicotine use as a tool for masculine resistance. In the viral video, Webbon dismissed decades of established medical research linking tobacco to cancer, labeling anti-smoking campaigns as one of the biggest "propaganda psyops" of the past half-century. According to Webbon, nicotine fosters strong, independent men who can resist government control, whereas cannabis supposedly feminizes users. "Marijuana makes you less…

A new study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine has revealed that fewer than one in five older adults discuss their cannabis use with clinicians. This communication gap occurs within an increasingly permissive policy landscape, even as seniors' perception of cannabis-related risks continues to decline sharply. Analyzing data from 14,387 participants in the 2021–2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), researchers evaluated substance use alongside healthcare interactions. The findings highlight a significant disconnect between substance prevalence and clinical engagement among older demographics: Given the heightened health risks associated with substance use in older age, the study's authors emphasize…

How the DOJ's Schedule III reclassification impacts state laws, business taxes, and clinical research.

Researchers at Gentofte University Hospital in Denmark have identified a potential link between medical cannabis and an increased risk of heart rhythm disorders. Analyzing the medical records of 1.6 million chronic pain patients, the study comes at a crucial time as medical marijuana gains rapid global acceptance as an alternative to traditional painkillers and opioids. The Danish research team tracked approximately 4,600 patients who filled at least one prescription for medical cannabis out of a larger pool of individuals suffering from chronic pain conditions, such as cancer, arthritis, nerve damage, and back issues. The goal was to determine if cannabis…

The Ministry for Regulation and the Ministry of Health have officially enacted a landmark regulatory framework for New Zealand’s hemp industry, effective May 28, 2026. This historic reform, championed by Regulation Minister David Seymour, revokes the outdated Industrial Hemp Regulations 2006 to drastically reduce barriers for local growers. A coalition representing over 95% of the country's licensed hemp operators—including the New Zealand Hemp Industries Association (NZHIA), the Aotearoa Hemp Alliance (AHA), and the New Zealand Medicinal Cannabis Council (NZMCC)—has welcomed the transition. By moving low-THC hemp regulation directly under the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 1977, the government has established a…

The Marijuana Policy Project (MPP) has confirmed a dramatic nationwide decrease in cannabis arrests driven by state-level legalization. Analyzing Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) crime data, the advocacy group found that arrest rates for illicit possession and sales plummeted by an average of 85.53% in the 24 states with regulated retail markets. This shift validates advocates' long-held expectations that regulated markets would successfully absorb illicit demand. The MPP report emphasized that a primary goal of legalization is to stop entangling citizens in the criminal justice system over a substance widely considered less dangerous than alcohol. Nationwide, total cannabis arrests have…

Advocates for cannabis legalization are facing mounting scrutiny as new research and legal actions dismantle their core arguments. Driven by a recent Lancet study and shifting demographic data, the narrative that legalized weed provides psychiatric relief and social justice for African Americans is rapidly unraveling. For decades, the push for legalization relied heavily on the promise of medical benefits. Originally championed during the AIDS epidemic to stimulate appetite, the supposed benefits eventually expanded to include treatments for anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, the medical narrative took a massive hit in April when The Lancet published a comprehensive meta-analysis. The study concluded…

Home cultivation of cannabis has evolved into a highly manageable gardening project, sharing many foundational similarities with growing warm-season crops like tomatoes. This agricultural shift allows enthusiasts to produce high-quality yields in their own backyards or indoor grow tents. However, success is heavily dictated by mastering specific environmental triggers, particularly strict light cycles and seasonal timing, which govern the plant's transition from vegetative growth to flowering. By understanding the distinct growth stages and genetic variations, growers can optimize their setups and avoid common pitfalls such as nutrient lockout, male pollination, or premature harvesting. Whether cultivating a towering Sativa outdoors or…

Understanding the distinct differences between heavily regulated medicinal cannabis, illegal recreational weed, and dangerous synthetic alternatives is crucial for Australian patients navigating modern treatment options. While medicinal strains are meticulously cultivated for therapeutic benefits under strict government frameworks, recreational and synthetic products pose significant legal and health risks due to a complete lack of quality control. Australian healthcare advocates and industry researchers are actively pushing back against lingering misinformation by clarifying the stark differences between regulated medicinal cannabis, recreational street weed, and synthetic substitutes. As Australia’s legal cannabis infrastructure rapidly expands to treat over 250 eligible health conditions, distinguishing between…

Iowa Auditor and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Rob Sand has announced a campaign proposal to legalize and regulate recreational marijuana for adults in the state. The plan aims to capture tax revenue currently lost to neighboring states and prioritize licensing for local family farms. Democratic gubernatorial candidate Rob Sand has unveiled a plan to legalize adult-use cannabis in Iowa, proposing a regulatory framework similar to alcohol. This announcement comes as Iowa continues to lose potential tax revenue to neighboring states with legal recreational markets, prompting Sand to advocate for keeping those economic benefits local. Sand, currently the Iowa Auditor and the…