NEWS & MEDIA

Brazilian study transforms 14 cannabis seeds into 4,000 seedlings

Published: 09 January, 2025

The study used mini-cutting techniques , already established in other cultures, such as forestry, and adapted them for cannabis production. According to Gustavo Baesso, forestry engineer and managing partner of Buds INC, this approach...

Opioid deaths decline “immediately” following legalisation of cannabis, research shows

Published: 08 January, 2025

A new study has revealed that deaths caused by opioid overdose in the USA go down directly after the legalisation of recreational cannabis. The study also showed that states which changed their...

Chronic pain patients are more supportive of cannabis access than doctors

Published: 07 January, 2025

Adults with chronic pain are significantly more supportive of policies expanding cannabis access than the physicians who treat them, according to a study from Rutgers Health and other institutions. The study, published...

Cannabinoid CBG reduces anxiety and stress in first human clinical trial

Published: 30 December, 2024

A lesser-known cannabinoid that is gaining in popularity Cannabigerol (CBG) effectively reduced anxiety in a clinical trial without the intoxication typically associated with whole plant cannabis. It may even have some memory...

Medical Cannabis Access Expands in Czech Republic with New GP Prescription Law

Published: 23 December, 2024

Thousands more doctors in the Czech Republic will soon be permitted to prescribe medical cannabis under a new decree published by the Ministry of Health. From April 2025, the country’s 5,000 general...

Physicians call for health-first approach to drug policy

Published: 18 December, 2024

The Royal Australasian College of Physicians is calling for drug policy that puts people’s health first in its latest position statement. The position statement focuses on the need to have a comprehensive...

As cigarette prices soar, Australians aged 50+ turn to cannabis

Published: 16 December, 2024

New research from Curtin University has revealed increasing cigarette prices over the past several years have seen more older Australians turn to cannabis use as an alternative. Researchers from Curtin’s School of Accounting, Economics and...

Penington Institute launches "Regulate It?" campaign to encourage cannabis discussion in Victoria

Published: 11 December, 2024

Drug policy think tank the Penington Institute has launched a campaign encouraging Victorians to consider their stance on cannabis regulation in a bid to kickstart a conversation around the issue. The ‘Regulate...

‘War on drugs has failed, completely and utterly’: UN human rights chief

Published: 10 December, 2024

Speaking at the ‘Dealing with Drugs II’ conference in Warsaw on Thursday, High Commissioner Volker Türk highlighted the urgent need for a human rights-based approach to drug regulation, pointing to record numbers of...

Millennials are shaping cannabis culture in US & Canada

Published: 20 November, 2024

A new demographics report in cannabis trends offers valuable insights into the age, gender, and geography of cannabis sales in Canada and the United States. Key Findings Age Demographics Millennials and Gen...

Clinical Evidence Supports Cannabis 'Entourage Effect'

Published: 12 November, 2024

A groundbreaking study conducted by researchers from Johns Hopkins University and the University of Colorado has provided compelling evidence for the long-debated "entourage effect" in cannabis. This double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study focused...

NSW Parliamentary Inquiry Recommends Immediate Steps Towards Decriminalising Cannabis

Published: 06 November, 2024

The NSW parliamentary committee inquiry has recommended steps towards the decriminalisation of cannabis, despite Premier Chris Minns' stated refusal to progress drug decriminalisation laws in the state. The inquiry, chaired by NSW...

National Survey Reveals More Than One-Third of U.S. Women Consume Cannabis

Published: 06 November, 2024

The survey, conducted online by The Harris Poll on behalf of MedMen, found that more than one-third (37%) of American women aged 21+ consume cannabis, and more than one in four (28%)...

Dispensaries are America’s new corner shop

Published: 01 November, 2024

Most Americans now live in a state that has legalised the drug. And most also have at least one cannabis dispensary in their county, according to a new Pew Research Center analysis....

Victoria Plans Reform for Medical Cannabis Patients Who Drive

Published: 31 October, 2024

Victoria is proposing changes to protect medical cannabis patients from automatic licence cancellation. This groundbreaking reform acknowledges a crucial gap in current legislation that affects thousands of prescribed patients. Currently, medical cannabis...

California's Legislation: Dutch-Style Cannabis Cafes Coming Soon

Published: 04 October, 2024

California has taken a bold step forward in cannabis legislation, with Governor Gavin Newsom signing Assembly Bill 1775 into law on October 1, 2024. This groundbreaking legislation allows for Amsterdam-style cannabis cafes...

Cannabis Sales Outpace Chocolate and Craft Beer in the US

Published: 17 September, 2024

The legal cannabis market in the US has seen remarkable growth in recent years, achieving a significant milestone. According to a report from MJBizDaily, Americans spent an impressive $30 billion on legal...

Blackmore Family donates $10 million for naturopathic research

Published: 17 September, 2024

Southern Cross University has received a $10 million gift from the Blackmore Family Foundation to further research and education in naturopathic medicine. This is the second major contribution from the Blackmore Family...

Cannabis in the ACT: Know the Facts

Published: 17 September, 2024

While cannabis remains largely prohibited across the nation, the ACT has decriminalised personal use and cultivation, offering its residents a unique degree of freedom. Let's delve into the specifics of these laws,...

Exploring the Potential of Home Cultivation for Medicinal Cannabis Users in Australia

Published: 17 September, 2024

Medicinal cannabis has proven its efficacy in treating a range of conditions, from chronic pain to epilepsy. However, the high cost of legally obtained medicinal cannabis products remains a significant obstacle for...

Workplace Drug Testing in Victoria

Published: 17 September, 2024

A new report has found that employees prescribed medicinal cannabis have lost their jobs or faced disciplinary action in Victoria. The report, produced by the Victorian Government’s Legal and Social Issues Committee,...

Cannabis and Muscle Spasms

Published: 13 September, 2024

Medical cannabis is increasingly recognised for its potential to alleviate muscle spasms, with evidence primarily emerging from multiple sclerosis (MS) research. Muscle spasms, or involuntary hypertonicity, can be caused by a variety...

Germany sets cannabis driving limits while NSW continues to criminalise users

Published: 12 September, 2024

German president Frank-Walter Steinmeier signed off on legislation a fortnight ago to set a limit for driving under the influence of cannabis, with the new legal limit that's now taken effect being...

Lead Candidate Announcement

Published: 02 September, 2024

We are delighted to announce our lead Senate candidates for Victoria and NSW for the upcoming Federal election. In Victoria, Fiona Patten will be known to many of you. She was first elected to Victoria’s State Parliament...

Could cannabis ease suffering for rural palliative care patients?

Published: 26 August, 2024

Terminally ill people in rural Australia have fewer options when it comes to symptom relief. Could medicinal cannabis be the answer? A new Mater medical trial will offer palliative care patients in rural and regional...

What are the drug-driving laws really costing you?

Published: 26 August, 2024

This podcast discusses cannabis driving law reform, focusing on the impact of current laws on medical cannabis patients. The podcast is hosted by Martin Lane, co-founder of Cannabiz, and David Ettershank, an...

First year of legal home grow yields big returns for these medical cannabis patients

Published: 07 August, 2024

Growing cannabis at home has been “pretty darn rewarding” for Joseph Diaz. He’s one of many Minnesotans who are medical patients that are growing their own cannabis after Minnesota legalized home grow...

Justice finally looming for medicinal cannabis patients

Published: 31 July, 2024

Legalise Cannabis MP Jeremy Buckingham has called on the NSW Government to follow Victoria’s lead and investigate a defence for unimpaired medical cannabis drivers. In a historic move this afternoon, the Allan...

Victorian Sporting Legends Back Medicinal Cannabis Drivers

Published: 31 July, 2024

A trio of Aussie sporting heroes is stepping up to the plate for medicinal cannabis users. AFL coaches Damien Hardwick and Alastair Clarkson, along with champion jockey Damien Oliver, are urging the...

Cannabis and Mental Health: Cannabis for Psychiatric Disorders

Published: 30 July, 2024

Recent studies have shed light on the potential of medicinal cannabis in addressing various psychiatric conditions, while also raising questions about its impact on psychosis. No Increased Risk of Psychosis in High-Risk...

The rise of the ‘Cannamums’

Published: 22 July, 2024

Modern mothers often need support with overwhelm and anxiety—and for some of us, that help can be surreptitiously puffed in the backyard while Peppa Pig entertains the little ones. While a glass of...

Daily Cannabis Use Overtakes Daily Alcohol Consumption in the US: A New Era of Substance Use?

Published: 22 July, 2024

A groundbreaking study published in the journal Addiction has revealed a significant shift in substance use trends in the United States: for the first time, more Americans report using cannabis daily or...

Latest wastewater results give Aussies bronze medal for cannabis use

Published: 22 July, 2024

Australia ranks third for cannabis consumption amongst developed nations, according to the latest drug wastewater report out today. On any one day, 14 per cent of Aussies have consumed the drug, compared...

NSW Government announces four-day drug summit before the end of this year.

Published: 12 July, 2024

A NSW Premier Chris Minns has announced the dates for a four-day Sydney and regional drug summit, alongside a $33.9m funding boost to create and support 12 drug and alcohol support hubs....

Brazil’s Supreme Court decriminalises possession of cannabis for personal use

Published: 28 June, 2024

Brazil's Supreme Court has made a historic decision to decriminalise the possession of cannabis for personal use, marking a significant shift in the nation’s drug policy. This ruling, long-awaited by activists and...

Legalise Cannabis, Animal Justice, and Greens Lead Charge for Permanent Pill Testing in Victoria

Published: 25 June, 2024

Legalise Cannabis, Animal Justice, and Greens Lead Charge for Permanent Pill Testing in Victoria Victoria has announced that its pill testing service, after an 18-month trial, will become permanent, influenced by persistent...

Where is Cannabis Legal in Europe?

Published: 17 June, 2024

Here's a quick overview: ✅ Legalised: Malta: First EU country to fully legalise adult-use, with non-profit cannabis clubs leading the way. Luxembourg: Home cultivation of up to 4 plants now legal, with...

Cannabidiol - an effective analgesic for toothache?

Published: 17 June, 2024

The study by Chrepa et al. is a randomised, placebo-controlled, triple-arm, phase IIA clinical trial with double masking which investigates the effectiveness and safety of Cannabidiol (CBD) as an analgesic for acute...

Hemp Bill Gives Victorian Farmers Opportunity to Grow VFF

Published: 17 June, 2024

The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) is backing a private members Bill that would remove regulations stopping farmers from growing industrial hemp. VFF President Emma Germano said the Hemp Industry Bill 2024 introduced into the...

Clinical outcome analysis of patients with multiple sclerosis Clinical outcome analysis of patients with multiple sclerosis – UK Medical Cannabis Registry

Published: 17 June, 2024

Whilst disease-modifying therapies are the cornerstone for treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS), there is a need to develop novel therapeutics for the symptomatic sequalae of the disease. Cannabis-based medicinal products (CBMPs) have...

LGBT people’s use of alcohol, tobacco, e-cigarettes and other drugs

Published: 12 June, 2024

Gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) people can be at an increased risk of alcohol, tobacco and other drug problems (Department of Health and Aged Care 2017). These increased risks may...

Local hemp dreams heard

Published: 06 June, 2024

Farmers, community members and potential investors gathered at Barham this week to learn more about an exciting opportunity for the region. Attendees listened to how the growing, processing and value-adding of industrial...

Drug Driving in NSW: Lawful Cannabis Use and Honest Mistake Are No Defence

Published: 06 June, 2024

The medicinal cannabis industry in Australia was long criticised for its slow laborious movement towards accessible product. However, over recent years, the snail pace has developed into a gallop, as the nation,...

New study suggests it's time to ditch long-held stereotypes about cannabis

Published: 23 May, 2024

People who use cannabis are not as lazy and unmotivated as stereotypes suggest, according to new U of T Scarborough research. The study, published by the journal Social Psychological and Personality Science, surveyed chronic cannabis...

The history of medical cannabis in ancient China

Published: 23 May, 2024

Noodles, dumplings, and paper: when you think of Chinese innovations, the last thing that comes to mind is cannabis. Yet the Chinese were the first to come up with a documented medicinal...

Victorian RDT trial to take 2 years

Published: 21 May, 2024

The Victorian Labor Government has advised LCV that the closed-circuit track driving trial for medicinal cannabis patients won’t be completed until mid-2026. This directly contradicts their previous undertaking that it would be...

Biden Makes Historic Cannabis Rescheduling Announcement

Published: 17 May, 2024

President Joe Biden has announced that his administration is officially moving to reschedule cannabis under federal law, applauding the “monumental” action that follows an extensive administrative review that he directed. The Justice...

RDT trial receives almost $5 million in Victorian Budget

Published: 16 May, 2024

The battle to change unjust roadside drug testing laws saw a significant win with the announcement of $4.9 million in the Victorian Budget to fund a trial. Speaking in a recent Cannabiz podcast,...

Age-related Patterns of Medical Cannabis Use: A Survey of Authorised Patients in Canada

Published: 09 May, 2024

An increasing number of Canadians are registering as authorized users of medical cannabis. Older patients comprise a growing subset of this population; however, relatively little information exists around age-related patterns of medical...

New Research Suggests Legalistion May Reduce Youth Substance Use

Published: 09 May, 2024

A new report published by the the American Medical Association (AMA) finds that neither adult-use cannabis legalisation nor the opening of retail stores in U.S. states led to increases in youth cannabis...

Introducing Permanent Stays Bill NSW

Published: 09 May, 2024

The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse broke open the dark and often unspoken truths of child sexual abuse in a way that henceforth no-one could ever hide behind...

Nimbin Mardi Grass: A Celebration of Cannabis Culture and Freedom

Published: 24 April, 2024

Tucked away in the lush hinterlands of Northern New South Wales, Australia, lies the counter-culture haven of Nimbin. This quirky village is infamous for its open embrace of cannabis culture, and each...

Hundreds of supporters attend picnic rally, 36 arrested at Melbourne park

Published: 22 April, 2024

Police have swarmed on a pro-marijuana rally where hundreds where campaigning for the legalisation of the drug. At least 36 people were arrested at an annual pro-cannabis picnic at Melbourne’s Flagstaff Gardens....

3WA Interview- David Ettershank on 420 in the park 2024

Published: 19 April, 2024

MP David Ettershank has hit out at Victorian Police Commissioner, Shane Patton, after the top cop said police will ensure no one breaks the law at a 420 event this Saturday. Member...

This telehealth service changed Fiona’s life, but now it’s out of money

Published: 19 April, 2024

A world-first telehealth psychiatry service is at risk of closing despite needing only $400,000 a year to survive, amid a growing push for a payroll tax levy to help fund NSW’s ballooning...

Media Release: Melbourne Legalise Advocates To Join International Cannabis Celebrations on Saturday, April 20

Published: 19 April, 2024

MPs and advocates for the legalisation of cannabis will join the international 420 cannabis celebrations on Saturday, April 20, gathering in Flagstaff Gardens from 2pm. Following heavy handed policing at last year’s...

Call to Boost Mental Health Funding Following Bondi Attack

Published: 19 April, 2024

Deliberations for the NSW Budget will include a bid to introduce a payroll levy on the state’s largest employers to reverse a slide in mental health funding. Legalise Cannabis MP Jeremy Buckingham...

Judge Recognises that Medicinal Cannabis Producers are Not Criminals

Published: 17 April, 2024

The benefits of cannabis medicine are becoming widely accepted within the Australian community. However, laws around the non-profit cultivation of the plant to help the sick continue to carry the same level...

Uruguay: Pioneering Recreational Cannabis Legalisation

Published: 11 April, 2024

Uruguay was the first country in the world to legalise cannabis and has a history of progressive drug policies, with personal possession of drugs being decriminalised as early as 1974. In December...

Hempcrete Pottery

Published: 09 April, 2024

Hemp can be used to make Hempcrete pottery. The process involves creating a mould of the desired shape, then filling it with a mixture of hemp and lime. The hempcrete would then...

Bio Plastics from Hemp

Published: 09 April, 2024

The process of making bioplastics from hemp involves extracting sugar from the hemp plant to convert into polylactic acids (PLAs). The cellulose content of hemp (65-70%) makes it an ideal plastic manufacturing...

Hemp Fabric: 100% Biodegradable and Grown Pesticide Free

Published: 08 April, 2024

Imagine a fabric that caters to all your needs - comfort, breathability, and durability. A fabric stronger than cotton, making it a long lasting addition to your wardrobe. A fabric that breathes...

Hemp Paper: The Eco-Concious Choice

Published: 04 April, 2024

HEMP PAPER Hemp paper offers numerous advantages over traditional tree based paper, making it a beneficial and viable alternative. Rapid Growth and Sustainability Hemp paper is sustainable. Unlike trees, which can take...

Could medicinal cannabis be the answer to the pain of endometriosis?

Published: 02 April, 2024

Deakin researchers are exploring the potential use of medicinal cannabis for pain management in people with endometriosis. The 'EndoCannED' trial will look at whether prescribing medicinal cannabis instead of opioids can reduce...

About time’: NSW launches inquiry into legalising cannabis

Published: 22 March, 2024

Australia’s biggest state will launch a probe into laws surrounding the prohibition of cannabis, with one MP claiming the legalisation of weed could save the state billions of dollars. An upper house...

Transforming Cannabis Laws in NSW: A Historic Inquiry

Published: 21 March, 2024

In a groundbreaking session of the NSW Parliament, The Hon. Jeremy Buckingham has initiated a call for an in-depth inquiry into the regulatory framework for cannabis in New South Wales. This comprehensive...

Media Release: WA Cannabis Party Doubles Down

Published: 21 March, 2024

In another parliamentary first, Legalise Cannabis WA MPs Dr Brian Walker and Sophia Moermond today tabled not one, but two cannabis bills. Following their anticipated attempt to legislate for adult recreational use...

Why Cannabis Will Be Legalised In The Next Decade

Published: 20 March, 2024

One of Australia's most experienced and respected senior police officers has stepped up his campaign to regulate cannabis and believes the drug will be freely and legally available within five years. Mick...

Hempcrete facility on Mid North Coast paves way for alternative building materials

Published: 20 March, 2024

Former footballer Anthony Coffey discovered the benefits of hemp for its medicinal properties when he was living with chronic pain from sports injuries. His exploration of hemp growing for medical purchases led...

Adelaide driver disputes loss of licence following official drug test proving he was not under the influence

Published: 20 March, 2024

Published on www.abc.net.au An Adelaide man who falsely tested positive on a roadside drug screening has been issued a three-month loss of licence, despite official follow-up laboratory results revealing he was not...

Turning Pain into Power with Medical Cannabis

Published: 18 March, 2024

I am a 32-year-old father of 4. Before this, I had only had experiences with cannabis in my teens. I rarely drink alcohol and can go months or years without drinking a...

NSW Mental Health Minister Rose Jackson acknowledges calls for NSW to expand psilocybin, MDMA treatments

Published: 14 March, 2024

The NSW Mental Health Minister says it is currently “too difficult” for sufferers of severe PTSD and depression to access emerging therapies. NSW Mental Health Minister Rose Jackson has conceded more needs...

Media Release: Campaign for sensible access to psychedelic therapies

Published: 13 March, 2024

Advocates for mental health reform are fronting a campaign to remove NSW specific obstacles to new treatments that have become available across Australia for patients with treatment-resistant depression and post-traumatic stress disorder...

Scientists Find 2,700-Year-Old Pot

Published: 12 March, 2024

Scientists have discovered two pounds of a dried plant that turned out to be the oldest marijuana in the world. Inside one of the Yanghai Tombs excavated in the Gobi Desert, a team of researchers...

Federation TAFE in Ballarat offers first accredited medicinal cannabis cultivation course

Published: 10 March, 2024

Ballarat's Federation TAFE will be the first campus in Australia to deliver nationally accredited training in medicinal cannabis cultivation and production. Medicinal cannabis is growing in popularity as a treatment option for ailments including...

Limited evidence that cannabis ‘hangover’ blunts performance

Published: 10 March, 2024

Little evidence to support 24-hour pause on safety-sensitive tasks The first systematic review examining the phenomenon of a 'next day' hangover caused by cannabis has found scant evidence impairment exists hours after...

Alternaleaf brand to appear on NRL players’ jerseys in major sponsorship deal

Published: 08 March, 2024

Alternaleaf has signed a high-profile sponsorship deal with the Dolphins National Rugby League side in a move that will see the brand appear on players’ shirts and at packed-out stadiums in Queensland....

2GB Interview: Jeremy Buckingham with Ben Fordham

Published: 07 March, 2024

Jeremy Buckingham recently appeared on 2GB to discuss his article published in the Daily Telegraph, where he supports the idea of legalising cannabis. He emphasises that legalising cannabis could help reduce organised...

Hemp is a superfood with a low-carbon footprint, and many uses. So why isn't Australia embracing it?

Published: 05 March, 2024

Most of us are familiar with hemp clothing, and some of us have tried eating hemp seeds with yoghurt or blending them into smoothies. It's been hailed as a superfood that can...

National Drug Strategy Household Survey 2022–2023

Published: 29 February, 2024

Drugs can cause harm to individuals, families and communities. These drugs include alcohol, tobacco, electronic cigarettes and vapes (‘e‑cigarettes’), illicit drugs, and pharmaceuticals used for non-medical purposes. The harm caused by drugs can be health‑related, such...

Legalise Cannabis Victoria urges government to get on with drug-driving trial

Published: 28 February, 2024

Legalise Cannabis Victoria has called on the state government to get on with its drug-driving trial after new research by Swinburne University found no evidence of impairment in medicinal cannabis users during a simulated...

Germany legalises possession of cannabis for personal use

Published: 25 February, 2024

Published 23rd Feb 2024 The Guardian Australia by Lenore Taylor Germany’s parliament has passed a law allowing individuals and voluntary associations to grow and hold limited quantities of cannabis, making it the...

THC in blood and saliva are poor measures of cannabis impairment

Published: 19 February, 2024

A new study suggests these biomarkers are inconsistent indicators. The findings contrast with the much stronger relationship between blood alcohol concentrations and driving impairment, with implications for the application of drug-driving laws...

Activists vindicated for breaking ad laws after projecting pro-cannabis images onto Opera House/

Published: 19 February, 2024

Famously described by Prime Minister Scott Morrison as the “biggest billboard Sydney has”, the Sydney Opera House is protected by several heritage and advertising laws. Despite the strict laws, Cannabis activists Alec...

Cannabis battle shows up alcohol hypocrisy

Published: 16 February, 2024

In Australia “medicinal” cannabis is legal while “recreational” cannabis is not, yet there is no clear line between the two, only a continuum. Allow me to set the scene. In November the...

Drug-driving reform in NSW – the Government’s majority could depend on it

Published: 15 February, 2024

After 11,000 people signed a recent petition demanding reform to the state’s drug-driving laws, Legalise Cannabis NSW MP Jeremy Buckingham says the Government can’t ignore the clamour for change forever. Picture this: you’re...

Depression and the Potential Therapeutic Effects of Medical Cannabis

Published: 12 February, 2024

In this day and age, the use of medical cannabis is no longer a fringe idea. It’s a topic of serious conversation, vibrant debate, and ongoing research. One area of focus is...

NSW to consider medicinal cannabis expansion and drug law reform as hemp industry tipped to boom

Published: 08 February, 2024

Agriculture minister Tara Moriarty flags opportunity for hemp farmers ahead of formation of agriculture taskforce to drive growth. The New South Wales agriculture minister has opened the door to increasing the production...

Hemp Plastic Could Be the Answer to a More Environmentally Friendly Australia

Published: 07 February, 2024

As cannabis legalisation expands globally, the spotlight often falls on its medical potential. However, the versatility of hemp, a close relative of cannabis, extends beyond therapeutics. Hemp is emerging as a powerful...

Report Reveals that NSW Drink Driving Laws Work, Whilst Drug Driving Remains a Joke

Published: 31 January, 2024

A just released report advises that reforms to New South Wales drink- and drug-driving laws, which have seen penalty notices, triggering licence suspensions and fines, issued to first-time low-level drink drivers and drivers with...

Study: THC Blood Levels Not Correlated With Changes In Driving Performance

Published: 31 January, 2024

Toronto, Canada: The presence of THC in blood is not predictive of detriments in psychomotor performance, according to driving simulator data published in the journal JAMA Network Open. Researchers affiliated with the University of Toronto assessed...