Medical Cannabis

Old Baltimore Pike Apothecary and Smith’s Pharmacy II sue 4 PBMs and GoodRx over price manipulation. Avian influenza A(H5) impacts US dairy and poultry, with 53 human cases in 7 states. Lenacapavir for PrEP shows strong efficacy in phase 3 trial. Ruth Carrico discusses flu vaccination importance. Prescription drugs considered critical infrastructure. DEA to hold hearing on marijuana rescheduling. RA patients show low adherence to Mediterranean diet. Pharmacies and DEA share responsibility under CSA. Supreme Court decisions impact pharmacy industry. Inflation Reduction Act affects pharmacy reimbursement.

A 33-year-old man, Wayne Holung, was arrested in Markham for allegedly carrying a loaded gun, cocaine, and pills believed to be a controlled substance during a sobriety check. He faces seven criminal charges, including possession of a firearm without a licence and cocaine trafficking.

Psilocybin mushrooms, or “magic mushrooms,” contain psychoactive compounds that affect mood and perception by interacting with serotonin receptors in the brain. Historically used in spiritual practices, particularly in Mesoamerican cultures, psilocybin is gaining attention for its potential to treat depression, anxiety, PTSD, and addiction, with promising results from clinical trials. However, their use carries risks, including psychological distress, especially for those with mental health conditions. While psilocybin remains illegal in many places, decriminalization and medical research are increasing, particularly in areas like Oregon. Caution is advised due to potential misidentification and psychological effects.

Gastroparesis diagnosis requires symptoms, exclusion of mechanical obstruction, and evidence of delayed gastric emptying. Gold-standard tests include gastric emptying scintigraphy and the stable isotope gastric-emptying breath test. Management strategies include optimizing nutrition, prokinetic medications, antiemetics, neuromodulators, and nonpharmacologic therapies like gastric electrical stimulation and acupuncture. Surgical options include pyloroplasty and G-POEM for refractory cases.

Adding medical marijuana to state PDMPs reduced prescriptions for drugs contraindicated with cannabis but also revealed a bias against medical marijuana patients, potentially denying them other controlled substances.

MAPS received FDA approval for a clinical trial examining cannabis' impact on PTSD in veterans, focusing on 'real-world' use and higher THC content.

Two people arrested and drugs seized in Baton Rouge and Marrero drug bust, with multiple firearms and narcotics confiscated by EBRSO and JPSO.

A traffic stop by Moulton Police led to the arrest of John Thomas Miller and Douglas Wesley Gray, uncovering methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, and stolen construction site equipment.

Denmark's six-year medical cannabis pilot scheme may transition to a fully legalized market, following a government announcement. The pilot, which has seen a 90% growth in prescriptions, aims to become permanent by 2025, with plans to streamline the current four-framework system and standardize licensing and reimbursement processes. The move is expected to expand the market and increase access to treatment, with potential impacts already seen in rising cannabis stocks.