Category: Cannabis Info-2

TROY, Mich., May 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Conifer Insurance Services (“Conifer”), a pioneer in cannabis insurance solutions, in partnership with Skyward Specialty Insurance Group™ (“Skyward Specialty”), a leader in the specialty property and casualty market, announced the launch of its new Cannabis Select program, a high-capacity insurance solution built for the evolving needs of multi-state operators (MSOs) and larger cannabis businesses nationwide. Designed to complement Conifer’s long-standing Cannabis Essentials program, Cannabis Select offers elevated coverage limits, expanded property protection, and advanced risk management solutions to support the industry’s continued growth.

Conifer has served the cannabis industry for over a decade, standing apart through its commitment to responsive service, speed to market, and experience in underwriting. Since Bishop Street Underwriters’ acquisition of Conifer Insurance Services in 2024, significant investments have been made in underwriting talent and AI-driven insights to scale solutions for agency partners and cannabis businesses at every stage of growth.

“As the cannabis industry matures, our agency partners have consistently shared the need for higher limits and greater capacity,” said Nick Petcoff, CEO of Conifer Insurance Services. “Cannabis Select is a direct response to that need, building on our long track record of success while maintaining the service-first, flexible approach that has always defined Conifer.”

Skyward Specialty President, Captives & Specialty Programs Corey LaFlamme commented, “The partnership with Conifer is a powerful example of Skyward Specialty’s “rule our niche” strategy in action, where we provide high-impact, tailored solutions to highly niche markets.”

The addition of the Cannabis Select program expands the breadth of cannabis offerings Conifer provides this market. Its existing Cannabis Essentials program remains a trusted solution for businesses earlier in their journey, delivering affordable, accessible coverage to dispensaries, smaller grows and localized operations. The new Cannabis Select program offers high-limit, specialty coverage for retail dispensaries, cultivators and manufacturers operating at scale.

Conifer now provides two tailored program options:

Leadership with Deep Expertise

The expansion of Conifer’s cannabis practice is being led by Kathleen Brown-Hurtado, president of Cannabis Specialty Programs, who brings extensive leadership experience and strategic vision to the team. Kathleen is joined by Jason Scheurle, vice president of Cannabis Specialty Programs, adding further industry expertise to support program growth and agency partner success.

“As cannabis businesses scale, their insurance needs grow more complex.” said Brown-Hurtado, “Cannabis Select delivers the higher limits and specialized protections larger operations demand, while Cannabis Essentials ensures we remain the go-to partner for startups and growth-stage businesses alike.”

To learn more about the Cannabis Select and Cannabis Essentials programs, or to get appointed with Conifer, visit coniferinsurance.com/cannabis or contact our experts:

• Kathleen Brown-Hurtado: 925-383-3457, kbrown-hurtado@coniferinsurance.com
• Joe Lyons: 248-262-5990, jlyons@coniferinsurance.com
• Matt Webber: 248-480-2990, mwebber@coniferinsurance.com

About Conifer Insurance Services

Founded in 2012 and headquartered in Troy, Michigan, Conifer Insurance Services is a specialty MGA focused on delivering insurance solutions for emerging and underserved markets. With a deep expertise in niche industries including Cannabis, Hospitality and Liquor Liability, Conifer empowers agency partners with access to competitive, A-rated coverage backed by responsive underwriting and tailored risk management. For more information about Conifer’s cannabis programs, visit coniferinsurance.com

About Skyward Specialty

Skyward Specialty SKWD is a rapidly growing and innovative specialty insurance company, delivering commercial property and casualty products and solutions on a non-admitted and admitted basis. The Company operates through eight underwriting divisions — Accident & Health, Agriculture and Credit (Re)insurance, Captives, Construction & Energy Solutions, Global Property, Professional Lines, Specialty Programs, Surety and Transactional E&S.

Skyward Specialty’s subsidiary insurance companies consist of Great Midwest Insurance Company, Houston Specialty Insurance Company, Imperium Insurance Company, and Oklahoma Specialty Insurance Company. These insurance companies are rated A (Excellent) with a stable outlook by A.M. Best Company. For more information about Skyward Specialty, its people, and its products, please visit skywardinsurance.com.

MEDIA CONTACTS

Conifer Media Contact

Matt Webber, VP, Business Development

mwebber@coniferinsurance.com

246-480-2990

Skyward Specialty Media Contact

Haley Doughty, Chief Marketing Officer & VP, Communications

Hdoughty@skywardinsurance.com

713-935-4944

MIAMI, May 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Goldflower Cannabis, one of Florida’s fastest-growing vertically integrated cannabis companies, proudly announces the grand opening of its seventh retail location, set to open in the vibrant heart of Miami on Saturday, June 14th at 7401 Bird Road, Miami.

Known for setting a new standard in cannabis cultivation, product excellence, and customer experience, Goldflower continues its expansion to meet rising patient demand across the state. Goldflower’s Miami store will offer South Florida medical cannabis patients access to its celebrated line of Comparable to Organic flower, solventless concentrates, and premium edibles—all produced with the company’s signature reverence for the plant and passion for excellence.

Goldflower’s curated brand portfolio includes in-house lines like Ideal Cannabis (the only certified Comparable to Organic grown flower in Florida), Space Coast, and GHOST, best in class national brands such as DH Farms by Doghouse and Turn vapes, as well as exclusive licensed collaborations with cultural icons such as Method Man, Ricky Williams, and Randy Lanier. Goldflower is also licensed to sell Lion Order products, created with superstars such as Ray Lewis of the Ravens, Mike James of the Bucs and Lions, Rohan Marley, and Michael Phelps. In fact, the Miami location will feature the state’s largest selection of Lion Order offerings. Each product embodies Goldflower’s relentless focus on purity, flavor, and innovation.

Founded by leaders behind one of the largest cannabis exits in U.S. history (Cura), Goldflower has rapidly gained a reputation for producing Florida’s best flower, delivering top-tier customer service in their luxury stores to the best customers, and scaling a sustainable and profitable cannabis business.

As for the Miami storefront, located near high-traffic areas and designed with Goldflower’s signature boutique aesthetic, the new Miami location will feature:

• A curated product selection including exclusive strains from Ideal Cannabis and partner brands like DH Farms by Doghouse, Space Coast, and Imperial Farms
• Celebrity-endorsed licensed brands, including Method Man’s T4, Ricky Williams’ 34, and Rohan Marley, Ray Lewis, Michael Phelps, and Mike James’s Lion Order
• White-glove service and a patient-first ethos that defines Goldflower’s customer experience

“Miami is a cultural hub with a thriving medical cannabis community, and we’re excited to bring our unmatched quality, service, and products to this incredible city,” says Angelo Lombardi, President of Goldflower Cannabis. 

The Miami opening follows the recent launch of stores in Bradenton, Largo, St. Petersburg, Ocala, and Sebring, with Orlando, Bonita Springs, Lakeland, The Villages, Cape Coral, Tallahassee, and Jacksonville on the horizon. With vertically integrated operations—including 300,000 square feet of cultivation and manufacturing space and two delivery hubs—Goldflower is positioned to dominate the Florida cannabis market.

For more on Goldflower Cannabis, and to be kept up to date with opening news and brand developments, visit: goldflowerfl.com.

Disclaimers: Goldflower is a licensed medical marijuana treatment center in the State of Florida. All product names, logos, and brands are property of their respective owners and used under license. Products are intended for medical use only and are available exclusively to qualified patients. This release may contain forward-looking statements and is for informational purposes only. Store opening is subject to regulatory approval.

Media Contact: [email protected] 

SOURCE Goldflower Cannabis

Utah officials have confirmed that the state reached a new milestone with its medical marijuana program, with more than 100,000 patients now registered.

It’s been about seven years since Utah voters approved a ballot initiative to legalize medical cannabis. And according to new data from the state Department of Health and Human Services’s Center for Medical Cannabis (CMC), the program continues to see growth.

As of April, there are 100,144 registered patients and 993 qualified medical providers, CMC’s report shows.

That’s up nearly 20,000 registrants since around this time last year, when the patient population totaled around 83,000. In 2025 alone, the number of patients rose by about 20 percent.

Via CMC.

“It’s a major milestone in the program that represents a lot of work that patients have done to find medications that work for them,” Rich Oborn, head of CMC, told Fox 13. “Medical cannabis is something that’s evaluated carefully with help from a physician.”

While there are more than 20 qualifying conditions that doctors can issue recommendations for medical cannabis, the overwhelming majority of patients (85,355) are using marijuana for pain, followed by post-traumatic stress disorder (6,573) and nausea (2,084).

As more patients have registered, sales have also steadily increased over the last five years, with monthly purchases  reaching just over $15 million in recent months. Cumulative sales are nearing the $600 million since the program launched, according to the state report.

Via CMC.

Interestingly, while many states that have enacted legalization typically see cannabis flower as the most in-demand form of marijuana from dispensaries, patients spent more on vapes and cartridges ($6.9 million) than flower ($4.8 million) last month.

“Reaching 100,000 registered medical cannabis patients in Utah is an encouraging milestone. It shows that the program is working and that patients across the state are turning to plant medicine alternatives to manage chronic and debilitating conditions,” Desiree Hennessy, executive director of the Utah Patients Coalition, told Marijuana Moment on Monday.

“Wider acceptance from physicians, patient education, increasing destigmatization and improved access to plant medicine are all huge components of this milestone,” she said. “Every day we hear success stories from Utahns who have finally found relief from conditions that pharmaceuticals could not address.”

“While there’s a long way to go and we want to expand into pre-qualifying conditions, this represents how the concept of medical cannabis is being reevaluated and people are finally listening,” Hennessy said. “Just six years ago, this was a theoretical program on paper. Today, it’s a lifeline for one out of thirty-five Utahns.”

Meanwhile, in March, a poll found that a majority of Utah voters support legalizing adult-use marijuana in the state. The survey showed that 52 percent of registered Utah voters would support a ballot initiative to end cannabis prohibition, while 38 percent would oppose it.

The prospects of advancing such reform legislatively in the conservative state legislature are dubious, however.

Asked recently about the prospect of advancing adult-use legalization in Utah, House Speaker Mike Schultz (R) said he has a “huge problem with turning Utah into a recreational state,” and it’s “not going to happen.”

—
Marijuana Moment is tracking hundreds of cannabis, psychedelics and drug policy bills in state legislatures and Congress this year. Patreon supporters pledging at least $25/month get access to our interactive maps, charts and hearing calendar so they don’t miss any developments.

Learn more about our marijuana bill tracker and become a supporter on Patreon to get access.
—

The latest survey signals that support for legalization has increased somewhat among Utahans.

A poll from late last year that was also conducted by Noble Predictive Insights found that 50 percent of respondents favor the reform. An additional 38 percent said they back only medical cannabis recommended by a doctor. Only 9 percent said marijuana should continue to be entirely illegal.

State lawmakers have taken steps to build upon the state’s medical marijuana law in recent years.

Despite being known for its political conservatism, Utah’s legislature separately passed legislation last year authorizing a pilot program for hospitals to administer psilocybin and MDMA as an alternative treatment option. The governor let that law take effect without his signature last year.

Meanwhile, a federal judge in Utah recently ordered county law enforcement return psilocybin mushrooms that police seized from a Provo City-based religious group that uses the psychedelic fungi as sacrament.

Texas Medical Marijuana Expansion Bill Will Be Amended After Passing House, Key Senator Says

Photo courtesy of Mike Latimer.

MIAMI, May 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Goldflower Cannabis, one of Florida’s fastest-growing vertically integrated cannabis companies, proudly announces the grand opening of its seventh retail location, set to open in the vibrant heart of Miami on Saturday, June 14th at 7401 Bird Road, Miami.

Known for setting a new standard in cannabis cultivation, product excellence, and customer experience, Goldflower continues its expansion to meet rising patient demand across the state. Goldflower’s Miami store will offer South Florida medical cannabis patients access to its celebrated line of Comparable to Organic flower, solventless concentrates, and premium edibles—all produced with the company’s signature reverence for the plant and passion for excellence.

Goldflower’s curated brand portfolio includes in-house lines like Ideal Cannabis (the only certified Comparable to Organic grown flower in Florida), Space Coast, and GHOST, best in class national brands such as DH Farms by Doghouse and Turn vapes, as well as exclusive licensed collaborations with cultural icons such as Method Man, Ricky Williams, and Randy Lanier. Goldflower is also licensed to sell Lion Order products, created with superstars such as Ray Lewis of the Ravens, Mike James of the Bucs and Lions, Rohan Marley, and Michael Phelps. In fact, the Miami location will feature the state’s largest selection of Lion Order offerings. Each product embodies Goldflower’s relentless focus on purity, flavor, and innovation.

Founded by leaders behind one of the largest cannabis exits in U.S. history (Cura), Goldflower has rapidly gained a reputation for producing Florida’s best flower, delivering top-tier customer service in their luxury stores to the best customers, and scaling a sustainable and profitable cannabis business.

As for the Miami storefront, located near high-traffic areas and designed with Goldflower’s signature boutique aesthetic, the new Miami location will feature:

• A curated product selection including exclusive strains from Ideal Cannabis and partner brands like DH Farms by Doghouse, Space Coast, and Imperial Farms
• Celebrity-endorsed licensed brands, including Method Man’s T4, Ricky Williams’ 34, and Rohan Marley, Ray Lewis, Michael Phelps, and Mike James’s Lion Order
• White-glove service and a patient-first ethos that defines Goldflower’s customer experience

“Miami is a cultural hub with a thriving medical cannabis community, and we’re excited to bring our unmatched quality, service, and products to this incredible city,” says Angelo Lombardi, President of Goldflower Cannabis. 

The Miami opening follows the recent launch of stores in Bradenton, Largo, St. Petersburg, Ocala, and Sebring, with Orlando, Bonita Springs, Lakeland, The Villages, Cape Coral, Tallahassee, and Jacksonville on the horizon. With vertically integrated operations—including 300,000 square feet of cultivation and manufacturing space and two delivery hubs—Goldflower is positioned to dominate the Florida cannabis market.

For more on Goldflower Cannabis, and to be kept up to date with opening news and brand developments, visit: goldflowerfl.com.

Disclaimers: Goldflower is a licensed medical marijuana treatment center in the State of Florida. All product names, logos, and brands are property of their respective owners and used under license. Products are intended for medical use only and are available exclusively to qualified patients. This release may contain forward-looking statements and is for informational purposes only. Store opening is subject to regulatory approval.

Media Contact: kayla@lmprcommunications.com 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/goldflower-cannabis-to-open-seventh-florida-location-in-miami-continuing-rapid-statewide-expansion-as-the-purveyors-of-premium-cannabis-products-302460389.html

SOURCE Goldflower Cannabis

Politics20 hours ago

Montana Governor Signs Bill Directing Marijuana Tax Revenue Toward Environmental Conservation And Wildlife

“Montana’s growing and changing, and now’s the time to invest in our outdoor way of life.” By Amanda Eggert, Montana…

ST. PAUL, Minn. – A few dozen protesters gathered outside the governor’s office Wednesday to voice their opposition to the proposed tax increase on cannabis products in Minnesota. 

Advocate Leili Fatehi says the tax hike would happen before the adult-use cannabis industry even opens for business. 

“This proposed tax increase is a betrayal of what was promised to this industry,” Fatehi says. 

Fatehi says she hopes that legislative leaders and the governor hear us and find somewhere else to make up their budget shortfall. 

The budget agreement between Governor Tim Walz and legislative leaders would increase the cannabis tax from 10 to 15%.

North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein is pushing for tougher rules around intoxicating cannabis products, aiming to better protect adults and restrict access for minors.

In an interview with WRAL, Stein also voiced support for clearing low-level marijuana convictions, saying they can create barriers to jobs and stability.

“If you are an adult and that’s the choice you want to make, you should be able to make that choice,” Stein said. He later added: “I do not have all of the answers. I have some philosophical views on matters, but there are real, complicated, practical implications of every decision you make.”

To move forward, Stein announced the formation of a new advisory council that will include law enforcement, health professionals, farmers, and bipartisan lawmakers.

The group will help shape the state’s approach to cannabis policy. While Stein said he supports legalizing marijuana, he wants the council to guide the conversation and determine what’s best for North Carolina.

Potency limits, dedicating tax revenue for special education, public health research and advertising restrictions will become part of the conversation Wednesday when the House considers a bill to reorient legal marijuana oversight in Massachusetts.

Representatives filed 45 amendments to a bill that over the last week cleared the House side of the Cannabis Policy Committee and the House Ways and Means Committee. The ideas those riders propose would add to a bill that seeks to restructure the Cannabis Control Commission, regulate and tax hemp-based products, raise a cap on retail license control and make structural changes to the medical marijuana side of the industry.

Addressing the internal turmoil at the CCC and the external complaints about the slow pace of regulatory changes was identified as an early-session priority by House Speaker Ronald Mariano, but leaders in the Senate have not expressed the same interest in tackling the topic. The House is scheduled to gavel in at 11 a.m. Wednesday, but typically begins consideration of the topic du jour after 1 p.m.

With an amendment (#16) that he said is projected to direct more than $57 million annually to help school districts meet rising costs, Rep. Francisco Paulino is looking to dedicate 20% of the state’s cannabis excise tax revenue to special education reimbursements through a new trust fund. It would also specify that funds would supplement, not replace, existing special education reimbursements and cap administrative expenses at 5%, his office said.

“Districts are doing all they can to meet the needs of students with disabilities, but the financial challenges remain significant,” Paulino said. “This amendment is a practical way to ease that burden using revenue the state is already collecting.”

Revenue from the state’s 10.75% marijuana excise tax goes into the Marijuana Regulation Fund, which the Legislature can use to support the CCC and related activities. Cannabis sales are also subject to the state’s 6.25% sales tax and a local tax of up to 3%.

Around hemp-based beverages, potentially intoxicating drinks that have become a common item at convenience stores, Rep. Michael Day of Stoneham proposed (#39) to require that anyone selling hemp beverages at retail also hold a license to sell all alcoholic beverages not to be drunk on premises. The underlying bill itself would restrict the sale of hemp drinks to people 21 or older.

Rep. Marcus Vaughn of Wrentham proposed an amendment (#6) to put limits on the potency of legal marijuana products. It seeks “requirements for reasonable THC potency limits for each type of recreational marijuana product … and reasonable potency or dosing limits for marijuana concentrates and edible products.”

Vaughn’s amendment would cap potency of cannabis flower at 30% THC, the psychoactive compound of marijuana. Vaporizers and concentrates could not exceed 5mg THC per metered serving or 30% potency, and the amendment also looks to ban any added sweeteners, non-cannabis terpenes, and almost anything meant to be inhaled that has a “characterizing flavor.”

Nodding to the rise of high-potency THC products and connections to mental health, Rep. Patrick Kearney of Scituate filed an amendment (#23) to create a special commission to make recommendations related to the mental health impacts of THC consumption and “the development of public health warning requirements and educational campaigns related to such impacts.”

The group would be tasked with looking into the association between THC use and “increased risk of mental health disorders, including anxiety, depression, psychosis, and suicidal ideation,” as well as the effects of high-potency THC on adolescent and young adult brain development. 

The commission would be specifically charged with considering whether “a targeted excise tax or fee on THC-containing products” could work to fund a public health awareness campaign about THC and mental health.

Representatives have the option of trying to force public debate and votes on their amendments but the House under Speaker Mariano has often opted to dispense with most amendments following off-floor private debates that culminate with the presentation to the House of a single consolidated amendment.

(ABC 6 News) — After many delays, the Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management will start handing out the first licenses for Minnesota’s recreational cannabis market this week.

The OCM will hold a pair of lotteries on Thursday. Social equity applicants will be chosen for retail sales first.

After that, a separate general applicant lottery will be held for licenses to grow, transport, manufacture, and sell.

License numbers will be drawn, but names and addresses of applicants won’t be posted publicly the same day.

The lotteries will be livestreamed for applicants, media, and members of the public via the OCM’s YouTube channel, which can be found here.

Dr. Patrise Holden

As opioid restrictions tighten and the need for chronic pain treatment increases, a new wave of research is turning to a centuries-old plant for solutions.

At Howard University’s Department of Pediatrics and Child Health in Washington, D.C., researchers, working in collaboration with the Rana Pediatric Fund, are investigating the role of medical marijuana in the lives of young people living with sickle cell disease (SCD).

The study, “Perceived Effects of Cannabis Use Amongst Adolescents and Young Adults with Sickle Cell Disease,” seeks to uncover why many young patients are turning to cannabis and how it’s affecting their pain, sleep quality, and emotional well-being.

“We started seeing more teens with sickle cell disease using cannabis,” said Patricia Houston, MS, one of the study’s coordinators. “We started questioning why? Were they finding that it brought relief for pain, sleep, or mood?”

While marijuana’s medical use remains controversial, the Howard study reflects a growing openness among clinicians and patients alike to explore its therapeutic potential, especially for underserved populations.

For patients with chronic illnesses, like those with sickle cell disease, the need for therapeutic alternatives for pain management is especially important.

“Opioids have been the standard of care for decades for pain management.   The goal is to find something that addresses the underlying condition,” Houston continued.

New Pathways to Treatment of Chronic Pain

Sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disorder that transforms red blood cells into a sickle shape, obstructing blood flow and oxygen transport. 

This condition can lead to intense pain episodes, referred to as vaso-occlusive crises, as well as fatigue, mobility issues, and organ damage. 

The disease is chronic, lifelong, and for some, can lead to early death.

The Howard study surveyed young people ages 14 to 30 over a five-year period, first in person and then online to preserve anonymity. Participants shared whether they used cannabis, how often, and for what purposes—pain management, improved sleep, mood regulation, or other symptoms.

For patients living with SCD, it’s not just about symptom relief, it’s about dignity and autonomy. With larger patient populations seeking holistic treatment alternatives, natural remedies, such as cannabis, have gained interest and appeal.

“We see patients from childhood through age 25,” said Joanne Adelberg, a genetic counselor on the study. “Part of our job is helping families create a roadmap—school support plans, specialist referrals, and conversations about what’s working for them day-to-day. More and more, that conversation has included cannabis.”

Howard researchers noted the unique nature of the sickle cell cannabis study as one of the few research studies created for and conducted among pediatric patients.

Although hopeful about future treatment possibilities, researchers emphasized that their study is in its early stages and additional examination is needed regarding the long-term effects of cannabis use amongst SCD patients.

“We have yet to investigate methods of use, smoking, edibles, teas, and concerns, like impact during pregnancy, possible increased fatigue, and regulation of emotions,” said Adelberg. “But we can’t ignore that many young people already use it to cope.”

Medical Marijuana Treatment, Praised and Stigmatized

National conversations surrounding both the medicinal and financial benefits of medical marijuana are igniting conversations that may redefine patient care for those with chronic illnesses such as sickle cell disease.

Visionary behind the study, Dr. Sohail Rana, pediatric hematologist at Howard University Hospital, stated, “Most individuals with sickle cell disease are desperate for relief of their pain. They frequently turn to marijuana.”

Simona Wright-James, noted cannabis advocate, views studies like those spearheaded by Dr. Rana as a tool of empowerment for those who, too, are desperate to find relief from chronic ailments.

“In my personal life, marijuana gave me relief from chronic PMS symptoms that prescription pain medications couldn’t alleviate,” she said. “It allowed me to feel like myself again. With cannabis, I didn’t feel dulled, underwater, or without my Simona identity.  My symptoms also dramatically improved.”

As open as the conversation around cannabis has become in recent years, lingering cultural stigmas remain a significant barrier to greater use of its treatment in chronic illnesses.

“The War on Drugs left a bloody stain in the minds and hearts of many people surrounding marijuana. We are still dealing with that residue,” Wright-James stated. “For generations, marijuana was synonymous with criminality. You take my son away for 20-30 years for selling this plant on the street?  You have just colored my viewpoint of the plant, possibly for life.”

Wright-James said education and research have ushered in “a new era of cannabis,” one that seeks to repair the damage and dispel misconceptions left by the War on Drugs.

“We have Black and Brown people still currently incarcerated for selling a plant that now the government even recognizes has tremendous medical and financial benefits,” she declared.

Researchers and advocates like Wright-James agree that educational outreach remains critical to understanding the long-term benefits of marijuana use as treatment for chronic illness.

“There’s work to do—not just policy, but mindset,” said Wright-James. “For our elders, for skeptical healthcare workers. We have to reframe cannabis not as a street drug but as a legitimate, sometimes essential, medicine.”

Reimagining Treatment: The Future of Marijuana and Sickle Cell Disease Care

While the Howard University research team is still analyzing data and preparing to publish an abstract on initial survey results, one thing is clear: more research is urgently needed.

“Unfortunately, not enough is known about the risks and benefits of marijuana in sickle cell disease,” advised Dr. Rana.

Howard University researchers envision future surveys comparing modes of cannabis use, edibles vs. smoking, teas vs. topicals, and integrating broader demographic data to better reflect community needs and attitudes regarding medicinal marijuana.

“Our families have been managing this pain for far too long; they deserve alternative treatment modalities that, even if only temporarily, assist with pain and anxiety,” said Adelberg. “With this survey, we are now starting to ask the right questions.”

For Wright-James, those questions are part of a larger reckoning.

“If the government now sees the value of this plant,” she said, “then the communities who suffered most from its criminalization should share in both its healing and its economic benefits.”

She emphasized the power of cannabis use for healing.

“Medical marijuana empowers people with chronic illnesses to reclaim their bodies while remaining in a clear mindset that reflects their true identity during treatment,” Wright-James emphasized. “That’s a radical kind of healing. That’s liberation.”

The author of this article has genotype SS, the most aggressive form of sickle cell disease. She lectures and advocates nationally for inclusion of mental health support and holistic and alternative medicine as treatment for those with chronic illnesses.

This post appeared first on The Washington Informer.