Latest news with #HollandseHoogtes
Newsweek
28-05-2025
- Health
- Newsweek
Marijuana Users Issued Warning by New Study
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. New research finds that regular marijuana use, including both smoking and THC-laced edibles, is linked to early warning signs of cardiovascular disease. Why It Matters The growing legalization and widespread use of marijuana in the United States has sparked concerns about short- and long-term potential health impacts. New studies such as this indicate a measurable risk of cardiovascular problems for young and otherwise healthy marijuana users, suggesting that marijuana use could have dubious health outcomes. What To Know The study, led by Leila Mohammadi at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) and published in the peer-reviewed medical journal JAMA, examined the potential connection between THC smoking and ingestion, and endothelial dysfunction—where the inner lining of blood vessels, the endothelium, is unable to function properly and could lead to an array of cardiovascular problems, per The Cleveland Clinic. This cross-sectional study of 55 participants discovered that vascular endothelial function was impaired in both chronic marijuana smokers and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) edible users, whereas serum from marijuana smokers but not THC-edible users blunted nitric oxide production in cultured endothelial cells. Employees inspect cannabis plants at cannabis grower Hollandse Hoogtes, where regulated cannabis cultivation takes place in a grow center, in Bemmel, Netherlands, on April 1, 2025. Employees inspect cannabis plants at cannabis grower Hollandse Hoogtes, where regulated cannabis cultivation takes place in a grow center, in Bemmel, Netherlands, on April 1, 2025. SEM VAN DER WAL/ANP/AFP via Getty Images These studies highlighted impaired blood vessel function and a higher likelihood of heart attacks among marijuana users, echoing risks previously associated with tobacco smoking but "via different mechanisms." Such findings could challenge previous assumptions that marijuana is a benign alternative to tobacco. Early Cardiovascular Signs Detected The study divided the participants into three groups: marijuana smokers, THC-edible users, and nonusers. Researchers observed that marijuana smokers showed a 42 percent reduction in vascular function, while THC-edible users experienced a 56 percent reduction compared to those who did not use marijuana. Comparable to Tobacco in Vascular Impact Endothelial cells, which line blood vessels and regulate blood flow, were found to release significantly less nitric oxide—a chemical vital for dilation—in marijuana and THC-edible users. Heart Attack, Stroke and Death Risks A retrospective analysis of over 4.6 million people under age 50, published in March in JACC Advances, revealed that marijuana users faced a more than sixfold increased risk of heart attack, a fourfold risk of ischemic stroke, and a threefold risk of cardiovascular death, heart attack, or stroke, compared to non-users. Meta-Analysis Confirms Higher Heart Attack Risk A meta-analysis presented to the American College of Cardiology pooled data from 12 studies involving 75 million people. The association between marijuana use and heart attack was positive, with current users being 1.5 times more likely to suffer a heart attack than nonusers, according to SciTechDaily. Associations, Not Direct Causes Scientists cautioned that these findings show strong associations but do not definitively prove marijuana or THC causes vascular damage or heart attacks. Dr. Springer said, "We can only state that the cannabis users have poor vascular function, not that cannabis use causes poor vascular function." Confounding factors like concurrent use of other drugs were not ruled out in these studies. Based on these results, researchers urged clinicians to ask patients about marijuana use during cardiovascular risk assessments. Dr. Ibrahim Kamel, lead author of the retrospective study, said, "At a policy level, a fair warning should be made so that the people who are consuming cannabis know that there are risks," according to SciTechDaily on March 18. What People Are Saying Matthew Springer, professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, and one of the co-authors, told CNN: "We're looking at a window in the future, showing the early changes that may explain why smoking marijuana has been linked to later heart disease." Dr. Ibrahim Kamel, clinical instructor at Boston University and internal medicine resident at St. Elizabeth Medical Center, told SciTechDaily in March: "Asking about cannabis use should be part of clinicians' workup to understand patients' overall cardiovascular risk, similar to asking about smoking cigarettes...a fair warning should be made so that the people who are consuming cannabis know that there are risks." Dr. Andrew Freeman, director of cardiovascular prevention and wellness at National Jewish Health in Denver, told CNN: "Could it be that other forms of marijuana — teas, tinctures, edibles — are perhaps not as benign as we once thought?" What Happens Next Researchers have called for larger, long-term studies to more conclusively determine the direct effects of marijuana and THC products on cardiovascular health and to identify safe usage levels, if any. Future policy guidance and clinical recommendations may be updated in light of further research outcomes.
The Hill
08-04-2025
- Business
- The Hill
Dutch cannabis growers welcome expansion of state-run experiment to make sales legal
BEMMEL, Netherlands (AP) — The Netherlands expanded a government-run initiative on Monday allowing legal cannabis sales. While growing cannabis is still illegal, cannabis shops — known as coffeeshops — in 10 municipalities will be allowed to sell marijuana from 10 licensed producers. 'Weed was sold here legally for 50 years, but the production was never legal. So it's finally time to end that crazy, unexplainable situation and make it a legal professional sector,' Rick Bakker, commercial director at Hollandse Hoogtes, one of the regulated producers, told The Associated Press. Some 80 coffeeshops are taking part in the experiment which advocates hope this will ultimately end a long-standing legal anomaly — you can buy and sell small amounts of weed without fear of prosecution in the Netherlands, but growing it commercially remains illegal. Bakker's company in Bemmel, near the German border, is indistinguishable from the surrounding greenhouses producing tomatoes and peppers. But it makes 200 kilograms (440 pounds) of weed per week and is one of the largest producers in the experiment. A trailblazer in decriminalizing pot since the 1970s, the Netherlands has grown more conservative. Amsterdam, long a magnet for marijuana smokers, has been closing coffeeshops in recent years and has banned smoking weed on some of the cobbled streets that make up its historic center. Advocates have been pushing for a legal growing for years, citing the safety of the product as well as concerns about crime. Benjamin Selma, the head grower at Hollandse Hoogtes who worked in cannabis production in California for more than a decade, said the quality control for the cannabis is extremely high. 'We do a full test, microbial, cannabinoid, terpene, as well as yeast and anaerobic bacteria, heavy metals as well. So it's very, very controlled,' he told the AP. The company, which does not use pesticides and tightly regulates growing conditions, has an eye to the environment. The production facility gets its energy from solar panels and uses biodegradable packaging. 'It is also a great opportunity to see how cooperation within the closed chain between legal growers, coffeeshop owners and all other authorities involved works,' Breda Mayor Paul Depla told the AP when the first phase was launched in 2023. The experiment 'is really a political compromise,' according to Derrick Bergman, chairman of the Union for the Abolition of Cannabis Prohibition. The plan dates to 2017, when Christian political parties and pro-legalization parties agreed to a test run after a bill to decriminalize production failed. The government will evaluate the experiment after four years. 'A research team, advised by an independent guidance and evaluation committee, is examining the effects of a controlled cannabis supply chain on crime, safety and public health,' the government said in a statement. Selma said he is happy to be working without concerns about prosecution. 'I've seen some bad moments,' he said, 'and I don't know if I ever believed I would be so free.' The coffeeshops taking part in the initiative are located in Almere, Arnhem, Breda, Groningen, Heerlen, Hellevoetsluis, Maastricht, Nijmegen, Tilburg, and Zaanstad.
Euronews
07-04-2025
- Business
- Euronews
Dutch cannabis growers welcome expansion of scheme to legalise sales
ADVERTISEMENT The Netherlands has expanded a government-run initiative allowing legal cannabis sales. While growing cannabis is still illegal, cannabis shops — known as coffeeshops — in 10 municipalities will be allowed to sell marijuana from 10 licensed producers. "Weed was sold here legally for 50 years but the production was never legal. So it's finally time to end that crazy, unexplainable situation and make it a legal professional sector," Rick Bakker, commercial director at Hollandse Hoogtes, one of the regulated producers, said. Around 80 coffeeshops are taking part in the experiment which advocates hope will ultimately end a long-standing legal anomaly; you can buy and sell small amounts of weed without fear of prosecution in the Netherlands but growing it commercially remains illegal. Bakker's company in Bemmel, near the German border, is indistinguishable from the surrounding greenhouses producing tomatoes and peppers. Cannabis plants in the Hollandse Hoogtes growing facility in Bemmel, 7 April, 2025 AP Photo But it makes 200 kilograms of weed per week and is one of the largest producers in the experiment. A trailblazer in decriminalizing pot since the 1970s, the Netherlands has grown more conservative. Amsterdam, long a magnet for marijuana smokers, has been closing coffeeshops in recent years and has banned smoking weed on some of the cobbled streets that make up its historic centre. Advocates have been pushing for a legal growing for years, citing the safety of the product as well as concerns about crime. Benjamin Selma, the head grower at Hollandse Hoogtes who worked in cannabis production in California for more than a decade, said the quality control for the cannabis is extremely high. Cannabis plants in the Hollandse Hoogtes growing facility in Bemmel, 7 April, 2025 AP Photo "We do a full test, microbial, cannabinoid, terpene, as well as yeast and anaerobic bacteria, heavy metals as well. So it's very, very controlled," he said. The company, which does not use pesticides and tightly regulates growing conditions, also has an eye on the environment. The production facility gets its energy from solar panels and uses biodegradable packaging. "It is also a great opportunity to see how cooperation within the closed chain between legal growers, coffeeshop owners and all other authorities involved works," Breda Mayor Paul Depla said when the first phase was launched in 2023. The experiment "is really a political compromise," according to Derrick Bergman, chairman of the Union for the Abolition of Cannabis Prohibition. ADVERTISEMENT The plan dates back to 2017, when Christian political parties and pro-legalisation parties agreed to a test run after a bill to decriminalise production failed. The government will evaluate the experiment after four years. Cannabis plants in the Hollandse Hoogtes growing facility in Bemmel, 7 April, 2025 AP Photo "A research team, advised by an independent guidance and evaluation committee, is examining the effects of a controlled cannabis supply chain on crime, safety and public health," the government said in a statement. Selma said he is happy to be working without concerns about prosecution. ADVERTISEMENT "I've seen some bad moments," he said, "and I don't know if I ever believed I would be so free." The coffeeshops taking part in the initiative are located in Almere, Arnhem, Breda, Groningen, Heerlen, Hellevoetsluis, Maastricht, Nijmegen, Tilburg and Zaanstad.
The Independent
07-04-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Dutch cannabis growers welcome expansion of state-run experiment to make sales legal
The Netherlands expanded a government-run initiative on Monday allowing legal cannabis sales. While growing cannabis is still illegal, cannabis shops — known as coffeeshops — in 10 municipalities will be allowed to sell marijuana from 10 licensed producers. 'Weed was sold here legally for 50 years, but the production was never legal. So it's finally time to end that crazy, unexplainable situation and make it a legal professional sector,' Rick Bakker, commercial director at Hollandse Hoogtes, one of the regulated producers, told The Associated Press. Some 80 coffeeshops are taking part in the experiment which advocates hope this will ultimately end a long-standing legal anomaly — you can buy and sell small amounts of weed without fear of prosecution in the Netherlands, but growing it commercially remains illegal. Bakker's company in Bemmel, near the German border, is indistinguishable from the surrounding greenhouses producing tomatoes and peppers. But it makes 200 kilograms (440 pounds) of weed per week and is one of the largest producers in the experiment. A trailblazer in decriminalizing pot since the 1970s, the Netherlands has grown more conservative. Amsterdam, long a magnet for marijuana smokers, has been closing coffeeshops in recent years and has banned smoking weed on some of the cobbled streets that make up its historic center. Advocates have been pushing for a legal growing for years, citing the safety of the product as well as concerns about crime. Benjamin Selma, the head grower at Hollandse Hoogtes who worked in cannabis production in California for more than a decade, said the quality control for the cannabis is extremely high. 'We do a full test, microbial, cannabinoid, terpene, as well as yeast and anaerobic bacteria, heavy metals as well. So it's very, very controlled,' he told the AP. The company, which does not use pesticides and tightly regulates growing conditions, has an eye to the environment. The production facility gets its energy from solar panels and uses biodegradable packaging. 'It is also a great opportunity to see how cooperation within the closed chain between legal growers, coffeeshop owners and all other authorities involved works,' Breda Mayor Paul Depla told the AP when the first phase was launched in 2023. The experiment "is really a political compromise,' according to Derrick Bergman, chairman of the Union for the Abolition of Cannabis Prohibition. The plan dates to 2017, when Christian political parties and pro-legalization parties agreed to a test run after a bill to decriminalize production failed. The government will evaluate the experiment after four years. 'A research team, advised by an independent guidance and evaluation committee, is examining the effects of a controlled cannabis supply chain on crime, safety and public health,' the government said in a statement. Selma said he is happy to be working without concerns about prosecution. 'I've seen some bad moments,' he said, 'and I don't know if I ever believed I would be so free.' The coffeeshops taking part in the initiative are located in Almere, Arnhem, Breda, Groningen, Heerlen, Hellevoetsluis, Maastricht, Nijmegen, Tilburg, and Zaanstad.
Associated Press
07-04-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Dutch cannabis growers welcome expansion of state-run experiment to make sales legal
BEMMEL, Netherlands (AP) — The Netherlands expanded a government-run initiative on Monday allowing legal cannabis sales. While growing cannabis is still illegal, cannabis shops — known as coffeeshops — in 10 municipalities will be allowed to sell marijuana from 10 licensed producers. 'Weed was sold here legally for 50 years, but the production was never legal. So it's finally time to end that crazy, unexplainable situation and make it a legal professional sector,' Rick Bakker, commercial director at Hollandse Hoogtes, one of the regulated producers, told The Associated Press. Some 80 coffeeshops are taking part in the experiment which advocates hope this will ultimately end a long-standing legal anomaly — you can buy and sell small amounts of weed without fear of prosecution in the Netherlands, but growing it commercially remains illegal. Bakker's company in Bemmel, near the German border, is indistinguishable from the surrounding greenhouses producing tomatoes and peppers. But it makes 200 kilograms (440 pounds) of weed per week and is one of the largest producers in the experiment. A trailblazer in decriminalizing pot since the 1970s, the Netherlands has grown more conservative. Amsterdam, long a magnet for marijuana smokers, has been closing coffeeshops in recent years and has banned smoking weed on some of the cobbled streets that make up its historic center. Advocates have been pushing for a legal growing for years, citing the safety of the product as well as concerns about crime. Benjamin Selma, the head grower at Hollandse Hoogtes who worked in cannabis production in California for more than a decade, said the quality control for the cannabis is extremely high. 'We do a full test, microbial, cannabinoid, terpene, as well as yeast and anaerobic bacteria, heavy metals as well. So it's very, very controlled,' he told the AP. The company, which does not use pesticides and tightly regulates growing conditions, has an eye to the environment. The production facility gets its energy from solar panels and uses biodegradable packaging. 'It is also a great opportunity to see how cooperation within the closed chain between legal growers, coffeeshop owners and all other authorities involved works,' Breda Mayor Paul Depla told the AP when the first phase was launched in 2023. The experiment 'is really a political compromise,' according to Derrick Bergman, chairman of the Union for the Abolition of Cannabis Prohibition. The plan dates to 2017, when Christian political parties and pro-legalization parties agreed to a test run after a bill to decriminalize production failed. The government will evaluate the experiment after four years. 'A research team, advised by an independent guidance and evaluation committee, is examining the effects of a controlled cannabis supply chain on crime, safety and public health,' the government said in a statement. Selma said he is happy to be working without concerns about prosecution. 'I've seen some bad moments,' he said, 'and I don't know if I ever believed I would be so free.'
