Latest news with #hemp
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
THC regulation, protecting victims of human trafficking up for consideration in upcoming special legislative session
AUSTIN (Nexstar) — Governor Greg Abbott is calling Texas lawmakers back to Austin for a special legislative session to begin on July 21. Currently, the governor has identified six vetoed bills that are up for further consideration. Chief among the list is the highly scrutinized Senate Bill 3, which would have outlawed all consumable hemp products containing THC, the intoxicating chemical found in cannabis. In his veto proclamation, the governor made it clear he wants the legislature to look at regulating the hemp industry over a complete ban. He argues the way SB 3 is currently written would be legally fought for years to come. 'If I were to allow Senate Bill 3 to become law, its enforcement would be enjoined for years, leavingexisting abuses unaddressed. Texas cannot afford to wait,' Abbott wrote. At one point in its legislative lifespan, SB 3 was not structured as a complete ban on THC products. State Rep. Ken King, R- Canadian, substantially changed the bill in the House Committee on State Affairs. It allowed the hemp industry to continue manufacturing hemp drinks and tinctures, and 'other consumable forms as long as they do not resemble a common snack marketed to children,' according to a summary of the bill changes. The King version of the bill also created a regulatory framework for those products that would have been carried about by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission and the Department of State Health Services. 'It allows for some hemp sales to be continued. It bans vapes. It bans vape shops. It bans all synthetics. Delta-9, the natural flower that's grown and sold in Texas, would remain,' King said. The bill was ultimately changed back to its original state after an amendment by State Rep. Tom Oliverson, R-Cypress, on the House floor. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick had been a champion of the bill the entire session, making it one of his top priorities before the session started. He had called these products 'poison' to the community and would not settle for anything less than an outright ban. He took to social media late Sunday night to express his frustration with the governor's decision. 'His late-night veto, on an issue supported by 105 of 108 Republicans in the legislature, strongly backed by law enforcement, many in the medical and education communities, and the families who have seen their loved ones' lives destroyed by these very dangerous drugs, leaves them feeling abandoned. I feel especially bad for those who testified and poured their hearts out on their tragic losses,' Patrick wrote on his official X account. Senate Bill 1278: Protecting victims of human trafficking Texas lawmakers overwhelmingly passed a piece of legislation this session that would provide a defense for the victims of human trafficking who were convicted of a crime they committed while being trafficked. State Sen. Tan Parker, R-Flower Mound, authored SB 1278 to address this issue. The bill would establish an affirmative defense, 'if the survivor can demonstrate that their conduct was coerced or committed under duress or that they, or a member of their family or household, were threatened with imminent death or serious bodily injury as a victim of trafficking of persons and compelling prostitution,' according to a bill analysis. Gov. Abbott vetoed the bill because he felt it went too far. The governor argues the bill separates the link between culpability and conduct. He writes in his veto proclamation, 'That means a person could be immune not only for acts of prostitution that are linked to their own prior victimization, but also for raping a child, murdering a law enforcement officer, or engaging in acts of terrorism. We can and should recognize that victimization begets more victimization. But legal responsibility cannot always be passed off to someone else. Some who started off as victims later make a choice to perpetrate similar crimes against others.' Senate Bill 648: Addressing deed fraud SB 648 looks to create protections against a form of identity theft that targets property ownership. It would require more steps when filing an instrument conveying real property, like the deed to a home. The bill was authored by State Sen. Royce West, D-Dallas, who told the the Senate Business and Commerce Committee that this type of theft allows someone to successfully forge your property deed and transfer the ownership of your property to their name without your consent. Gov. Abbott vetoed the bill because he said it imposes barriers that will burden low-income Texans. 'The bill would require property owners-but only those who have not retained an attorney or title agent-to jump through additional hoops, like producing every named heir to execute an affidavit of heirship,' Abbott wrote in his veto proclamation. Senate Bill 1253: Encouraging water conservation from developers Developers are charged impact fees by local governments for new developments and the costs associated with adding new wastewater and water infrastructure. SB 1253 would incentivize developers to install efficient water and wastewater infrastructure and appliances in their buildings in return for credits on the impact fees. Gov. Abbott took issue with an amendment added to the bill in the House on the third reading. Abbott said the bill 'dramatically' changed the bill because it singled out property owners in 'one groundwater conservation district and subjects them to new burdens for exercising private property rights,' according to the governor's veto proclamation. Senate Bill 1758: Studying the relationship between a cement kiln and semiconductor manufacturing In Grayson county there is a unique situation. A private company is trying to establish a cement kiln to ramp up cement production. However, the proposed cement kiln facility is located near already established semiconductor manufacturing facilities. The concern is the cement plant would create vibrational disturbances that would impact the work of the semiconductor plants. SB 1758 mandates an environmental study on the seismic impact the cement plant would have. The governor did not sign this bill and let it become law, but it is still being placed on the special session agenda. Abbott appears to take issue with the five-year moratorium placed on the cement plant after the study is completed, no matter the results. The governor believes this bill could be unconstitutional. 'Governments may not use regulatory power to upset 'distinct investment-backed expectations' in property based on surmise-at least not without furnishing adequate compensation,' Abbott wrote in his veto proclamation. Senate Bill 2878: Judicial omnibus bill SB 2878 is a 139-page omnibus bill that deals with new courts, changes to judicial administration, and changes to jurisdiction. But the governor said the bill contains 'significant, standalone policy proposals that failed to receive adequate consideration during the legislative session.' The governor pointed out a provision in the bill that would allow unlimited automatic expunctions for completing any pretrial intervention program. The governor did say most of the bill should become law but that parts of it needed to be taken out. Other items being looked at These are the current bills under up for consideration in the special session, but more could be added later on. Patrick said he would like to see bail reform placed on the special session during a news conference discussing the THC-ban bill veto. Reporters also asked Patrick about a report that the White House wants Texas to redraw its congressional districts for the U.S. House of Representatives. 'I'll just say that if we can pick up Republican seats in Texas to make Congress stronger, after what the Democrats did to our country in the last four years, and what they're still going criticizing the President of the United States,' Patrick responded. 'Want to impeach him for protecting American lives by taking out an Iranian nuclear threat to the world. I want more Republican Congressmen.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
National Post
6 days ago
- Business
- National Post
Cabbacis Granted U.S. Patent for Vaporizer Pods
Article content NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. — Cabbacis (OTCQB: CABI), a U.S. federally-licensed tobacco-product manufacturer focused on harm-reduction products being developed under the iBlend™ brand name, today announced that the United States Patent and Trademark Office has issued a patent to Cabbacis for vaporizer pods for oral electronic vaporizers. Article content Article content U.S. Patent No. 12,349,724, which expires on July 27, 2038, includes ten claims on pods for electronic vaporizers. The claims cover vaporizer pods comprising blends of at least 5 mg of conventional-nicotine reconstituted tobacco and at least 5 mg of hemp, and separately, at least 5 mg of reduced-nicotine reconstituted tobacco and at least 5 mg of hemp. Reconstituted tobacco is typically used in closed-end electronic vaporizer pods. Commercial examples of popular, closed-end electronic vaporizers – also known as heat-not-burn products – include IQOS®, Ploom® and glo®. Article content Vaporizer pods covered under the 724 patent that contain conventional-nicotine tobacco and hemp will provide consumers with pleasant and differentiated taste and sensory characteristics, as compared to the above vaporizer brands that contain conventional-nicotine tobacco without any hemp. Article content Cabbacis owns two other previously-issued U.S. patents on vaporizer pods containing tobacco and hemp: 10,777,091 and 10,973,255 along with various international vaporizer pod patents. Article content The Company's patented, reduced-nicotine, iBlend™ vaporizer pods and patented, reduced-nicotine, iBlend™ cigarettes in development are to assist vapers or smokers of conventional tobacco products to vape or smoke less or transition to less harmful tobacco or nicotine products. iBlend™ reduced-nicotine cigarettes contain approximately 95 percent less nicotine than conventional cigarette brands. The Company's products in development are patented in many of the largest tobacco markets across the globe including the United States, China, Europe, Brazil and Japan. Article content Joseph Pandolfino, Chief Executive Officer of Cabbacis, commented, 'We are thrilled to announce this new patent for vaporizer pods, further fortifying our already robust intellectual property position. This patent, when taken in tandem with our existing patents, comprehensively cover, across more than 30 countries, any ratio of reduced-nicotine tobacco and hemp blended together in cigarettes and/or any ratio of conventional-nicotine tobacco and hemp or reduced-nicotine tobacco and hemp blended together in vaporizer products.' Article content About Cabbacis Article content Cabbacis (OTCQB: CABI) is committed to commercializing groundbreaking tobacco harm-reduction products in the global tobacco market for the world's one billion smokers with its flagship iBlend™ reduced-nicotine cigarettes and vaporizer pods in development. These patent protected products combine reduced-nicotine tobacco with non-intoxicating hemp to assist in vaping or smoking less, transitioning to less harmful tobacco products, and/or increasing quit attempts. Both types of products in development are predominately tobacco and include hemp. In a recent clinical trial, the Company's patented, reduced-nicotine iBlend™ cigarettes were highly rated for satisfaction on the standardized mCEQ questionnaire and significantly reduced cravings for usual brand cigarettes. The Company also plans to commercialize reduced-nicotine tobacco cigarettes and little cigars without hemp and vaporizer pods with conventional-nicotine tobacco and hemp. Article content The worldwide patent portfolio of Cabbacis LLC includes 35 issued patents and various pending patent applications across the United States, Europe, China, India, Japan, Indonesia, Russia, South Korea, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, Brazil and other countries – where approximately two-thirds of the world's smokers reside. Cabbacis holds 7 U.S. patents. Cabbacis LLC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cabbacis Inc. Article content Reduced-nicotine cigarettes without hemp that contain about 95 percent less nicotine than conventional cigarettes have been evaluated in dozens of independent studies. Results demonstrate, as reviewed in Donny and White 2022 (Int J Drug Policy 99:103436), that subjects smoked fewer cigarettes per day, reduced their nicotine dependence and exposure, doubled their quit attempts, and/or increased their number of smoke-free days. Article content Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Article content This press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities law. All statements other than statements of historical or current facts made in this document are forward-looking. We identify forward-looking statements in this document by using words or phrases such as 'anticipate,' 'believe,' 'consider,' 'continue,' 'could,' 'estimate,' 'expect,' 'foresee,' 'intend,' 'likely,' 'may,' 'objective,' 'potential,' 'plan,' 'predict,' 'project,' 'seek,' 'should,' 'will' and similar words or phrases and their negatives. Forward-looking statements reflect our current expectations and are inherently uncertain. Actual outcomes or results could differ materially for a variety of reasons. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially are described in 'Risk Factors' in our Regulation A Offering Circular filed with the SEC and in our Annual Report on Form 1-K for the period ended December 31, 2024 filed with the SEC. We undertake no responsibility to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement except as required by applicable law. Article content This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the Company's securities, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to qualification or registration under the securities laws of that state or jurisdiction. Article content Article content Article content Article content Article content Contacts Article content Investor Relations Contact: Article content Article content Lucas A. Zimmerman Article content Article content Managing Director Article content Article content Article content
The Guardian
15-07-2025
- Health
- The Guardian
I traded booze for THC drinks. But are there hidden risks?
Mark Zuckerberg, a billionaire, has said he avoids substances like caffeine because he likes 'rawdogging' reality. I, on the other hand, do not. I mean, have you seen reality lately? For most of my adult life, alcohol has been my preferred way to take the edge off. But, like a lot of other people, I got older and realized regular drinking was not doing me any favours. Last year, I experimented with 'intermittent sobriety', taking months off here and there. It helped, but it was also easy to slip back into bad habits. This year, I've jumped on the California-sober bandwagon, trading booze for the hemp-derived THC drinks that are rapidly growing in popularity. (THC stands for tetrahydrocannabinol, which is the psychoactive component of cannabis.) I've never had any interest in smokable or edible THC in the past – as a green card holder, I reckon I should make that very clear to any immigration officers reading. But these new drinks have been a game-changer. The dosage is clearly marked and the effects are felt almost as quickly as alcohol thanks to a technology called nanoemulsification, which turns the THC into tiny water-soluble droplets that are more rapidly absorbed by the body than traditional edibles. Having a 5mg THC seltzer or infused cocktail in the evening scratches the 'I need to unwind' itch for me with seemingly no short-term negative effects, like a hangover. While I find THC doesn't deliver quite the dopamine rush alcohol does, low doses give me a relaxing warm fuzz, and have been great for my anxiety. Most importantly, it's helped me kick the alcohol habit; I've never felt healthier. Apart from the hefty price tag (one can costs $5-$7), these drinks feel a little too good to be true. So are they? The short answer is: sort of. First, their legality is a little … hazy. Marijuana is still a controlled substance under federal law in the US, although some states have legalized it for recreational and/or medicinal purposes. But under the 2018 Farm Bill, any cannabis plant with less than 0.3% delta-9 THC by dry weight is considered hemp and is no longer a controlled substance. This loophole has birthed a booming market: THC beverages are expected to be a $4bn industry by 2028, according to Euromonitor International. (Even comedian Seth Rogen has jumped in with his own line of drinks, called Houseplant.) Depending on the state, you might find these drinks in grocery or liquor stores. Some brands sell online, but while hemp-derived THC is federally legal, this is a grey area, and some states have imposed restrictions on products containing it. Whether birthing a THC product industry was an intention of the Farm Bill is unclear. 'Some independent attorneys argue it was,' says Hilary Bricken, a lawyer who specializes in cannabis. 'Others say absolutely not: the bill was meant to promote things like textiles, not consumer-facing drugs. But ultimately, it's enforcement, or the lack of it, that's allowed this market to develop the way it has.' 'There's no federal regulation unless a particular state steps in,' says Bricken. 'Some states, like Minnesota, regulate these products. Others, like California, have banned them entirely.' (In California, these unregulated hemp-derived THC products are banned, but THC products that comply with the state's cannabis regulations can legally be sold at cannabis dispensaries.) But there are other risks to be aware of. 'Practices vary wildly between operators,' says Bricken. 'For the consumer, it's hard to tell what's actually in the drink. There's no federal standard, so it's essentially dealer's choice on the operator side. While the original hemp might have tested under the 0.3% THC threshold, post-harvest it can be transformed in ways that technically still comply with federal law. But many believe that most of what's being sold is synthetically derived, and potentially contains toxic compounds.' Even in a best-case scenario where you're buying from a responsible operator, THC isn't as harmless as many believe. A recent study led by researchers at the University of California at San Francisco found people who regularly used marijuana in either smokable or edible form had reduced blood vessel function comparable to tobacco smokers. This is associated with a greater risk of heart attack and other cardiovascular issues. 'We saw a 42% reduction in vascular function in marijuana smokers and 56% in THC edible users,' said lead study author Leila Mohammadi. 'The effect was dose-dependent: the more someone used per week, the worse their vascular function.' Worryingly, even relatively small doses of 2.5mg multiple times a week seemed to have a harmful effect. The study didn't look at drinkable THC; a single can typically contains 2.5-10mg, though some products have considerably more. But Mohammadi notes there's no reason to think drinkable products would be significantly different. THC can also affect cognitive function, especially in adolescents, whose endocannabinoid systems – which interact with cannabinoids like THC and regulate critical bodily functions – are still developing. The long-term effects are complex, and research is ongoing, but one clearly documented risk of THC use in adolescence is in how the body handles fat, says Daniele Piomelli, a neuroscientist and leading cannabis researcher at the University of California at Irvine. 'In adolescents who use cannabis heavily, the fat in their bodies becomes dysfunctional. Normally, during times of stress or intense cognitive effort, the brain uses glucose for energy but can also tap into energy derived from fat. But frequent cannabis users often lose that ability,' notes Piomelli. That means they might find concentrating more difficult. 'There's a large body of evidence suggesting a link – not necessarily causation, but a strong association – between cannabis use in adolescence and increased risk of psychosis,' says Piomelli. And while these drinks are only supposed to be consumed by people over 21, adolescence for men is longer than women and 'really continues until 25 or 26'. Even if you're an old crone like me, there are risks. A low-dosage THC drink now and again probably won't do much harm, but it's easy to accidentally go overboard. 'The real problem is that, like many things in the US, we don't do moderation well,' says Piomelli. 'Some of these seltzers now contain up to 100mg of THC. That's enough to send even an experienced user to the hospital if they're not expecting it. Not because THC is deadly – you can't overdose fatally on THC, even if you tried. But the experience can be incredibly unpleasant and disorienting, and recovery might take a couple of days.' It doesn't help that the category is bringing in lots of inexperienced THC users, and dosage guidelines and risks often aren't made particularly clear. In states like New Jersey, you can find THC-infused beverages containing 25mg of THC (not a negligible amount!) in the grocery store, stocked next to seltzers and energy drinks. You can very easily imagine a scenario where someone downs one of these without knowing exactly what they're getting themselves into. If you are intrigued by these beverages, experts say education and a slow start are critical. Start with 2.5mg or less and work your way up incrementally. While it's hard to generalize about effects, Piomelli notes that 'for a person in their 20s to 40s, weighing anywhere from 50-80kg (110-175lbs), 10-20mg of THC per serving would be enough to produce a noticeable buzz – definitely not enough to cause a full-blown high for someone who isn't a regular user.' Sign up to Well Actually Practical advice, expert insights and answers to your questions about how to live a good life after newsletter promotion 'I always say: know before you go,' says Harvard neuroscientist Staci Gruber, who directs the longest-running study of medical cannabis use in the United States. 'What's your goal? Are you looking for mild relaxation or trying to manage chronic pain? Your intention should guide your choice of product.' Many of these THC drinks also include CBD, which is one of the main non-intoxicating components of cannabis, and alters the experience. 'Some research suggests CBD can mitigate some of THC's negative effects, like anxiety or paranoia,' Gruber explains. No matter the ratio, the dose of THC is what's really important. 'THC at low doses is often anxiolytic: it can reduce anxiety and make people feel more relaxed,' says Gruber. 'But at higher doses, it becomes anxiogenic – it can actually cause anxiety. The problem is, what counts as a 'low dose' varies widely from person to person.' THC may have its risks but, just asking for a friend: is going California-sober still healthier than drinking alcohol? After all, alcohol heightens the risks of at least seven types of cancer and the World Health Organization has said no level of consumption is safe. Unfortunately, scientists don't give black-and-white statements that affirm your life choices; they qualify things. And the answer to whether going California-sober is a harm-reduction strategy is: it depends. 'It really depends on the person,' says Ziva Cooper, director of the University of California at Los Angeles Center for Cannabis and Cannabinoids. Factors like someone's age, individual vulnerability and what they're doing while intoxicated can influence the effects, as can frequency and dose of ingestion. 'Some people may have a family history of psychosis or mood disorders,' says Cooper. 'Others may be using very high doses regularly.' But there are risks either way: 'Some are associated with frequent use, and others with being a novice user. One unexpected risk we're now seeing is cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome – basically, heavy users presenting to the ER with severe nausea and vomiting. That was completely off the radar a few years ago.' Cooper notes that scientific research is still lagging behind the market. 'We need better data, more funding and more research, especially because half the adult population is using cannabis products in some form now,' she says. Many THC startups, and their new users, are on a high, but they might be headed for a comedown. 'A lot of these hemp companies are acting like they're too big to fail, like they can't be touched,' says Bricken. 'Maybe that'll end up being true. But right now, nobody really knows how it will play out.' Hemp-derived THC is receiving a lot more scrutiny, and increased regulation – even possible prohibition – is on the horizon. Last month, a key US House committee approved a spending bill, championed by the representative Andy Harris, a long-term prohibitionist, that walks back the legal definition of hemp. The bill still has to pass the House and Senate. But if it does get signed into law, the loophole these hemp-derived THC drink companies rely on will close, and they will have to stop operating in their current form. Separately, Congress generally renews the Farm Bill, a mammoth piece of legislation that funds major agriculture and food programs in the US, every five years. The current bill, which contains the hemp loophole, expired in October 2023 and Congress has since passed two one-year extensions. While they could potentially extend for another year, there's a strong possibility that a new version will be debated later this year. When this happens, Bricken thinks, we'll see the hemp-derived THC loophole either get closed or distilled into some kind of regulatory framework. 'Hemp companies are scrambling to gain ground before anything changes,' notes Bricken. 'They're surprisingly well-organized from a lobbying perspective, and some factions in the alcohol industry support them. But prohibitionist groups are also lobbying hard.' Xander Shepherd, co-founder of THC aperitif brand Artet (his 86-year-old grandmother's art adorns the bottles), says that flux in this sector is nothing new: 'I've almost become numb to the constant changes, whether it's the Farm Bill or state-level regulations. I try to remind myself it's kind of like two steps forward, one step back. But overall, I really believe the industry is moving in the right direction.' While all of this is playing out, I'm going to continue sipping legal THC drinks – albeit with a little more caution than before. Going California-sober is clearly not the healthiest choice in the world but, speaking from a purely personal level, the highs currently outweigh the lows.
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
I traded booze for THC drinks. But are there hidden risks?
Mark Zuckerberg, a billionaire, has said he avoids substances like caffeine because he likes 'rawdogging' reality. I, on the other hand, do not. I mean, have you seen reality lately? For most of my adult life, alcohol has been my preferred way to take the edge off. But, like a lot of other people, I got older and realized regular drinking was not doing me any favours. Last year, I experimented with 'intermittent sobriety', taking months off here and there. It helped, but it was also easy to slip back into bad habits. This year, I've jumped on the California-sober bandwagon, trading booze for the hemp-derived THC drinks that are rapidly growing in popularity. (THC stands for tetrahydrocannabinol, which is the psychoactive component of cannabis.) I've never had any interest in smokable or edible THC in the past – as a green card holder, I reckon I should make that very clear to any immigration officers reading. But these new drinks have been a game-changer. The dosage is clearly marked and the effects are felt almost as quickly as alcohol thanks to a technology called nanoemulsification, which turns the THC into tiny water-soluble droplets that are more rapidly absorbed by the body than traditional edibles. Having a 5mg THC seltzer or infused cocktail in the evening scratches the 'I need to unwind' itch for me with seemingly no short-term negative effects, like a hangover. While I find THC doesn't deliver quite the dopamine rush alcohol does, low doses give me a relaxing warm fuzz, and have been great for my anxiety. Most importantly, it's helped me kick the alcohol habit; I've never felt healthier. Apart from the hefty price tag (one can costs $5-$7), these drinks feel a little too good to be true. So are they? *** The short answer is: sort of. First, their legality is a little … hazy. Marijuana is still a controlled substance under federal law in the US, although some states have legalized it for recreational and/or medicinal purposes. But under the 2018 Farm Bill, any cannabis plant with less than 0.3% delta-9 THC by dry weight is considered hemp and is no longer a controlled substance. This loophole has birthed a booming market: THC beverages are expected to be a $4bn industry by 2028, according to Euromonitor International. (Even comedian Seth Rogen has jumped in with his own line of drinks, called Houseplant.) Depending on the state, you might find these drinks in grocery or liquor stores. Some brands sell online, but while hemp-derived THC is federally legal, this is a grey area, and some states have imposed restrictions on products containing it. Whether birthing a THC product industry was an intention of the Farm Bill is unclear. 'Some independent attorneys argue it was,' says Hilary Bricken, a lawyer who specializes in cannabis. 'Others say absolutely not: the bill was meant to promote things like textiles, not consumer-facing drugs. But ultimately, it's enforcement, or the lack of it, that's allowed this market to develop the way it has.' Related: California sober: what does it mean and is it good for you? 'There's no federal regulation unless a particular state steps in,' says Bricken. 'Some states, like Minnesota, regulate these products. Others, like California, have banned them entirely.' (In California, these unregulated hemp-derived THC products are banned, but THC products that comply with the state's cannabis regulations can legally be sold at cannabis dispensaries.) But there are other risks to be aware of. 'Practices vary wildly between operators,' says Bricken. 'For the consumer, it's hard to tell what's actually in the drink. There's no federal standard, so it's essentially dealer's choice on the operator side. While the original hemp might have tested under the 0.3% THC threshold, post-harvest it can be transformed in ways that technically still comply with federal law. But many believe that most of what's being sold is synthetically derived, and potentially contains toxic compounds.' Even in a best-case scenario where you're buying from a responsible operator, THC isn't as harmless as many believe. A recent study led by researchers at the University of California at San Francisco found people who regularly used marijuana in either smokable or edible form had reduced blood vessel function comparable to tobacco smokers. This is associated with a greater risk of heart attack and other cardiovascular issues. 'We saw a 42% reduction in vascular function in marijuana smokers and 56% in THC edible users,' said lead study author Leila Mohammadi. 'The effect was dose-dependent: the more someone used per week, the worse their vascular function.' Worryingly, even relatively small doses of 2.5mg multiple times a week seemed to have a harmful effect. The study didn't look at drinkable THC; a single can typically contains 2.5-10mg, though some products have considerably more. But Mohammadi notes there's no reason to think drinkable products would be significantly different. THC can also affect cognitive function, especially in adolescents, whose endocannabinoid systems – which interact with cannabinoids like THC and regulate critical bodily functions – are still developing. The long-term effects are complex, and research is ongoing, but one clearly documented risk of THC use in adolescence is in how the body handles fat, says Daniele Piomelli, a neuroscientist and leading cannabis researcher at the University of California at Irvine. 'In adolescents who use cannabis heavily, the fat in their bodies becomes dysfunctional. Normally, during times of stress or intense cognitive effort, the brain uses glucose for energy but can also tap into energy derived from fat. But frequent cannabis users often lose that ability,' notes Piomelli. That means they might find concentrating more difficult. 'There's a large body of evidence suggesting a link – not necessarily causation, but a strong association – between cannabis use in adolescence and increased risk of psychosis,' says Piomelli. And while these drinks are only supposed to be consumed by people over 21, adolescence for men is longer than women and 'really continues until 25 or 26'. Even if you're an old crone like me, there are risks. A low-dosage THC drink now and again probably won't do much harm, but it's easy to accidentally go overboard. 'The real problem is that, like many things in the US, we don't do moderation well,' says Piomelli. 'Some of these seltzers now contain up to 100mg of THC. That's enough to send even an experienced user to the hospital if they're not expecting it. Not because THC is deadly – you can't overdose fatally on THC, even if you tried. But the experience can be incredibly unpleasant and disorienting, and recovery might take a couple of days.' It doesn't help that the category is bringing in lots of inexperienced THC users, and dosage guidelines and risks often aren't made particularly clear. In states like New Jersey, you can find THC-infused beverages containing 25mg of THC (not a negligible amount!) in the grocery store, stocked next to seltzers and energy drinks. You can very easily imagine a scenario where someone downs one of these without knowing exactly what they're getting themselves into. *** If you are intrigued by these beverages, experts say education and a slow start are critical. Start with 2.5mg or less and work your way up incrementally. While it's hard to generalize about effects, Piomelli notes that 'for a person in their 20s to 40s, weighing anywhere from 50-80kg (110-175lbs), 10-20mg of THC per serving would be enough to produce a noticeable buzz – definitely not enough to cause a full-blown high for someone who isn't a regular user.' 'I always say: know before you go,' says Harvard neuroscientist Staci Gruber, who directs the longest-running study of medical cannabis use in the United States. 'What's your goal? Are you looking for mild relaxation or trying to manage chronic pain? Your intention should guide your choice of product.' Many of these THC drinks also include CBD, which is one of the main non-intoxicating components of cannabis, and alters the experience. 'Some research suggests CBD can mitigate some of THC's negative effects, like anxiety or paranoia,' Gruber explains. No matter the ratio, the dose of THC is what's really important. 'THC at low doses is often anxiolytic: it can reduce anxiety and make people feel more relaxed,' says Gruber. 'But at higher doses, it becomes anxiogenic – it can actually cause anxiety. The problem is, what counts as a 'low dose' varies widely from person to person.' Related: The wellness drink for sober people that some say they can't stop drinking THC may have its risks but, just asking for a friend: is going California-sober still healthier than drinking alcohol? After all, alcohol heightens the risks of at least seven types of cancer and the World Health Organization has said no level of consumption is safe. Unfortunately, scientists don't give black-and-white statements that affirm your life choices; they qualify things. And the answer to whether going California-sober is a harm-reduction strategy is: it depends. 'It really depends on the person,' says Ziva Cooper, director of the University of California at Los Angeles Center for Cannabis and Cannabinoids. Factors like someone's age, individual vulnerability and what they're doing while intoxicated can influence the effects, as can frequency and dose of ingestion. 'Some people may have a family history of psychosis or mood disorders,' says Cooper. 'Others may be using very high doses regularly.' But there are risks either way: 'Some are associated with frequent use, and others with being a novice user. One unexpected risk we're now seeing is cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome – basically, heavy users presenting to the ER with severe nausea and vomiting. That was completely off the radar a few years ago.' Cooper notes that scientific research is still lagging behind the market. 'We need better data, more funding and more research, especially because half the adult population is using cannabis products in some form now,' she says. *** Many THC startups, and their new users, are on a high, but they might be headed for a comedown. 'A lot of these hemp companies are acting like they're too big to fail, like they can't be touched,' says Bricken. 'Maybe that'll end up being true. But right now, nobody really knows how it will play out.' Hemp-derived THC is receiving a lot more scrutiny, and increased regulation – even possible prohibition – is on the horizon. Last month, a key US House committee approved a spending bill, championed by the representative Andy Harris, a long-term prohibitionist, that walks back the legal definition of hemp. The bill still has to pass the House and Senate. But if it does get signed into law, the loophole these hemp-derived THC drink companies rely on will close, and they will have to stop operating in their current form. Separately, Congress generally renews the Farm Bill, a mammoth piece of legislation that funds major agriculture and food programs in the US, every five years. The current bill, which contains the hemp loophole, expired in October 2023 and Congress has since passed two one-year extensions. While they could potentially extend for another year, there's a strong possibility that a new version will be debated later this year. When this happens, Bricken thinks, we'll see the hemp-derived THC loophole either get closed or distilled into some kind of regulatory framework. 'Hemp companies are scrambling to gain ground before anything changes,' notes Bricken. 'They're surprisingly well-organized from a lobbying perspective, and some factions in the alcohol industry support them. But prohibitionist groups are also lobbying hard.' Xander Shepherd, co-founder of THC aperitif brand Artet (his 86-year-old grandmother's art adorns the bottles), says that flux in this sector is nothing new: 'I've almost become numb to the constant changes, whether it's the Farm Bill or state-level regulations. I try to remind myself it's kind of like two steps forward, one step back. But overall, I really believe the industry is moving in the right direction.' While all of this is playing out, I'm going to continue sipping legal THC drinks – albeit with a little more caution than before. Going California-sober is clearly not the healthiest choice in the world but, speaking from a purely personal level, the highs currently outweigh the lows.
The Guardian
15-07-2025
- Health
- The Guardian
I traded booze for THC drinks. But are there hidden risks?
Mark Zuckerberg, a billionaire, has said he avoids substances like caffeine because he likes 'rawdogging' reality. I, on the other hand, do not. I mean, have you seen reality lately? For most of my adult life, alcohol has been my preferred way to take the edge off. But, like a lot of other people, I got older and realized regular drinking was not doing me any favours. Last year, I experimented with 'intermittent sobriety', taking months off here and there. It helped, but it was also easy to slip back into bad habits. This year, I've jumped on the California-sober bandwagon, trading booze for the hemp-derived THC drinks that are rapidly growing in popularity. (THC stands for tetrahydrocannabinol, which is the psychoactive component of cannabis.) I've never had any interest in smokable or edible THC in the past – as a green card holder, I reckon I should make that very clear to any immigration officers reading. But these new drinks have been a game-changer. The dosage is clearly marked and the effects are felt almost as quickly as alcohol thanks to a technology called nanoemulsification, which turns the THC into tiny water-soluble droplets that are more rapidly absorbed by the body than traditional edibles. Having a 5mg THC seltzer or infused cocktail in the evening scratches the 'I need to unwind' itch for me with seemingly no short-term negative effects, like a hangover. While I find THC doesn't deliver quite the dopamine rush alcohol does, low doses give me a relaxing warm fuzz, and have been great for my anxiety. Most importantly, it's helped me kick the alcohol habit; I've never felt healthier. Apart from the hefty price tag (one can costs $5-$7), these drinks feel a little too good to be true. So are they? The short answer is: sort of. First, their legality is a little … hazy. Marijuana is still a controlled substance under federal law in the US, although some states have legalized it for recreational and/or medicinal purposes. But under the 2018 Farm Bill, any cannabis plant with less than 0.3% delta-9 THC by dry weight is considered hemp and is no longer a controlled substance. This loophole has birthed a booming market: THC beverages are expected to be a $4bn industry by 2028, according to Euromonitor International. (Even comedian Seth Rogen has jumped in with his own line of drinks, called Houseplant.) Depending on the state, you might find these drinks in grocery or liquor stores. Some brands sell online, but while hemp-derived THC is federally legal, this is a grey area, and some states have imposed restrictions on products containing it. Whether birthing a THC product industry was an intention of the Farm Bill is unclear. 'Some independent attorneys argue it was,' says Hilary Bricken, a lawyer who specializes in cannabis. 'Others say absolutely not: the bill was meant to promote things like textiles, not consumer-facing drugs. But ultimately, it's enforcement, or the lack of it, that's allowed this market to develop the way it has.' 'There's no federal regulation unless a particular state steps in,' says Bricken. 'Some states, like Minnesota, regulate these products. Others, like California, have banned them entirely.' (In California, these unregulated hemp-derived THC products are banned, but THC products that comply with the state's cannabis regulations can legally be sold at cannabis dispensaries.) But there are other risks to be aware of. 'Practices vary wildly between operators,' says Bricken. 'For the consumer, it's hard to tell what's actually in the drink. There's no federal standard, so it's essentially dealer's choice on the operator side. While the original hemp might have tested under the 0.3% THC threshold, post-harvest it can be transformed in ways that technically still comply with federal law. But many believe that most of what's being sold is synthetically derived, and potentially contains toxic compounds.' Even in a best-case scenario where you're buying from a responsible operator, THC isn't as harmless as many believe. A recent study led by researchers at the University of California at San Francisco found people who regularly used marijuana in either smokable or edible form had reduced blood vessel function comparable to tobacco smokers. This is associated with a greater risk of heart attack and other cardiovascular issues. 'We saw a 42% reduction in vascular function in marijuana smokers and 56% in THC edible users,' said lead study author Leila Mohammadi. 'The effect was dose-dependent: the more someone used per week, the worse their vascular function.' Worryingly, even relatively small doses of 2.5mg multiple times a week seemed to have a harmful effect. The study didn't look at drinkable THC; a single can typically contains 2.5-10mg, though some products have considerably more. But Mohammadi notes there's no reason to think drinkable products would be significantly different. THC can also affect cognitive function, especially in adolescents, whose endocannabinoid systems – which interact with cannabinoids like THC and regulate critical bodily functions – are still developing. The long-term effects are complex, and research is ongoing, but one clearly documented risk of THC use in adolescence is in how the body handles fat, says Daniele Piomelli, a neuroscientist and leading cannabis researcher at the University of California at Irvine. 'In adolescents who use cannabis heavily, the fat in their bodies becomes dysfunctional. Normally, during times of stress or intense cognitive effort, the brain uses glucose for energy but can also tap into energy derived from fat. But frequent cannabis users often lose that ability,' notes Piomelli. That means they might find concentrating more difficult. 'There's a large body of evidence suggesting a link – not necessarily causation, but a strong association – between cannabis use in adolescence and increased risk of psychosis,' says Piomelli. And while these drinks are only supposed to be consumed by people over 21, adolescence for men is longer than women and 'really continues until 25 or 26'. Even if you're an old crone like me, there are risks. A low-dosage THC drink now and again probably won't do much harm, but it's easy to accidentally go overboard. 'The real problem is that, like many things in the US, we don't do moderation well,' says Piomelli. 'Some of these seltzers now contain up to 100mg of THC. That's enough to send even an experienced user to the hospital if they're not expecting it. Not because THC is deadly – you can't overdose fatally on THC, even if you tried. But the experience can be incredibly unpleasant and disorienting, and recovery might take a couple of days.' It doesn't help that the category is bringing in lots of inexperienced THC users, and dosage guidelines and risks often aren't made particularly clear. In states like New Jersey, you can find THC-infused beverages containing 25mg of THC (not a negligible amount!) in the grocery store, stocked next to seltzers and energy drinks. You can very easily imagine a scenario where someone downs one of these without knowing exactly what they're getting themselves into. If you are intrigued by these beverages, experts say education and a slow start are critical. Start with 2.5mg or less and work your way up incrementally. While it's hard to generalize about effects, Piomelli notes that 'for a person in their 20s to 40s, weighing anywhere from 50-80kg (110-175lbs), 10-20mg of THC per serving would be enough to produce a noticeable buzz – definitely not enough to cause a full-blown high for someone who isn't a regular user.' Sign up to Well Actually Practical advice, expert insights and answers to your questions about how to live a good life after newsletter promotion 'I always say: know before you go,' says Harvard neuroscientist Staci Gruber, who directs the longest-running study of medical cannabis use in the United States. 'What's your goal? Are you looking for mild relaxation or trying to manage chronic pain? Your intention should guide your choice of product.' Many of these THC drinks also include CBD, which is one of the main non-intoxicating components of cannabis, and alters the experience. 'Some research suggests CBD can mitigate some of THC's negative effects, like anxiety or paranoia,' Gruber explains. No matter the ratio, the dose of THC is what's really important. 'THC at low doses is often anxiolytic: it can reduce anxiety and make people feel more relaxed,' says Gruber. 'But at higher doses, it becomes anxiogenic – it can actually cause anxiety. The problem is, what counts as a 'low dose' varies widely from person to person.' THC may have its risks but, just asking for a friend: is going California-sober still healthier than drinking alcohol? After all, alcohol heightens the risks of at least seven types of cancer and the World Health Organization has said no level of consumption is safe. Unfortunately, scientists don't give black-and-white statements that affirm your life choices; they qualify things. And the answer to whether going California-sober is a harm-reduction strategy is: it depends. 'It really depends on the person,' says Ziva Cooper, director of the University of California at Los Angeles Center for Cannabis and Cannabinoids. Factors like someone's age, individual vulnerability and what they're doing while intoxicated can influence the effects, as can frequency and dose of ingestion. 'Some people may have a family history of psychosis or mood disorders,' says Cooper. 'Others may be using very high doses regularly.' But there are risks either way: 'Some are associated with frequent use, and others with being a novice user. One unexpected risk we're now seeing is cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome – basically, heavy users presenting to the ER with severe nausea and vomiting. That was completely off the radar a few years ago.' Cooper notes that scientific research is still lagging behind the market. 'We need better data, more funding and more research, especially because half the adult population is using cannabis products in some form now,' she says. Many THC startups, and their new users, are on a high, but they might be headed for a comedown. 'A lot of these hemp companies are acting like they're too big to fail, like they can't be touched,' says Bricken. 'Maybe that'll end up being true. But right now, nobody really knows how it will play out.' Hemp-derived THC is receiving a lot more scrutiny, and increased regulation – even possible prohibition – is on the horizon. Last month, a key US House committee approved a spending bill, championed by the representative Andy Harris, a long-term prohibitionist, that walks back the legal definition of hemp. The bill still has to pass the House and Senate. But if it does get signed into law, the loophole these hemp-derived THC drink companies rely on will close, and they will have to stop operating in their current form. Separately, Congress generally renews the Farm Bill, a mammoth piece of legislation that funds major agriculture and food programs in the US, every five years. The current bill, which contains the hemp loophole, expired in October 2023 and Congress has since passed two one-year extensions. While they could potentially extend for another year, there's a strong possibility that a new version will be debated later this year. When this happens, Bricken thinks, we'll see the hemp-derived THC loophole either get closed or distilled into some kind of regulatory framework. 'Hemp companies are scrambling to gain ground before anything changes,' notes Bricken. 'They're surprisingly well-organized from a lobbying perspective, and some factions in the alcohol industry support them. But prohibitionist groups are also lobbying hard.' Xander Shepherd, co-founder of THC aperitif brand Artet (his 86-year-old grandmother's art adorns the bottles), says that flux in this sector is nothing new: 'I've almost become numb to the constant changes, whether it's the Farm Bill or state-level regulations. I try to remind myself it's kind of like two steps forward, one step back. But overall, I really believe the industry is moving in the right direction.' While all of this is playing out, I'm going to continue sipping legal THC drinks – albeit with a little more caution than before. Going California-sober is clearly not the healthiest choice in the world but, speaking from a purely personal level, the highs currently outweigh the lows.
