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With a flood of mysterious lung diseases grabbing global headlines and the U.S. moving to ban flavoured e-cigarettes, the ability to vape is quickly evaporating from some markets.

But will the rush to prohibit the products do more harm than good?

In the U.S., eight people have already died from a lung disease connected to vaping and hundreds more have fallen ill, prompting intervention by the highest levels of government.

India, the world’s second-largest consumer of tobacco behind only China, is in the process of completely banning vaping. With more than 900,000 people dying yearly from tobacco-related illnesses, the country’s health ministry noted it felt compelled to act before it became an epidemic among its youth.

But a rush to ban vaping altogether will likely just push more consumers to the black market where the bigger problems lie, said David Hammond, a public health professor at the University of Waterloo in southwestern Ontario. “I don’t think prohibition would make sense. If you prohibit it, you might increase cases of contaminants because you don’t get chance to apply proper standards to products,” Hammond said.

The billion-dollar question, yet unanswered, is what is making consumers sick. “People suspect a contaminant because we all of a sudden saw a big number of cases,” Hammond said. “Like food illness outbreaks, cases clustered together suggest something with the supply chain.”

The most recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said that most, but not all, cases of illness in the U.S. involved THC and not nicotine. With researchers turning their focus to the presence of Vitamin E as a potential problem in the process, consumers are just tired of the uncertainty.

“People are frustrated by not having enough information,” Hammond said. “But there is no doubt that THC products are widely implicated, with some products purchased outside of the legal market,” he added.

Until the cause is determined, Hammond recommends only vaping dried cannabis and avoiding products from the black market. “For the most part, risks are reduced through good manufacturing. I expect that to remain true. But there may be a question mark at end of that statement now,” he said.

“Health Canada should also be taking a good look at its product standards to make sure we aren’t just saying ‘good luck’ to companies that are trying to make sure their products are not harmful.”

Hammond anticipates that the popularity of vaping will bounce back once the source of the contaminant is discovered because it is safer than smoking cigarettes and is far more convenient. “Vaporizing is ready when you are. It doesn’t smell, it’s easy to conceal and use unobtrusively and you get the immediate effects of smoking compared to edibles. It checks a lot of boxes,” he said.

“This scare is the big unknown. It all depends on how this is resolved,” Hammond said.

China plans to join governments that are imposing controls on tobacco liquid and additives for e-cigarettes amid rising concern about deaths and illnesses blamed on vaping, a state news agency said Tuesday.

Rules due out as early as next month also will cover e-cigarette devices and packaging, the China News Service said, citing unidentified sources at the State Tobacco Monopoly. The monopoly didn’t immediately respond to requests by phone for more details.

India banned sales of e-cigarettes this month and regulators in the United States and other countries are imposing controls following a surge in deaths and illnesses blamed on vaping.

Makers of e-cigarettes including Juul Labs Inc. have promoted them as being safer than standard cigarettes, but the U.S. Food and Drug Administration says no vaping product has been reviewed and found to be less harmful than traditional tobacco products.

China is the most populous global tobacco market, with an estimated 350 million smokers. India is No. 2.

Companies in the Chinese e-cigarette industry invested at least 1 billion yuan ($140 million) in 2018 year and 35 deals were made in the first half of this year, according to CNS.

China banned sales of e-cigarettes to people under 18 in August 2018.

In July, the country’s National Health Commission said studies showed the aerosol generated by e-cigarettes contains toxic elements and additives pose health risks, according to CNS.

In Other Countries

In the United States, health officials are investigating a surge of severe breathing illnesses linked to vaping. They have identified 380 confirmed and probable cases, including six deaths.

U.S. doctors say the illnesses appear to be a response to the inhalation of a caustic substance. Symptoms have included shortness of breath, fatigue, chest pain, diarrhea and vomiting.

This month, the state government of New York banned the sale of flavored e-cigarettes.

Demand for vaping products in legal U.S. recreational states has slipped anywhere from 5% to 25% month over month in the wake of a string of lung illnesses linked to vaping, an analyst says, adding that U.S. marijuana stocks like Greenlane (GNLN) and KushCo Holdings (KSHB) that depend on vapes for a large portion of sales were among the most exposed.

However, the analyst, Canaccord Genuity's Bobby Burleson, said in a research note on Monday that the respiratory illnesses were likely to more quickly steer customers away from the illicit pot market.

"In our view, recent reports of acute respiratory illness linked by regulators to THC vaping (and e-cigarettes) should ultimately accelerate the shift away from the black market for cannabis products in the US," he wrote.

Near-term impact overall on THC vape demand, he said, was "mixed." He said medical dispensaries were largely unaffected. In states where recreational pot is legal, he said, the drop in vape demand had been largely counterbalanced by higher sales in edibles, joints and other weed products.

As of this week, nine people in the U.S. have died from the vaping-related illnesses. Investigators haven't yet pinned down an exact cause. Five-hundred and thirty illnesses have been reported across 38 states since April. The FDA at that time first launched an investigation into seizures that might have been related to vaping.

Caveats To Vaping Threat

Investigators looking into the deaths and illnesses have focused, in part, on vaping products — including those that contain THC — acquired on the illicit market. New York state has homed in on products that contain vitamin E acetate, sometimes used as a thickener. Vaping startup Juul faces a federal criminal probe in California.

Burleson also said officials in Oregon were looking into whether one vaping-related death there might have been linked to purchases in legal cannabis shops.

"While we are likely early days in resolving these industry challenges, longer term we expect associated revenue and EBITDA impact to our vape-related coverage names to be more modest than the sell-off suggests," Burleson said. EBITDA refers to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization.

He also noted that "vape is a lower margin business and THC vaping illnesses have largely been a black market phenomenon (with the exception of one case)."

U.S. Marijuana Stocks Exposed

The scope of the investigations has widened along with vaping's popularity — both for tobacco and marijuana.

Burleson said that Greenlane, a distributor of vaping devices, drew around 80% of its sales last year from vaping products. Greenlane had its IPO earlier this year.

TILT Holdings, the product of a multi-company merger across the U.S. and Canada, gets 77% of sales from vapes. For KushCo, a distributor of a variety of supplies for the cannabis industry, vaping accounted for 69% of sales.

KushCo earlier this year also had to deal with tariffs on vaping products and other supplies it gets from China.

KushCo, which trades over the counter, tumbled 11% in the stock market today. The stock has fallen for much of the year. Greenlane sank 10.5%.

Similar to other marijuana stocks, Greenlane stock gets weak ratings from IBD. It has a 4 Composite Rating, of a best-possible 99, and a 5 EPS Rating.

Canadian Marijuana Stocks

As the U.S. tries to contain the vaping illnesses, Canada is gearing up to allow legal sales of vaping products and other products, like beverages and edibles, later this year. Currently, Canada allows the sale of dry buds, joints, tinctures and capsules.

Among Canadian marijuana stocks, Cronos Group (CRON), which has said it plans to make vaping a focus, fell 8.6%. Canopy Growth (CGC) lost 6.2%. Aurora Cannabis (ACB) sold off 6.3%. Tilray (TLRY) gave up 5.2%. Aphria (APHA) sank 5.8%.

The marijuana stock market has shifted dramatically over the course of the past few years. In that time, we have seen the industry become more friendly to outside investors, allowing pot stocks to flourish, and new technology to become more available than ever. With so many different pot stocks to watch in the market, it can be a daunting task to pick just one. This choice, however, is made much easier by the amount of research that one is willing to put into finding the right pot stocks to watch.

With ample research, it seems that one can avoid large surprises when it comes to price action. One must also note that volatility in the marijuana stock market is somewhat unavoidable. Given that the industry itself is so new, it seems as though the price action we have seen has been quite up and down. This, however, is a positive for some investors as it allows for the potential of larger gains. One should also note that the potential for larger losses is there as well. All in all, these pot stocks to watch are making big moves for the near future.

A Vertical Pot Stock to Watch

1933 Industries Inc. (TGIFF Stock Report) (TGIF Stock Report) is one of the leading vertically integrated marijuana stocks to watch. The company currently has operations in both the U.S. and Canada. With their broad reach, they have been able to enter into branding, cannabis cultivation, extraction, processing and the manufacturing of assets. Some of their in house brands include AMA Flower and AMA Concentrates, CBD-infused Canna Hemp, Canna Hemp X and more. With these partners, they have been able to secure one of the top spots in the pot stock market. Vertical integration has also been named as one of the key factors to success in the pot stock market.

The company recently announced that they have entered into a licensing agreement for the launch of Blonde, a high end Californian cannabis brand currently working its way into the Nevada market. Under the one year agreement, their subsidiary Alternative Medicine Association, will receive exclusive rights to cultivate flower, manufacture pre-rolls and produce other products made under the Blonde brand name. For this reason, they remain a key pot stock to watch moving forward.

A Canadian Cannabis Stock

OrganiGram Holdings (OGI Stock Report) is one of the leading Canadian pot stocks and one of the largest growers of marijuana in the world. The company has seen some issues in the past few months as supply worries have plagued the Canadian pot market.

One of the ways in which this has been somewhat solved has been a large issuance of growth licenses in the country. The company is still working off of an operating loss, but it seems as though many in the cannabis market are due to the capital intensive process of opening a cannabis business. Regardless, their massive growth amount makes them one of the interesting pot stocks to watch throughout the near future.

Motherhood comes with tons of questions and a myriad of complications. One such major issue is postpartum depression. A study by the US National Library of Medicine reports that approximately 15% of mothers encounter postpartum depression. The actual number might be higher, as many cases go unaccounted. Many new parents are turning to CBD for help instead of relying entirely on prescriptions and psychotherapy. Is it fruitful? Let us find out.

Postpartum Depression: How is it Different from Baby Blues?

Postpartum Depression (PPD) is a severe long-term postnatal complication where the mother is unable to bond with her child, is guilt-ridden about accidentally hurting the child or not being able to be a good mother, and has suicidal thoughts. A much rare form of postpartum depression involves hallucinations, delusions, and other psychotic symptoms. It is postpartum psychosis.

The National Institute of Mental Health reports that there is no particular cause of postpartum depression. It is a combination of both physical and emotional factors. Lack of sleep, hormonal imbalances, chronic pain, and other physical changes along with the sudden lifestyle shift and surge in responsibilities severely affects a new mother’s mental health. While it resembles baby blues in many ways, do not confuse the symptoms of postpartum depression with the other one and leave it untreated. Baby blues go away after the initial few weeks but, PPD lingers longer and requires a psychiatrist’s help.

Symptoms of Baby Blues and Postpartum Depression:

The characteristics of baby blues are a numb sensation, uncontrolled crying, fatigue, impatience, insomnia, headaches, drastic mood swings, anger issues, sadness, irritability, panic attacks, etc. In postpartum depression, these symptoms appear in an aggravated state. There’s also loneliness, loss of appetite, lack of energy, cognitive disabilities, loss of interest in hobbies or any other activities, development of pessimistic attitude in all aspects of life, chronic pain, blurred vision, and even suicidal attempts. 

What does Research say about CBD and Depression?

CBD or cannabidiol improves the functioning of the endocannabinoid system (ECS), a human system responsible for maintaining homeostasis and regulating emotions in humans. A 2014 review states that CBD can act as an effective antidepressant and anti-anxiety drug in animal models.

The authors of a 2018 review found that both long-term and short-term use of CBD products showed promising progress in anxiety and stress management. The compound works without directly stimulating the endocannabinoid receptors in the brain. So, chances of CBD addiction are quite low. It can even minimize cravings in people experiencing opioid use disorder.  

Treating Postpartum Depression: Can CBD Help?

With studies providing evidence of health benefits, today, CBD is becoming increasingly popular in the treatment of postpartum depression. As such, breastfeeding is one of the significant aspects of CBD’s effectiveness in treating PPD. Several studies show that breast milk naturally contains endocannabinoids. Intake of CBD in any form adds to cannabinoid content of breast milk. Mothers, who felt disconnected from their child as an outcome of PPD, claimed that CBD potentially flared up their confidence to breastfeed their children. 

Additionally, CBD can also

1. a) Reduce Pangs of Anxiety in PPD

Women with postpartum depression often feel stressed and anxious and experience sudden pangs of a panic attack. While it is not unusual in women during the first few weeks after delivery, it becomes a matter of concern if it lasts longer and takes the form of postpartum anxiety disorder. Around 4 – 11% of women experience postpartum anxiety, however, so many more cases go unreported.

As children are receptive to their parent’s emotions, seeing an anxious or stressed out mother might develop anxiety in the child too. Accompanied by excessive crying and lack of sleep, anxiety may hamper the child’s overall growth.

CBD has shown promise in the treatment of anxiety-related symptoms. When you start moving very fast at the onset of a panic attack, a neurotransmitter called GABA serves as a brake pedal for the nervous system and helps you relax. CBD interacts with this neurotransmitter and enhances its binding capacity. So, you can buy weed online to treat anxiety symptoms during the postpartum period. 

1. b) Help you get a Sound Sleep

A usual condition and symptom of postpartum depression is lack of sleep. The large scale neurological changes and hormonal imbalances occurring inside a woman’s body in the changing context of new motherhood cause postpartum insomnia.

Negative amounts of sleep may heighten the challenges of parenting, interrupt life, and impair the mother’s ability to care for the baby and herself. Celia Bahar, a therapist in Ithaca, New York, recalls insomnia worsening the symptoms of her postpartum depression such as numb detachment, hysterical tears, feelings of unworthiness and self-hatred following the birth of her first and second daughter. Only when she had started using homegrown marijuana, she found her insomnia vanishing.

Like Celia Bahar, many other moms worldwide have spoken about the significant improvements they witnessed in PPD with the administration of CBD, thanks to its relaxing and sedating effects. Studies show that doses larger than 200 mg help insomniacs fall asleep faster, remain asleep longer, and wake up with a refreshing feeling the next day. 

CBD v/s Prescribed Antidepressants for PPD

Talk about postpartum depression to doctors and most of them are likely to prescribe antidepressants like Lexapro, Prozac, or Zyban. While they make you active and may cure the depression with prolonged use, they herald negative effects like weight loss, increased lack of sleep, migraine, shaky hands, dizziness, and nausea. To avoid these drawbacks and deal with PPD more effectively, many mothers resort to CBD products from Sabaidee CBD company. Unlike anti-anxiety medicines, in no way does CBD impair her childcare capabilities, says Jo Highland, mother of two in Ohio and part of the growing community of CBD consumers.

How much CBD should you take?

The key to leveraging the therapeutic benefits of CBD is using it in moderation, especially during breastfeeding. For mothers who wish to start smoking medical marijuana or take CBD supplements, doctors recommend starting intake with small quantities, preferably 25 – 50 mg per day, at a consistent hour of the day. Gradually, you can increase the amount.

Like Dr. Kevin Gilliland, the executive director of Innovation 360, an outpatient treatment facility, most medical professionals suggest a multi-faceted approach in the treatment of postpartum depression. Since PPD demands quick relief, CBD fills in the drawback of slow responses from regular medication and counselling. With CBD, you need not fear about getting high as the psychoactive compound THC is absent in it. Consult your psychiatrist and invest in budget buds to remain happy and connect with your child during one of the most challenging periods in life.

In Thailand, the seeds of a cannabis awakening are beginning to grow as restrictions on the plant lessen.

While the country has been one of America’s biggest allies when it comes to the War on Drugs, the conservative military-run nation is beginning to peel back the harsh anti-pot laws and opening the doors to medical research.

Thailand has a long history with the plant, where the words “bong” and “ganja” originated, which is also very much intertwined with our own American history with the plant. In December, it became the first country in Asia to legalize medical marijuana.

Citing the success of the western push to legalize cannabis both monetary and medically, Thailand is currently in a race with Malaysia to become the center of marijuana in Asia.

What is Thailand Doing?

While steps are being made toward legalization, they are baby steps.

Almost every country in Asia has been firmly against cannabis for decades, with many countries following the lead set by America for the War on Drugs. Being caught with the drug can mean a hefty fine or serious jail time depending on the amount.

Thailand has walked toe to toe with America in the War on Drugs, with the country having the largest prison system in the region, and 70 percent of the inmates jailed on drug crimes. While methamphetamines are seen as the biggest problem in the country, ganja smokers are considered to be cut from the same cloth.

The official word for marijuana in the region is “ganja,” where it is a class 5 drug, which is the most severe ranking in the country.

In Thailand, not only are police allowed to stop and search anyone, but they can also “force people to pee in cups, right on the street, and test their urine for drugs,” according to Public Radio International.

However, times are changing, and now cannabis is considered to be “a top priority” by the Thai government, which is seeking to create “world-class cannabis” for use. 

Last December, the country quietly allowed medical marijuana research to begin in the country. The vote was unanimous, showing a change in temperament in the country and the region.

Policy makers in the country are saying that a global shift in legalization has lead to a large destigmatization in the country, while others point to America’s weakening influence on the country.

Another big push for the plant is coming from the big pay day expected.

“It will wake up the agricultural industry in Thailand,” Chokwan “Kitty” Chorpaka, a Thai activist, tells PRI. “We’re that country that loves to promote cash crops: rice and rubber and palm oil. Cannabis is just another cash crop that they want to bring in and stimulate the economy.”

The plant grows well in the nation, which is well suited for year round growing and vast amounts of land.

Currently, the country has a medical marijuana system that will treat cancer, multiple sclerosis, chronic pain, epilepsy and more in the beginning. Research centers looking into more possible benefits are also being set up in the country.

Scientists in the country have already come up with a series of products aimed at helping reduce pain in those suffering, including THC-infused wafers, massage oils, a nasal spray and a powder that mixes up some of Thailand’s most notable spices.

The powder prototype would be mixed with coconut oil with sandalwood, ginger and three types of pepper to form a coconut flavored drink.

Will Recreational Cannabis Come to Thailand?

In July, an even bigger push was made with the introduction of a bill that would allow citizens to grow their own plants and begin setting up a recreational market. While it will most likely be a few more years before a full recreational system will be put into place, the enthusiasm behind the plant is growing. 

At the time, Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha set out the ground work to begin looking more into the issue, which has become a top priority for the Bhumjaithai party, one of the biggest parties in the country’s 19-party coalition.

Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha

“The study and technological development of marijuana, hemp, and other medicinal herbs should be sped up for the medical industry to create economic opportunity and income for the people,” the policy document released by the government said.

While there is excitement in the government, many are reluctant until they see the science, which may take a year or two to fully begin in Thailand.

At Rangsit University, where the first cannabis research programs are being developed, the main focus is currently on medical purposes.

Supachai Kunaratnpruk, a former Thailand’s health minister who is now leading Rangsit University’s research efforts, told PRI that “We can’t let it fall into one [set of] hands, one big company. Our responsibility is to develop special Thai strains of world-class cannabis used in medicine. We want to cooperate with farmer co-ops. They grow it, we provide knowledge and it’s all sold to the medical profession. That’s the model.” 

A vote is expected on a bill by the Bhumjaithai party that would open the door for home-grown legalization in the coming months, however, it is doubtful that it will come to fruition this early.

What About The Rest of Asia?

Most of Asia has a relatively harsh stance against the drug, with some countries having death penalties if caught.

One of those countries, Malaysia, downgraded the punishment for being caught with the drug last year and have quietly moved toward enacting their own cannabis programs in the country.

China, South Korea and the Philippines have also made baby steps toward a more marijuana friendly world recently, with the countries beginning to look into more research and medical programs.

While the driving factor for many of the countries may well be profit, the lesser restrictions and punishments for marijuana are a sign of the times.

A new set of medical cannabis laws were just signed into law in Utah. The development is the latest in what has become a protracted battle over medical marijuana in the state.

Most notably, the new medical marijuana laws do away with a prior plan to institute a centralized, state-run distribution system that many advocates said would become hugely problematic. Now, Utah will implement a much broader framework for distributing medical cannabis to patients.

Governor Signs New Laws

The new laws will immediately go into effect, as Governor Gary Herbert has officially signed off on them. The set of marijuana-related amendments signed by the governor are the outcome of a special legislative session held last week.

Changes to the state’s distribution system are among the most significant amendments. In the version of Utah’s medical marijuana program that immediately preceded these amendments, patients would only be able to get medicine through a “central fill” system.

This distribution system essentially required state government employees to distribute medical marijuana. After receiving significant pushback from many in the state, lawmakers revised this provision.

Now that the new amendments have been signed into law, Utah will do away with its state-run dispensing model. In its place, the state will allow for privately-owned and operated medical cannabis dispensaries.

Importantly, the new amendments double the number of cannabis pharmacy licenses the state will give out. Additionally, the new amendments allow for home delivery. Specifically, the home delivery provision is designed to service patients in rural locations.

Replacing a Broken System

Prior to these new amendments, Utah’s central fill system was very controversial. Specifically, it came under fire both for how it was passed into law and for how it would operate.

In 2018, Utah voters approved medical marijuana. But almost immediately, state lawmakers—acting largely at the behest of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints—held a special legislative session in which they quickly replaced the voter-approved medical marijuana program with a dramatically different program. And central fill was one of the key differences.

At least two medical marijuana advocacy groups filed lawsuits. In general, the suits attacked the state for undermining a voter-approved initiative.

Additionally, the suits also raised problems with central fill itself, arguing that the system would essentially require state employees to break federal law. And this, they said, could severely hamper the effectiveness of the central fill distribution system, thereby making medicine extremely inaccessible.

The critiques leveled against central fill seemed to come true a short time later. In June of this year, attorneys general in at least two counties advised against participating in the central fill system. The attorneys said that if there were ever a federal crackdown, state employees could not be protected by the Utah state government.

Ultimately, lawmakers decided to reverse central fill. And now that a new, dispensary-oriented system has been signed into law authorities hope to be on track to scale up the state’s medical marijuana program. Specifically, lawmakers are aiming to get medical marijuana treatments and products on the market no later than March 2020.