Russia and few countries like Canada are at loggerheads over the issue of cannabis and hold conflicting views on drug related legislation. As per the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime’s (UNODC’s) World Drug Report 2019, Russia along with the US and China was one of the three countries that together accounted for 43% of injected drug use globally.
August wasn't a great month for most marijuana stocks. For that matter, neither was May, June, or July. Ups and downs come with the territory with investing in marijuana stocks, though.
But now we're in a new month and there's plenty to keep your eyes on in the ever-changing cannabis industry. Three top marijuana stocks that I think investors should especially watch in September are Aurora Cannabis (NYSE: ACB), HEXO (NYSE: HEXO), and CannTrust Holdings (NYSE: CTST). Here's what to look for with these three pot stocks.
Most of the big Canadian cannabis producers have already reported their latest quarterly results. However, Aurora Cannabis will be late to the party. By Sept. 15, the company is scheduled to provide an update for its quarter ended June 30.
Aurora gave a preview in early August for what investors can expect in its fiscal fourth-quarter results. The company should announce net revenue of between $100 million and $107 million Canadian. The midpoint of that range reflects a 59% jump from Aurora's net revenue in the previous quarter.
Based on comments made by Chief Corporate Officer Cam Battley in the company's fiscal 2019 Q3 conference call, you can also expect that Aurora will report positive adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA). However, the company didn't confirm this in its sneak peek at its fiscal Q4 results, so there could be a negative surprise in store.
Maybe, just maybe, Aurora might also have some big news on the partnership front. The company brought billionaire investor Nelson Peltz on board in March to help line up deals with major partners outside of the cannabis industry. Aurora is behind several of its large peers in landing a partner but hasn't given any hints about the progress of Peltz's efforts yet.
Like Aurora, HEXO isn't on the same timetable for reporting its quarterly results as most Canadian cannabis producers. HEXO announced its fiscal 2019 third-quarter results in mid-June. Although the company hasn't yet set a date for its Q4 results, it seems likely that there will be an update this month.
HEXO should have some good news to report whenever its Q4 update happens. CEO Sebastien St.-Louis has predicted the company would double its revenue in the fourth quarter from the Q3 amount. The key to achieving that goal is HEXO's increased packaging capacity.
While HEXO isn't likely to be profitable in Q4 barring a boost from special items, there could be some confirmation that the company is on the right track. St.-Louis expects his company to achieve profitability in 2020, although he left some wiggle room by also stating that HEXO's investments in research and development could impact its bottom line.
HEXO already has a big partner, Molson Coors Brewing. But the company could shed more light on its discussions with a large number of Fortune 500 companies about potential partnership deals. HEXO anticipates adding at least one other major partner in 2020.
CannTrust can't be accurately described as a top marijuana stock after its horrible fall in recent months. But the company is certainly a top marijuana stock to watch in September, if for no other reason than to find out if there are any other skeletons in its closet.
After starting 2019 with a bang, CannTrust imploded following revelations that it had sold cannabis that was cultivated in unlicensed grow rooms. The company's former CEO, Peter Aceto, was unceremoniously booted out as a result of the scandal.
The latest bad news for CannTrust came on Aug. 19. The Ontario Cannabis Store notified CannTrust that it was returning around CA$2.9 million worth of adult-use recreational cannabis that was cultivated in grow rooms that weren't licensed at the time by Health Canada.
It's possible that CannTrust could report its results for the quarter ending June 30 but don't hold your breath. The company already missed its Aug. 14 deadline. Perhaps the most anticipated update from CannTrust is related to its board's special committee that is reviewing strategic alternatives, including a potential sale of the company. There's no timeline for the special committee's report, however.
Former New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark has urged Kiwis to vote in favour of recreational cannabis being legalized at next year’s referendum.
She recently set up a think tank called The Helen Clark Foundation and it has just issued a report called “The Case for YES”. It recommends expunging minor cannabis convictions and ushering in a legal market that can regulate marijuana in a responsible fashion.
“Isn’t this [the current approach] a waste of the justice system’s time and money?” she said. “Haven’t the police got better things to do? Aren’t we better to face the reality that 80% of Kiwis are going to try this at some point in their lives?”
Clark was the 37th Prime Minister of New Zealand and she led the country from 1999 to 2008. Had she been given a fourth term in office, she claims she would have sought to legalize recreational cannabis use.
Her administration did not advance cannabis policy in any significant way, but the current government has decided to ballot the people on whether adult-use cannabis should be permitted. Kiwis will vote in a general election next year and they will also be able to vote on whether or not recreational cannabis should be legalized on the same ballot.
New Zealand has one of the highest cannabis consumption levels in the world, according to the World Drug Report. It legalized medical cannabis use in 2017 and an industry is starting to take shape.
The Helen Clark Foundation believes New Zealand should follow in the footsteps on Uruguay, Canada and various U.S. states by ushering in a more mature attitude towards cannabis use.
It claims that a “yes” vote in 2020 would advance public health objectives and promote greater social equity. It adds that prohibition does not work, it cannot eradicate consumption, it is a waste of police time and it disproportionately punishes the Māori community.
Clark wants to see New Zealand treat cannabis use as a social and public health issue rather than a criminal one. She insists that decriminalizing it is not enough, and that New Zealand should study developments in Uruguay and North America before ushering in a commercial, regulated industry.
She also wants to see individuals and communities that were most affected by prohibition to benefit from any changes to the law, allowing them a fair chance to become retailers and producers. Clark warned that large, profit-driven cannabis conglomerates should not be able to dominate New Zealand’s cultivation and retail trades.
Cannabis topicals are having a moment. From A-list celebrities using Lord Jones balms to soothe aching feet at the Golden Globes to professional athletes debuting their own line of muscle rub, transdermal products infused with cannabinoids seem to be everywhere.
But it isn’t just millennials and the Hollywood elite jumping on the bandwagon. An increasing number of senior citizens are also turning to topicals, often desperate to alleviate a painful and often debilitating condition that affects nearly 54 million American adults: arthritis.
The disease, which causes aches, swelling and stiffness in the joints and muscles, is typically treated with a combination of medications including steroids and opiates, which may have dramatic side effects. However, cannabis is becoming a popular and viable alternative. Infused creams and lotions work when the products’ cannabinoids bind to the network of cannabinoid receptors called CB2 receptors on the skin, without needing to enter the bloodstream. This means people using topicals infused with psychoactive cannabinoids such as THC will not feel a cerebral effect — only localized relief. Transdermal patches, however, do allow the cannabinoids to enter the bloodstream and travel to receptors in the brain, but because the release is so slow, it’s also unlikely to impart a high feeling.
While research on the efficacy of topicals is limited, there have been some promising results. A 2015 study published in the European Journal of Pain found that, when applied transdermally to rats with arthritic joints, the cannabinoid CBD (cannabidiol) offered relief. Another study conducted in 2017 on rats with osteoarthritis (the most common type of arthritis, wherein bone cartilage breaks down over time) concluded CBD prevents pain and nerve damage. In fact, scientists are also exploring evidence that concludes CB2 receptors themselves may be responsible for regulating inflammation — one of the main issues arthritis causes.
The science is still early, but according to Radicle Health founder and nurse Eloise Theisen, CBD topicals appear to help with inflammation and itchiness, but people should try a THC topical — or a combination of THC and CBD — if they’re not finding relief from a CBD-only product.
Since the average senior citizen in the United States takes around five prescription medications daily, concerns about interactions between drugs, side effects and potentials for abuse have many seeking another way.
And since those who might be averse to getting high from smoking or eating cannabis are often not intimidated by using a non-psychoactive cannabis balm, topicals offer a way to discover the healing properties of cannabis while eliminating the fear of Grandma and Grandpa getting too buzzed.
Karen Rumics Averill is a 63-year-old business owner from Oregon who began making her own cannabis-infused topicals a few years ago to help her husband. He was suffering from a severe type of arthritis called ankylosing spondylitis, also known as “curved back syndrome.”
“He was initially put on Enbrel, which is an injection, and he was actually receiving twice the dose that is normally required,” Averill said. “Then, [the doctors] put him on Oxycontin and Vicodin and then all of a sudden one day, at two in the morning, we’re rushing him to the emergency room for a bleeding ulcer and they had to remove him from all of those drugs.”
She believes the drugs her husband had been prescribed were actually making his condition worse.
“Once he went off of [pharmaceuticals], he became more mobile, more active. He wasn’t comatose on the couch because he was over-medicated.”
Averill began experimenting, utilizing byproducts from top-shelf indica strains to infuse in coconut oil, creating a THC-infused topical.
“Actually, my 94-year-old aunt is now using it for her arthritis. She called me yesterday and said it works great!” Averill said.
For many within the cannabis industry, one of the biggest challenges is getting accurate information to the general public — without being overwhelming or unconvincing. After getting phone call after phone call from seniors asking about their transdermal product, the team at NanoSphere Health Sciences decided they needed to focus not on getting their products to seniors, but on bringing the seniors to them.
“A lot of times, the way that a senior gets our product is because a niece or nephew, granddaughter, son or daughter has gone in, bought them the product and then told them that they need to use it, versus them actually going into the dispensary and purchasing the product themselves,” said Crystal Colwell, marketing director for NanoSphere.
So the company decided to partner with several dispensaries in their home state of Colorado, offering residents of nearby assisted living facilities and 55-plus communities round-trip bus rides to their locations in order to educate them on the many useful applications of cannabis. They also work with the non-profit group Realm of Caring in order to further their outreach towards the senior citizen demographic. Colwell says the feedback has been remarkable.
“We had one woman who had such severe arthritis in her hands that she was unable to open her hands all the way,” Colwell said. “One of her most favorite things to do is to write letters and handwritten notes. She started using NanoSerum on her hands and she was using it once a day for a month and after the first month she was able to open her hand and hold a pen or a pencil in her hand again. Within a two-month time span, she was actually able to write handwritten notes again.”
Colwell adds that while it will take time to dismantle all the misinformation about marijuana and the ways it can be consumed, topicals offer a non-threatening introduction to a medicine that could make all the difference.
“A lot of misconceptions that senior citizens have is that the only time you can get relief from cannabis is if you smoke it or you ingest as an edible,” she said. “Once they learn that there are alternative applications, that’s when they become intrigued and it gets their mind going.”
August was a dismal month for most marijuana stocks. More than half a dozen pot stocks with market caps greater than $200 million plunged 20% or more during the last month. Several others fell by double-digit percentages.
But there were a few exceptions to the August carnage. Three marijuana stocks performed really well last month: 22nd Century Group (NYSEMKT:XXII), Aphria (NYSE:APHA), and The Green Organic Dutchman (OTC:TGODF). Here's what drove these pot stocks higher and whether or not they're good picks to buy now.
22nd Century Group primarily focuses on lowering nicotine levels in tobacco plants. However, the company's hemp and cannabis research land it a place among marijuana stocks. And its stock skyrocketed 46% higher in August, making 22nd Century Group the biggest cannabis winner for the month.
The company reported two major developments over the last four weeks. On Aug. 5, 22nd Century Group named Cliff Fleet as its new CEO. Fleet previously served as president and CEO of Altria subsidiary Philip Morris USA from 2013 to 2017. He's also been a strategic advisor with 22nd Century Group since December 2018. Hiring a veteran of the tobacco industry was a good move for the small plant biotechnology company.
22nd Century Group also announced its second-quarter financial results after the market closed on Aug. 7 and held its quarterly conference call the following day. Those Q2 results were ugly, with the company's revenue falling 16% year over year and its bottom line deteriorating. However, Fleet stated that 22nd Century Group was pivoting to focus more on the hemp and cannabis markets, a move that was cheered by investors.
Aphria's shares soared 21% in August. There's no question about the catalyst for the stock: Aphria reported great fiscal 2019 fourth-quarter results to start off the month.
The biggest news for Aphria was its surprise profit of 15.8 million Canadian dollars. Unlike some cases where Canadian cannabis producers announce a profit, Aphria didn't need a one-time adjustment or special item to operate in the black. However, the company did get a huge boost from the acquisition earlier this year of German medical cannabis and pharmaceutical distributor CC Pharma.
Aphria also announced on Aug. 23 that it had filed a preliminary short form base shelf prospectus with all Canadian provinces except Quebec and a corresponding shelf registration statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). These filings met one of Aphria's contractual obligations associated with its April issuance of convertible senior notes. The company also said that the filings provide it with "the flexibility to allow an institutional investor or a strategic partner to invest in its business."
The Green Organic Dutchman's shares jumped 16% higher last month. Two positive developments lit a fire beneath this pot stock.
First, TGOD, as The Green Organic Dutchman is also known, announced on Aug. 7 that it had filed to list its shares on the Nasdaq stock exchange. This move should increase the company's visibility with U.S. investors. Several other Canadian cannabis stocks have enjoyed bumps after listing on major U.S. stock exchanges.
TGOD also reported its second-quarter results on Aug. 13. The company posted 20% quarter-over-quarter revenue growth. More importantly, TGOD stated that the construction at its Hamilton facility and phase 1 construction at its Valleyfield, Quebec, location was nearly complete. These efforts should significantly increase TGOD's production capacity.
I think 22nd Century Group's hiring of Cliff Fleet and its greater focus on the hemp/cannabis opportunity are positive developments. However, it's too early to know how well the company will perform. My view is to stay on the sidelines with the stock at this point.
The Green Organic Dutchman appears to be in better shape than it's been in a while. I like TGOD's move to list its shares on Nasdaq. I also expect its sales to soar over the next year with the company's higher production capacity. What I'd prefer to see before jumping aboard the TGOD train, though, is a clear path to profitability.
That leaves Aphria, which is already profitable. I like the steady hand that Chairman and interim CEO Irwin Simon has provided Aphria. I also think the company's prospects of landing a big partner outside the cannabis industry look pretty good. Investing in marijuana stocks continues to be a volatile proposition, but my view is that Aphria's long-term future is bright. Of the three top pot stocks in August, I think that Aphria is the best pick.
A growing number of professionals and pet owners are becoming curious about how CBD can benefit our furry friends, but how do we know if they’re right for our own pets?
This past year you’ve probably noticed an uptick in CBD products for pets being sold everywhere from high-end smoke shops to gas stations. Forecasts predict this trend to continue into 2019. While there are still questions about the safety and efficacy of these products, a growing number of professionals and pet owners are becoming curious about how CBD can benefit our furry friends.
The CBD-packed treats and oils marketed for pets make claims of reducing pain, anxiety, and more, but how do we know if they’re right for our own pet? Luckily, scientists are finally doing more research on the relationship between CBD and pets with a variety of issues. A 2018 study published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science showed that CBD oil increased comfort and activity in the home environment for dogs with osteoarthritis. In fact, 80 percent of the dogs in the study saw significant decrease in pain and improved mobility.
Evidence sourced by word of mouth is also spreading throughout the pet community. I have several regulars at the smoke shop I manage who swear by the pet CBD products we carry and recommend them to their friends and family. Customers have raved about how much it helped their pet with severe separation anxiety or even reduced seizures in their pet with epilepsy. I purchased CBD tincture for my own beloved cat when she developed terminal cancer, and my mom believes it kept her out of pain and extended her life by several months.
For many pet parents who have tried everything help their sick or anxious cat or dog, CBD might be the answer. It’s important to note that the CBD products I’m discussing here contain little to no THC. The use of THC for pets is often frowned upon by veterinarians who have witnessed the effects of improper dosing which can cause toxicity in small fur babies. CBD poses none of the same risks for overdose because it’s non-psychoactive and non-toxic, making it generally safe for pet owners to dose their own pets. In fact, CBD is often praised as being better tolerated than many prescription medicines you may get from your vet or pet center.
Pet owners should, however, do research on the hemp products they choose for their pets.
Some companies have no quality control and wildly varying concentrations of CBD, including absolutely none at all. When searching for hemp products for your pet, be sure to check if it’s third party lab tested and that there are instructions for dosage based on your pet’s weight. If a brand has no ingredients listed and no reviews online, it probably isn’t the safest choice. It’s best to choose CBD that is organic and free from pesticides and not to go for the cheap stuff, as the higher the quality and purity the higher the cost will be.
With proper research and high-quality CBD products, you could vastly improve the quality of your pet’s life, and any pet-lover knows that’s worth a try.
Some weed smokers are thankful for great deals at their local dispensaries, while others prefer more extravagant strains.
Medium quality marijuana costs about $224 per ounce.
But high-quality weed carries a hefty price tag. And just like with any other item, some types of weed are more expensive than others.
As we all know, cannabis is an agricultural product, so its price fluctuates over time. And the fact that a particular type of weed is the most expensive today does not mean it’ll hold the title tomorrow.
Before we dive into the prices, we should first explain what factors into the price of weed.
Your location might be the most important factor determining the price of cannabis. It’s not so much about your coordinates, as it is about whether your state legalized it or not.
For example, since legalization, Canada has been witnessing a growing gap between legal and illegal weed prices, with legal weed now being as much as 80% higher than illegal weed.
Another thing about geography is the climate. You might ask what it has to do with you, but most weed is grown in ideal growing locations where the temperature ranges between 75° F and 86° F.
If your weed is grown outside this range, you may find your next joint under par as the THC level and strain quality may vary in less-than-ideal conditions.
Another aspect of location, is distance. If you live far away from the production areas, transportation costs will also be included in the price.
As you can see, your location is a major factor in the price you pay.
Depending on your whereabouts, there are two options: buying at a dispensary or your friendly neighborhood dealer. Registered stores may not be cheaper, but they are a much better option.
They have to follow strict guidelines, so you’ll always know what you’re getting.
If you know a guy who knows a guy who has great s***, that might not be the best option, as you can never be sure what exactly you’re buying.
On one hand, you may end up with the world’s most expensive bag of oregano, or, in the worst-case scenario, even something that is potentially deadly. Don’t buy a pig in a poke!
Local competition is also one of the key factors in the price of cannabis. If there are multiple dispensaries in your neighborhood, chances are the prices will be cheaper and they’ll offer more deals.
And if you’re less fortunate and dispensaries are scarce, sellers will probably charge more for their products.
If ganja is legal where you live, the prices will contain some sort of taxes and/or fees. Excise taxes for a gram of dried flower or cannabis oil in Canada are about $1; 75 cents for the province and 25 cents for the federal government. That adds up to roughly 10% of the total price.
(And that’s nothing compared to the 60% that cannabis users are paying in California!)
The Budget Plan released in March 2019 included a section on rules on cannabis taxation. The government plan is to determine the federal tax based on THC content in the final product. This applies to edible cannabis, cannabis extracts, and topicals.
One of the major price factors is quality. But how is it determined?
Well, it depends on several factors. The most important factor that determines the quality for consumers is potency: CBD or THC content. Users also look at the density, color, and the number of trichomes in the weed.
If you’ve noticed some fluctuations in pricing week over week, it could be due to quality.
We did some research to find the top 5 most expensive marijuana strains in the world today. But before we reveal them, we’re going to say a thing or two about “strains”.
If you’ve ever been to a dispensary, you know the word “strain” comes up a lot.
Marijuana strains can be either pure or hybrid. They include three types of cannabis: Sativa, Indica, and Ruderalis.
Breeders combine different strains to enhance their specific features. These are called hybrids.
Indica strains provide a physical, relaxing effect. These strains can be used for relieving pain, muscle tension, and to increase rest.
Sativa strains have more of a cerebral effect. They impact your emotions and are believed to increase your focus and energy levels.
Ruderalis produces very small amounts of THC and is therefore not commonly grown.
Hybrid, as you’ve already guessed, combines the two most common types. If you don’t fit into Indica or Sativa group, you can find a hybrid that provides the effect you need.
Now that we covered the basics, we can move on to the most exciting part: the most expensive weed in the world.
J1 or otherwise known as Jack One is a popular top-shelf strain. This sativa-dominant hybrid is a cross between Jack Herer and Skunk #1, and has a mild citrusy and earthy tone.
This strain leaves you feeling happy and euphoric while providing energy and focus. You will be ready to take on any challenge.
THC content ranges from 18 to 23%, which makes it a perfect choice for experienced smokers.
J1’s flowers are emerald green and heavily frosted. When fully grown, it is medium to tall, with large orange pistils around flowers.
As far as the price goes, J1 is the “cheapest” of the most expensive kinds of weed available and it comes in at about $350 per ounce.
Isla OG is an indica-dominant strain with THC content ranging from 22% to 27%. It became popular after rapper 2 Chainz rolled it in 24K-gold rolling paper and smoked it during an episode of his web series, Most Expensive Shit.
It comes packed in an air-sealed aluminum can. Dominant aromas are citrus, pine and tropical.
Unfortunately, not much is known about this strain. The manufacturers claim that, as soon as it is trimmed, it goes directly to the cans to cure. And although the packaging is luxurious, cannabis should be kept in cool conditions – metal conducts heat, which makes it inadequate for this purpose.
Isla OG buds are medium-sized and have a spade-like shape.
The price you need to pay for an ounce of Isla OG Canned Cannabis goes up to $800. You’ll need to add a bit of extra cash for the gold rolling paper.
Loud Dream is an indica-dominant strain created by backcrossing Blue Dream F1 with itself.
Although the name suggests it sends people to sleep, its effects are cerebral and users can expect a balanced high from this strain.
THC levels in Loud Dream haven’t been officially tested, but most manufacturers note that they range from 14% to 16%. Even though the THC level is above average, it doesn’t cause psychoactive effects, which makes it popular among users.
Loud Dream, which is of California origin, has thick and dense buds common to indica plants. It is a really sticky plant with a sweet aroma.
Loud Dream stands proudly in the middle of our list, coming at a cost of $800 per ounce.
The Fruity Pebbles strain has a sweet, tropical scent and leaves a fruity aftertaste. It was named after the popular cereal.
True genetics of this particular strain are unknown, but some of the parent strains include Green Ribbon, Grand Daddy Purple, and Tahoe Alien.
The fact that this strain is not widely available raises its price. It is a highly potent strain with a reported THC percentage of 22%. Fruity Pebbles fans claim it provides relaxation throughout your body with some psychedelic effects.
Fruity Pebbles plants can grow to great heights with a heavy yield of flowers. Its distinctive colors include all shades of green, red, brown, and even purple.
If you like what you’ve read, you’ll have to pay top dollar since an ounce of this colorful pleasure ranges between $1,000 and $1,500.
Cannabis Caviar (a.k.a. Moon Rocks, Caviar Gold or Weed Caviar) is actually a concept: high-quality marijuana buds dipped in hash oil and rolled in a layer of kief. The process increases THC content to a staggering 91%.
Novice users are advised to be cautious when using these products. The more experienced smokers claim it is strong as hell.
This is possible by combining high-quality components: top-shelf weed, potent kief, and hash oil.
Some of the strains used in the process are:
Caviar weed is mostly sold in dispensaries in North America, but it can be found in some coffee shops as well.
Cannabis Caviar takes top spot. The price of $1,400 per ounce is exorbitant, to say the least.
As we’ve already mentioned, there are many factors that determine the final price of a cannabis strain. Sometimes it can be all about good marketing.
Certain strains have a history of endorsements, which adds to their price, while some are really hard to find and others are grown in special conditions.
Organic production is also popular among marijuana manufacturers. Strains grown under organic conditions usually cost more.
Legal weed market is constantly evolving. Once a banned substance, it has become almost a widely available product.
So, how much are you willing to spend on high-quality pot? Let us know in the comments!
Existing research suggests that the effects of cannabis on sleep may depend on many factors, including individual differences, cannabis concentrations and frequency of use.
If you speak to someone who has suffered from insomnia at all as an adult, chances are good that person has either tried using marijuana, or cannabis, for sleep or has thought about it.
This is reflected in the many variations of cannabinoid or cannabis-based medicines available to improve sleep – like Nabilone, Dronabinol and Marinol. It’s also a common reason why many cannabis users seek medical marijuana cards.
I am a sleep psychologist who has treated hundreds of patients with insomnia, and it seems to me the success of cannabis as a sleep aid is highly individual. What makes cannabis effective for one person’s sleep and not another?
While there are still many questions to be answered, existing research suggests that the effects of cannabis on sleep may depend on many factors, including individual differences, cannabis concentrations and frequency of use.
Access to cannabis is increasing. As of last November, 28 U.S. states and the District of Columbia had legalized cannabis for medicinal purposes.
Research on the effects of cannabis on sleep in humans has largely been compiled of somewhat inconsistent studies conducted in the 1970s. Researchers seeking to learn how cannabis affects the sleeping brain have studied volunteers in the sleep laboratory and measured sleep stages and sleep continuity. Some studies showed that users’ ability to fall and stay asleep improved. A small number of subjects also had a slight increase in slow wave sleep, the deepest stage of sleep.
However, once nightly cannabis use stops, sleep clearly worsens across the withdrawal period.
Over the past decade, research has focused more on the use of cannabis for medical purposes. Individuals with insomnia tend to use medical cannabis for sleep at a high rate. Up to 65 percent of former cannabis users identified poor sleep as a reason for relapsing. Use for sleep is particularly common in individuals with PTSD and pain.
This research suggests that, while motivation to use cannabis for sleep is high, and might initially be beneficial to sleep, these improvements might wane with chronic use over time.
We were interested in how sleep quality differs between daily cannabis users, occasional users who smoked at least once in the last month and people who don’t smoke at all.
We asked 98 mostly young and healthy male volunteers to answer surveys, keep daily sleep diaries and wear accelerometers for one week. Accelerometers, or actigraphs, measure activity patterns across multiple days. Throughout the study, subjects used cannabis as they typically would.
Our results show that the frequency of use seems to be an important factor as it relates to the effects on sleep. Thirty-nine percent of daily users complained of clinically significant insomnia. Meanwhile, only 10 percent of occasional users had insomnia complaints. There were no differences in sleep complaints between nonusers and non-daily users.
Interestingly, when controlling for the presence of anxiety and depression, the differences disappeared. This suggests that cannabis’s effect on sleep may differ depending on whether you have depression or anxiety. In order words, if you have depression, cannabis may help you sleep – but if you don’t, cannabis may hurt.
Cannabis is still a schedule I substance, meaning that the government does not consider cannabis to be medically therapeutic due to lack of research to support its benefits. This creates a barrier to research, as only one university in the country, University of Mississippi, is permitted by the National Institute of Drug Abuse to grow marijuana for research.
New areas for exploration in the field of cannabis research might examine how various cannabis subspecies influence sleep and how this may differ between individuals.
One research group has been exploring cannabis types or cannabinoid concentrations that are preferable depending on one’s sleep disturbance. For example, one strain might relieve insomnia, while another can affect nightmares.
Other studies suggest that medical cannabis users with insomnia tend to prefer higher concentrations of cannabidiol, a non-intoxicating ingredient in cannabis.
This raises an important question. Should the medical community communicate these findings to patients with insomnia who inquire about medical cannabis? Some health professionals may not feel comfortable due to the fluctuating legal status, a lack of confidence in the state of the science or their personal opinions.
At this point, cannabis’s effect on sleep seems highly variable, depending on the person, the timing of use, the cannabis type and concentration, mode of ingestion and other factors. Perhaps the future will yield more fruitful discoveries.
