Fiona Hutton, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington
Medicinal cannabis products were made legal in New Zealand in 2020. But high costs and widespread reluctance from doctors means many sick people are still accessing cannabis illegally.
While the pandemic was often blamed for 2020-2021’s strong recreational cannabis sales growth, the boost in sales was more likely due to existing trends, added stores and new products.
Growing interest in psychedelics has spurred new research decades after hallucinogenics were tested in Saskatchewan in the 1950s. And an unassuming common fish is proving a useful test subject.
Colorado, Washington, Alaska and Oregon all experienced big increases in both deposits and lending shortly after legalizing marijuana for recreational use.
Cannabis use doubles the risk of a fatal or serious-injury car crash, but some people believe it’s safer than alcohol-impaired driving. Here’s what you need to know about cannabis behind the wheel.
A growing body of research points to the body’s natural cannabinoid system as the primary driver behind the runner’s high – and the mental health boost and stress relief following exercise.
The TGA gave low-dose cannabis sales without prescription the green light in February. But no product has jumped through all the regulatory hoops to market yet.
Daniel Myran, L’Université d’Ottawa/University of Ottawa
The government’s advice to cannabis users is to start low and go slow. Given the potential harms of a rapidly expanding retail market, it should heed its own advice and move slowly on regulatory changes.