Guam

Guam Residents Vote In Favor of Legalizing Medical Marijuana

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Guam has become the first US territory to legalize medical marijuana, with more than 56 percent of the voters supporting the initiative.

With the approval of the Joaquin Conception II Compassionate Use Act of 2013, the government will now be required to draw up rules and regulations for the dispensing and use of the drug. The initiative was originally faced with legal hurdles, however the self-governing territory’s Supreme Court ultimately pushed it through to the ballot.

“That’s great news, and a positive omen, for marijuana reform efforts across the country,” said Ethan Nadelmann, executive director for the Drug Policy Alliance. “Guam is quite conservative politically, and home to a significant US military presence, so this resounding victory is a confirmation of medical marijuana’s broad support across the political spectrum.”

Under Guam’s measure, a qualified patient can possess an “adequate supply” of marijuana, defined as three months. The Department of Public Health and Social Services would be responsible for quantifying a three-month supply of the drug. Guam’s law will require doctors to certify in writing that marijuana is an appropriate prescription for a patient.

Today, voters across the US will have a chance to accelerate the momentum of legalizing marijuana. Florida residents will vote on legalization of medical marijuana and residents in Alaska, Oregon and Washington, DC will vote on whether to legalize recreational use of marijuana.

Last updated: 11/4/14/3:50pm EST

CBD

ETST Enters Stage 2 Research of its Hemp Oil Enriched with CBD

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On Monday, Earth Science Tech, Inc. announced that it has entered stage II research on the effectiveness of its Hemp Oil Enriched with CBD (Cannabidiol) on Immune cells at the College of Mathematics and Science at the University of Central Oklahoma (OCU) with assistant dean Dr. Wei Chen.

In order to continue to strive to be at the forefront of all natural products to increase overall health and wellness for consumers worldwide, Earth Science Tech (ETST) will continue to research various formulations using all natural products to obtain additional research, testing, studies and claims.

The company previously said that it was very encouraged with the positive preliminary test results on the effects of its Hemp Oil Enriched CBD-Cannabidiol on animal breast cancer cells and normal cells. Results of this preliminary study indicate that with appropriate dose Hemp Oil Enriched with CBD-Cannabidiol can inhibit the proliferation of cancer cells more than that of normal cells. The company said that the experiment’s purpose was to investigate the effects of ETST Hemp Oil Enriched with CBD-Cannabidiol on animal breast cancer cells and on normal cells. If Hemp Oil Enriched with CBD-Cannabidiol has the same effect in vivo, it may help with cancer patients. ETST said that further experiments are needed to investigate the effects on different cells, particularly on immune cells. Therefore, ETST has initiated testing with immune cells.

“Our unique position working within the Enhanced Industrial Hemp Oil with CBD field and relationship with the University has already made significant strides on how the Hemp Oil with CBD works. This is just the beginning. These findings are already leading to a better understanding from ETST and the science of unlocking the benefits of Hemp Oil with CBD as well as its true potential,” said ETST’s CEO Harvey Katz, PhD, regarding the preliminary test results released in October. “Furthermore I wanted to update the market to let our shareholders know that ETST has begun testing with immune cells. We are excited at what the future may bring us and look forward to keeping the market up to date on our test results and findings. We are here to help the industry and people understand all of the benefits that this amazing natural product produces and will continue to let the public see our reports.”

Source: Earth Science Tech, Inc.

Last updated: 11/4/14; 2:55pm EST

 

Marijuana Investments

GW Pharma To Gain from Increasing Liberal Marijuana Policies

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With an increasing trend of states legalizing the use of marijuana, companies developing marijuana-based products and technology have seen their shares soar.

Two years ago, Colorado and Washington State became the first states to legalize marijuana, and with their new laws came many new marijuana companies. Today, Oregon, Alaska and Washington, DC will vote on whether to decriminalize the use of marijuana in hopes of boosting state revenues. Additionally, several states are legalizing the use of marijuana for medical purposes. Today, Florida residents will vote on whether or not to approve Amendment 2, which would legalize medical marijuana for qualifying patients with a debilitating medical condition.

According to a survey conducted by Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration, there are 18.9 million regular marijuana users in the US. This is up from 7.9 million reported in 2007. A recent study showed that the majority of high school seniors favor more liberal marijuana policies.

Voters will determine the fate of many of the recently developed marijuana companies. Marijuana companies’ stocks are a popular topic among investors, with analysts projecting the marijuana industry to be a $21 billion industry by 2020. Deciding which marijuana companies to invest in can be a tough decision, with a multitude entering the market.

Companies focused on marijuana-based drugs, like GW Pharmaceuticals, may be the best route for investors. GW Pharmaceuticals, which went public in 2013, specializes in research, development and commercialization of cannabinoid prescription medicines for a range of therapeutic indications. The company’s product portfolio include Sativex, currently in Phase III studies for treatment of cancer pain, and Epidiolex, which has shown to be effective against severe cases of epilepsy.

In addition to its development for treatment of cancer pain, GW’s Sativex has been approved for the treatment of spasticity due to multiple sclerosis (MS) in 27 countries outside of the US. Epidiolex is currently in ongoing clinical Phase II/III trials as a potential treatment for Dravet syndrome. The company also expects to commence two Phase III clinical trials of Epidiolex in Lennox-Gastaut syndrome in the first quarter of 2015. The FDA has granted Fast Track Designation for Epidiolex for Dravet syndrome as well as Orphan Drug designations from the agency for treatment of Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. The company’s pipeline also includes compounds in Phase I and II clinical development for glioma, ulcerative colitis, type 2 diabetes and schizophrenia.

GW’s product pipeline provides investors with an opportunity to get into the medical marijuana market, without many of the risks associated with penny stocks. The greatest downside risk for GW Pharmaceuticals is if the FDA does not approve one of its products.