The significant outcome follows three years of investigations by cancer researcher Dr Matt Dun in collaboration with biotech company Australian Natural Therapeutics Group (ANTG) to prove medicinal cannabis kills cancer cells. This produces a cannabis variety containing less than 1 per cent THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) – the psychoactive component commonly associated with marijuana. The plant, known as ‘Eve’, has high levels of the compound cannabidiol (CBD).

“ANTG wanted me to test it against cancer, so we initially used leukaemia cells and were really surprised by how sensitive they were,” Dr Dun says. “At the same time, the medicinal cannabis didn’t kill normal bone marrow cells, nor normal healthy neutrophils [white blood cells].

“We then realised there was a cancer-selective mechanism involved, and we’ve spent the past couple of years trying to find the answer.”

To show medicinal cannabis kills cancer cells, the Dun team has run comparisons between THC-containing cannabis, and cannabis lacking THC but with elevated levels of CBD. They found that, for both leukaemia and paediatric brainstem glioma, the CBD-enriched variety was more effective at killing cancer cells than THC varieties.

In a recent paper entitled “Can Hemp Help?”, released by international journal Cancers, Dr Dun and his team also undertook a literature review of over 150 academic papers that investigated the health benefits, side-effects, and possible anti-cancer benefits of both CBD and THC to show medicinal cannabis kills cancer cells.

“There are trials around the world testing medicinal cannabis formulations containing THC as a cancer treatment, but if you’re on that therapy your quality of life is impacted,” Dr Dun says. “You can’t drive, for example, and clinicians are justifiably reluctant to prescribe a child something that could cause hallucinations or other side-effects.

“The CBD variety looks to have greater efficacy, low toxicity and fewer side-effects, which potentially makes it an ideal complementary therapy to combine with other anti-cancer compounds.” Does medicinal cannabis kill cancer cells?

The next phase for the study includes investigating what makes cancer cells sensitive and normal cells not, whether it is clinically relevant, and whether a variety of cancers respond and whether they are affected by medicinal cannabis.

“We need to understand the mechanism so we can find ways to add other drugs that amplify the effect, and week by week we’re getting more clues. It’s really exciting and important if we want to move this into a therapeutic,” Dr Dun adds, stressing that CBD-enriched medicinal cannabis isn’t yet ready for clinical use as an anti-cancer agent.

“Hopefully our work will help to lessen the stigma behind prescribing medicinal cannabis, particularly varieties that have minimal side-effects, especially if used in combination with current standard-of-care therapies and radiotherapy. Until then, though, people should continue to seek advice from their usual medical practitioner.”

The study with Medicinal Cannabis was funded by ANTG and HMRI through the Sandi Rose Foundation.

“We are very pleased to see three years of collaboration with UON and HMRI deliver such exciting findings in the fight against cancer. ANTG remains committed to its patient-centric mission of understanding the massive therapeutic potential of medicinal cannabis,” Matthew Cantelo, CEO, Australian Natural Therapeutics Group, said.

“We thank Matt Dun and the team for such encouraging insights into anti-cancer properties of our Australian grown CBD strain, Eve. We are looking forward to moving forward to the next stage of the study and continuing to develop effective, safe and consistent cannabis medicines for Australian patients.”

* Dr Matt Dun is from the University of Newcastle, researching in conjunction with the Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI) Cancer Program. HMRI is a partnership between the University of Newcastle, Hunter New England Health and the community.

While if you don’t inhabit such an enlightened area, rumor has it there are still ways and means to get your fix without touching fiat. Here are five options to legally buy weed with bitcoins.

How to Swap Sats for Sativa

Bitcoins and weed go all the way back to the Silk Road in 2011, and the duo remain staples of the darknet. The weed world has come a long way since then, however, with scores of U.S. states legalizing recreational use of marijuana starting with Colorado and Washington in 2012 it is now possible to buy weed with bitcoins.

Today, medical marijuana is legal in 29 U.S. states and it’s recreationally legal in nine. Around the world, 30 countries have legalized medical marijuana, while there are four countries where it is recreationally legal (Canada, South Africa, Uruguay, and Georgia) subject to certain conditions, and dozens more where it is decriminalized.

Unless you reside in Asia, you’re probably not far from a country where it’s legal to blaze up, buy weed with bitcoins and are almost certainly near a locale where the authorities have no interest in what you do in your own home, provided you’re not bothering anyone.

Failing that, you can at least benefit from the non-psychoactive part of the marijuana plant, by legally purchasing CBD products such as coffee with bitcoin. However, with a number of vendors willing to ship weed directly to your door, it’s possible to swap sats for sativa without leaving the house. Here are five ways to buy weed with bitcoins.

Visit a Physical Dispensary To Buy Weed With Bitcoins

There are medical marijuana dispensaries dotted all over the U.S. and Canada, while the Netherlands is home to an array of coffee shops that serve the same purpose, where you can buy weed with bitcoins with a handful of other European nations following suit.

Bitcoin acceptance is very much piecemeal, but if you can find a store that will let you spend sats, you’ll be hooked up for as long as you’re in the neighborhood. At Canna 420 Store dispensary in Colorado, you can buy weed with bitcoins and last year was the setting for the first crypto purchase of marijuana by an elected official. A few other dispensaries along America’s West Coast, including Seattle, are also known to accept bitcoin.

Visit an Online Marijuana Dispensary to Buy Weed With Bitcoins

If you’re fortunate enough to live in a region where weed is legal, you should be able to find an online store that will ship to you. Naturally you’ll need to pass verification checks, which include proving your residence, but once approved, you’re free to order all manner of THC-laced goods, from edibles to smokables.

Canadians can get hooked up by My Weed Center where you can buy weed with bitcoins. Current deals include an ounce of Cheese for $170 – that’s 40% off – or a half ounce of Violator Kush for CA$87. The store also sells extremely potent shatter hash.

Visit a Seed Bank to Buy Weed With Bitcoins

If you’re choking for a smoke, this option isn’t for you. Bitcoiners in less of a hurry, however, may like the idea of ordering cannabis seeds by mail, bought with BTC. Dutch company Royal Queen Seeds accepts bitcoin and ships globally. The highly rated store stocks a wide range of autoflowering, feminized, and CBD seeds as well as CBD oil.

Choose from such strains as Northern Light Automatic, Quick One, and perennial favorite Amnesia Haze. Bitcoin holders are known for their low time preference. If you can wait 12 weeks, while lovingly tending your crops, you’ll take receipt of some of the finest cannabis known to man.

Other online seed stores that accept bitcoin include U.K-based Attitude Seedbank and Seedsman, which promises offers such as three feminized white widow seeds free when you spend €30. You can safely buy weed with bitcoins from these stores.

Visit the Darknet To Buy Weed With Bitcoins

Technically speaking, none of the darknet vendors selling weed are licensed to do so. Technically speaking, that’s not your problem. If it’s legal to consume weed where you live, who are you to police the sellers and worry about whether their paperwork’s correct and tax is filed?

Leave that to the cyber cops. If you can access the darknet, you can find your way to a store that’s stocked with everything you need to make it through long weekends, quarantine, and extended house arrest and just buy weed with bitcoins online and chill.

SACRAMENTO —  

In designating California pot dispensaries as essential under the state’s COVID-19 stay-at-home order, the administration of Gov. Gavin Newsom has argued that the health benefits of keeping pot shops open outweigh the risks — even as opponents of the policy call it reckless.

Critics say it doesn’t make sense to allow people to congregate at cannabis stores, increasing the chance of infection, so they can buy products that are smoked at a time when the virus is attacking respiratory systems.

Other states have restricted sales to those for medical needs or to deliveries, seeking to limit cannabis store crowds at a time when residents are being told to stay in their homes and practice social distancing.

But in his March 19 statewide order shuttering most businesses and directing residents to remain at home, Newsom exempted those deemed by the state public health officer to be “Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers,” who “protect health and well-being of all Californians.” They were also discouraged from visiting california pot dispensaries.

In accordance with Newsom’s order, the health officer issued a list of essential employees who can stay on the job including those in grocery stores, welfare offices, power plants, hospitals, pharmacies and cannabis retailers including the california pot dispensaries.

Newsom was the leading proponent of Proposition 64, the 2016 ballot measure that legalized the sale of cannabis for recreational use in California. His administration is making the same argument he made four years ago as lieutenant governor in supporting the recommendation of the state health officer to keep marijuana stores open and also california pot dispensaries.
“Access to legal, regulated and safe cannabis is essential, especially for California residents who rely on cannabis as their medicine,” said Nicole Elliott, the governor’s senior advisor on cannabis.

Opponents of Proposition 64, including Kevin Sabet, head of the group Smart Approaches to Marijuana, said there are health risks in smoking cannabis, while pills and other medicines made from cannabis are available elsewhere for medical patients.

“Given the choice of marijuana-based FDA drugs available at pharmacies, deeming pot shops ‘essential’ makes no more sense than allowing tobacco stores,” Sabet said.

The state’s decision to allow stores to stay open was a welcome reprieve for California pot dispensaries, which has been struggling to compete with the black market. Licensed growers and sellers say they have been hurt by high taxes, strict regulation and the refusal of most cities in the state to allow pot shops.

The state has 1,100 licensed retail stores and home delivery firms and many have seen a surge in sales since the COVID-19 outbreak began. During the nine-day period ending March 21, average daily sales were up 40% compared to the first two and a half months of the year, according to BDS Analytics, a firm that tracks cannabis transactions. Home deliveries are also up significantly.

The rush of buyers ranges from “people with chronic medical needs including pain, to people who just need to relax in a time of great anxiety,” said Roy Bingham, co-founder and CEO of the company.NewsletterGet our free Coronavirus Today newsletter

He said his firm found that uncertainty over the future availability of cannabis also had people buying 25% more than they typically do to stock up. All these, they do get from California pot dispensaries to satisfy their needs.

Anxiety over future access to cannabis has been spurred by reports of tougher rules in other states. Massachusetts has banned sales for recreational use, limiting stores to providing medical marijuana, while Nevada is only allowing deliveries, barring in-person sales. Michigan sales must be done curbside or by delivery.

California’s order leaves room for cities and counties to adopt tougher standards that could require the closure of pot shops, some in the industry worry.
Advocacy groups including the Cannabis Consumer Policy Council are urging other cities and counties to follow the lead of Los Angeles, San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley and others in adopting local rules to keep california pot dispensaries open.

“This is not the time to put patients or consumers at risk,” said Nate Bradley, executive director of the policy council that comprises cannabis advocates, veterans, labor leaders and business owners.

“The pandemic increases symptoms of anxiety and PTSD in our veteran population and many patients have suppressed immune systems,” Bradley added. “Forcing them into the illicit market only further puts them at risk and further burdens public safety resources.”

Assemblyman Rob Bonta (D-Alameda) said while many cannabis businesses especially the california pot dispensaries have seen sales increase, others are struggling. One retailer in his district decided to temporarily shut its doors to protect workers and customers with immunodeficiency issues, Bonta said.

CALIFORNIAA visual look at the coronavirus pandemicMarch 27, 2020

The state Bureau of Cannabis Control said retailers that continue to stay open “must adopt social distancing and anti-congregating measures,” and are required to comply with the Center for Disease Control guidelines for cleaning and disinfection of public areas.

In response, many california pot dispensaries, including the Higher Path in Sherman Oaks, are offering curbside service, allowing people to order cannabis online and text the business when they arrive to have the product brought out to their car.

“I’m trying to limit the amount of personal interaction of my employees with any member of the public,” said Jerred Kiloh, owner of the store. He had to get special permission from the state bureau to waive the requirement that stores conduct sales transactions in a secure indoor area.

On one recent day, Kiloh said there were 15 cars outside his store whose drivers were provided with cannabis products they had ordered, in addition to customers who went inside the store for their orders.

Still, the potential for transmission of the virus between customers and employees at california pot dispensaries is cited by some who say the state is making a mistake in allowing pot shops to remain open when bars and nightclubs have been ordered shut.

“Allowing workers to congregate to distribute this damaging and dangerous drug in the presence of this pandemic cannot be justified in the least,” said Scott Chipman, a Southern California resident who is vice president of Americans Against Legalizing Marijuana, noting that people face special risk from COVID-19 if their immune systems are impaired or they have lung or respiratory problems.

Dale Gieringer, director of the legalization group CAL NORML, called Chipman’s claims “unsubstantiated by a group that likes to blame marijuana for everything.”

Gieringer, who has written on cannabis health issues, said studies have shown chronic cannabis smoking, like all smoking, can raise the risk of respiratory infections, which are a factor in COVID-19 susceptibility. But he said that is not true of edible cannabis.

“On the other hand, it could be argued that cannabis has demonstrated beneficial anti-inflammatory effects in treating auto-immune diseases like [multiple sclerosis], rheumatoid arthritis, endometriosis, etc., in which the body is damaged by its own immune response,” Gieringer said.

While more medical research is needed on the health impacts of cannabis, some studies have raised concerns about cannabis use negatively impacting the immune system, said Dr. Donald Tashkin, a UCLA professor and director of the university’s Pulmonary Function Laboratories.

Tashkin co-authored a 2014 study published in the Journal of Clinical Pharmacology that found habitual smoking of marijuana has “a number of effects on the respiratory and immune systems.” They include “an increased prevalence of acute and chronic bronchitis” and “striking endoscopic findings of airway injury (erythema, edema, and increased secretions).”
Those who use cannabis products for non-medicinal reasons should avoid doing so during the COVID-19 outbreak, he said.

“If they are not dependent, I would advise them to stop smoking cannabis,” Tashkin said. “Smoking anything increases risk.”

Chipman said he believes the state’s designation of cannabis as an essential industry can be attributed to the industry’s political clout in the state Capitol, noting that Newsom has a political stake in seeing the legal market succeed because he led the campaign for Proposition 64.

“Gavin Newsom has had blinders on related to marijuana and its impacts on public health and safety for years,” Chipman said.

But some GOP lawmakers, including Assembly Republican Leader Marie Waldron of Escondido, are siding with the governor on the decision to keep california pot dispensaries operating during the pandemic.

“I agree with the state’s efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19 thus far,” Waldron said, “But I think it’s also important to keep open as many businesses as possible, as long as that doesn’t interfere with virus mitigation and employees and customers are protected.”

The Greenhouse of Walled Lake, however, scaled back plans for a big grand opening party Saturday to mark the beginning of recreational sales with fireworks, food trucks, bands and a huge heated tent. The tent was to be used as a waiting area for what was expected to be long lines of people waiting to be among the first to buy recreational marijuana in Oakland County.

Greenhouse employee Jeremy Alain, 27, of Walled Lake rings up the order that Gustavo Amezola, 23 and girlfriend Gabrielle Butler, 23 both of Wixom placed on the opening day for recreational users at Greenhouse, one of the first Oakland County marijuana dispensary that opened up on Saturday morning, March 14, 2020. (Photo: Eric Seals, Detroit Free Press)

Most everything was canceled when it became clear that COVID-19 was going to put a damper on the high times, it didn’t prevent marijuana sales around Michigan. The tent remained up to check in people, but the long lines hadn’t really materialized as the doors opened at 9 a.m.

And there was plenty of hand sanitizer in the tent and at every selling station inside the shop.

More: Where to buy recreational marijuana in Michigan

More: Ecorse says yes to legal weed businesses, Clinton Township votes down pot proposal

“The opening today is soft because of the coronoavirus situation as it dampens marijuana sales around michigan. It’s just not appropriate to have a celebration,” said Jerry Millen, owner of the marijuana shop. “People have been waiting for more than a year for the Greenhouse to open for recreational. The opening is smaller and more curtailed than we planned, but that’s OK. We’ll have a party this summer.”

Jerry Millen, is the owner of Greenhouse, one of the first Oakland County recreational marijuana dispensary that opened up on Saturday morning, March 14, 2020. (Photo: Eric Seals, Detroit Free Press)

Christopher Merics wasn’t going to wait until the summer to make a pot purchase.

“3:30 a.m.,” the Wixom resident said, proudly noting the time he got in line in downtown Walled Lake. “I just wanted to be the first legal sale in Oakland County.”

Merics started smoking pot in high school and said it was “incredible” to be able to buy marijuana legally. He wasn’t too worried about the potential spread of coronavirus. “I’ve always washed my hands.” He also, didn’t believe the outbreak will have much impact on marijuana sales around michigan

People placing orders for recreational marijuana in the back of Greenhouse which is one of the first Oakland County recreational marijuana dispensary that opened up on Saturday morning, March 14, 2020. They were letting three people in at a time to control the amount of people inside as several budtenders and cashiers helped answer questions and ring customers up. (Photo: Eric Seals, Detroit Free Press)

He actually wasn’t the first legal sale of recreational marijuana in Oakland County. That went to customers at Breeze in Hazel Park, which opened its doors last weekend.

Mike, who has been using marijuana off and on for 15 years, but didn’t want to give his last name, said common sense is key when venturing out during the threat of COVID-19.

“As long as you listen to what grandma and mom taught you — wash your hands and cough into your arm — you’ll be just fine,” he said, while waiting in line at Greenhouse.

At the Flower Bowl, an Inkster medical marijuana dispensary that added recreational sales on Friday, the first customer in the door wore a face mask.

“Every person gets a squirt of hand sanitizer when they come in,” said Moe Abbas, the general manager of the shop. “We’re wiping down everything with Lysol and limiting the number of people in the bud room.”

At Humblebee in the northern Michigan town of Frederic, recreational sales started this week, but one of the owners, Chris Norman, stayed home this weekend because she’s over 60.

And at Lume Cannabis Company, which started recreational sales on Wednesday in Big Rapids, added services are helping to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

“This includes offering free delivery to customers over the age of 60 at our stores in Big Rapids, Honor and Evart, increased efforts to maintain the cleanliness of our stores and implementing a policy where customers can no longer touch or smell the cannapods that hold our flower,” said John Gregory, chief marketing officer of Lume Cannabis Company.

The shops joined dozens of other marijuana dispensaries in Michigan that have begun selling recreational marijuana to anyone 21 or older. Those sales started on Dec. 1 and 71 shops have been licensed by the state to sell legal weed, with at least 52 of those actually selling a variety of products from marijuana flower to concentrates and vapes to edibles and other infused products.

In the first three months of sales in Michigan, nearly $32 million in marijuana products have been sold, generating $5.3 million in revenue to the state from the 6% sales tax and the 10% excise tax. 

Of the 52 shops that have opened around the state, only five are in metro Detroit — two in River Rouge, and one each in Inkster, Walled Lake and Hazel Park.

Macomb County is without any recreational marijuana shops because most of the county’s communities have decided they don’t want legal weed businesses in their communities, this somehow saw a decrease in marijuana sales around michigan. Clinton Township voters turned down a ballot proposal on Tuesday that would have allowed a dozen pot shops and up to 12 other types of marijuana businesses into the township. Harrison Township has agreed to allow marijuana growers into the township, but not retail shops.

15 PhotosOne of Oakland County’s first recreational marijuana dispensary is open

According to an unofficial list developed by the Michigan Marijuana Regulatory Agency, 1,425 communities have decided they don’t want marijuana businesses in their towns, while at least 42 have passed ordinances that will allow pot businesses. Many cities, including Detroit, decided against allowing in legal weed businesses until they can develop ordinances.

But several metro Detroit communities are either working on ordinances that will allow marijuana businesses or deciding which businesses will get permits, including Detroit, where 41 medical marijuana dispensaries already operate, Warren, Westland, Ferndale, and Pontiac. Others are waiting to see how the legal weed businesses are doing in other communities before deciding whether they’ll jump on the pot bandwagon. However, marijuana sales around michigan is not severely hampered by the pandemic.