For some, it might mean feeling a little uneasy when matched with an unknown entity that catches them off guard when they least expect it, or a looming dread of a weekly editorial meeting that keeps them from wanting to get out of bed. Hey, we’ve been there. There are other people, however, who have an irrational, crippling fear (otherwise known as a phobia) of something that hinders their lives with such ferocity that they will do everything in their power to maintain a safe distance.

Cognitive decline is easily one of the biggest fears among people over the age of 50. Nearly everyone has experienced losing their keys, forgetting a name, or walking into a room not remembering why at some point in their lifetime.

But imagine that happening more frequently, combined with thoughts and behaviour changes. The fear of developing a form of dementia, such as Alzheimer’s disease, is real for so many people. That same fear is the reason that learning more about the disease, including prevention and new Alzheimer’s treatments is very important to living the most fulfilled and healthy existence possible.

A brain protein associated with depression and Alzheimer’s in young marijuana users has now also been linked to stress and anxiety.

Previous studies have shown that marijuana can reduce stress and quell anxiety in adults. New Canadian research indicates the same might not be true for adolescents. Instead, young cannabis users often develop a brain protein associated with stress and anxiety, according to the study.

Ottawa should reduce the THC content permitted in legal cannabis edibles to limit the risk of overdoses, say Canada’s doctors.

The allowable maximum amount of 10 mg of THC per edible should be lowered to five mg, says the Canadian Medical Association (CMA).

The experience in U.S. states such as Colorado, where the derivatives have been legal for several years and have led to hospitalizations, should serve as a warning to Canadian regulators, said CMA president Sandy Buchman.

“The CMA maintains that 10 mg per discrete unit and package is too high and should be established at a maximum of 5 mg per dose, given the higher risks of overconsumption with edibles,” Buchman said in a statement.

Newly released data from Health Canada indicates Canadians just aren’t that into cannabis oils.

The agency reports that inventories of cannabis oil greatly outweigh the number of sales.

For the month of June, around 9,600 litres of cannabis oil was sold compared to a total inventory of just over 141,000 litres — that is 14.7 times more inventory than sales.

Sales of cannabis oil also decreased in June by 2.1 percent, but finished inventory actually increased 15 percent, from a little over 85,000 to more than 98,000 litres.

There’s still a long way to go, but the National Hockey League’s past and present representatives are slowly changing the perception of CBD use in the NHL.

Cannabis isn’t currently on the NHL’s list of banned substances, and players who are caught using cannabis substances aren’t automatically fined or suspended like they would be in stricter leagues like the NFL and the MLB. Instead, hockey players aren’t publicly identified if they test positive for cannabis use, and action is only taken if the player is deemed to need substance abuse treatment.

Shortages of Canadian marijuana appeared immediately after recreational sales of cannabis starting from October 2018.  Hence, there is a typical Canadian refrain almost lately.  Because of little inventory remaining, many stores are closed three days a week, and provincial distributors are blaming federal regulations and producers. Some of the giant retailer’s licenses have also frozen and some are limited to 25 stores on the state level.

Hundreds of people across the country have taken ill over the past weeks with a severe pulmonary affliction apparently linked to the vaping of cannabis products and nicotine-filled e-cigarettes. The victims are now said to number over 450 — and many were otherwise healthy young people, in their teens or early 20s. State and federal health authorities are investigating, and have just issued preliminary findings naming a particular additive found in vape cartridges. While the additive appears most common in illicit market vapes, many states have not banned the substance in their legal products.

As Ottawa prepares to legalize edibles and concentrates later this year, Canadians interested in cannabis oils won’t have to line up for long.

A new report by Health Canada shows that—contrary to most cannabis products—the country’s supply of oils appears to be outpacing demand. While dried cannabis sales climbed 4.7 percent in June 2019 compared to the previous month, sales of cannabis oils dropped by 2.1 percent.

With marijuana use and mental health both wildly stigmatized, perhaps there are solutions in place that are as simple as having a conversation.

Millions of Americans are coping with mental health issues. Often undiagnosed or misdiagnosed, those who suffer in silence with mental illness issues often remain silent due to the stigmatization that shrouds depression, anxiety, and other psychiatric disorders.