A Weekly Roundup of Stories We Found Interesting – From The Profound To The Profane

Where Marijuana Is Legal, Opioid Prescriptions Fall
Scientific American reported that the two new papers published Monday in JAMA Internal Medicine analyzing more than five years of Medicare Part D and Medicaid prescription data found that after states legalized weed, the number of opioid prescriptions and the daily dose of opioids went way down.

Too Many Cannabis Industry Employees Impaired At Work
A recent study published in the American Journal of Industrial Medicine finds that a large percentage of those employed in the businesses of growing and selling weed is getting high either before work at some point during business hours.

Why Pennsylvania Only Has 2 Pot Growers to Supply 7,000 Medical Marijuana Cardholders
Judy Cassel, a Harrisburg-based lawyer said building demand was a crucial first step from a commercial standpoint. Though the program is run by the state, it remains dependent on commercial enterprise and private sector companies to survive, she explained. The survival of those companies, in turn, depends on the program being financially viable.

The Ultimate Guide to Cannabinoids in Cannabis from High Times
Exploring the world of cannabinoids can be rewarding for anyone interested in cultivating a more intentional relationship with cannabis. Knowledge about precisely how and why certain strains and products produce their effects is empowering.

Connecticut Lawmakers Advance Marijuana Legalization Bill
Connecticut lawmakers have advanced a recreational marijuana bill out of committee, setting up the state legislature to vote on legalizing the substance in the state for the first time.

Legal Cannabis on Pace to Match U.S. Soda Sales by 2030
Marijuana is poised to take the fizz out the American soda market. Now that marijuana legalization has taken over more parts of the country, the nationwide cannabis industry is expected to grow into a ferocious beast worth an estimated $75 billion. According to Bloomberg, that will put the legal pot scene in line to beat out sales of the entire North American carbonated soda market.

Binge Drinking Is On the Decline in States with Legal Weed
As the rest of the country hits the bottle harder than ever before, a new study found that states with legal access to recreational cannabis have seen a significant decrease in heavy drinking.