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

FDA-Approved Cannabis-Based Drug is Officially Available by Prescription
The first FDA-approved, cannabinoid-based pharmaceutical drug is now for sale in the U.S. After clearing all regulatory requirements, GW Pharmaceuticals’ CBD-based drug Epidiolex is now available in all 50 states. Although the U.S. government is now allowing this drug to be sold, the federal government still classifies actual cannabis as a Schedule I illegal substance.

Ban on Recreational Marijuana Unconstitutional Says Mexico’s Supreme Court
Mexico’s highest court has ruled that a total ban on recreational marijuana is unconstitutional, opening the door for legalization of the drug across the country. The court also ordered the country’s federal health regulator to allow people the right to use personal marijuana. It will now be up to Congress to regulate the use of marijuana nationwide.

Coca-Cola CEO Says Company Has No Plans for Cannabis Drinks
Despite rumor that Coca-Cola is eyeing a deal with one of Canada’s biggest producers with Aurora Cannabis Inc, it looks like Coke decided to pass. CEO James Quincey said the company “doesn’t have any plans at this stage” to enter the CBD market, during an earnings conference call with analysts Tuesday.

Man Charged After Allegedly Attempting To Bring Weed Gummy Worms From Canada To The U.S.
An American citizen could face up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine for allegedly attempting to bring cannabis products from Canada to the United States, even though the U.S. Attorney’s Office said the products were purchased legally in Ontario.

Legal Weed in Canada Might Be Dry for a Year
Canada is already seeing massive problems with supply. Many stores and provinces are completely out of product. Additionally, some experts think it might take a year or longer before the country can supply enough weed to meet demand.

The World’s Largest Weed Dispensary Is About to Open Near the Las Vegas Strip
Planet 13, a massive weed dispensary opening just off the Las Vegas Strip, will be a sight to behold. Music and lights will pulse through its enormous 40,000 square feet of space. A treasure trove of cannabis products for medical and recreational use will line the walls. All surfaces will be shiny and new.

Lowly Moss-Like Plant Seems to Copy Cannabis
This is an interesting story from Scientific America. A recent discovery of a source of cannabinoid other than marijuana comes from a plant that is a relative of the mosses called liverwort. One genus of the plant, Radula, boasts a handful of species that produce a chemical that is a lot like tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) from Cannabis sativa, or marijuana.

New York Times Asks, “Why is CDB Everywhere?”
With CBD popping up in nearly everything — bath bombs, ice cream, dog treats — it is hard to understate the speed at which CBD has moved from the Burning Man margins to the cultural center. Fad chasers looking for the next-next big thing may want to check out the CBD-infused ricotta-and-honey toast at Chillhouse, the Instagram-ready coffee shop, nail salon and massage studio on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. And then retreat to Inscape NYC, a meditation and relaxation studio in Chelsea, to unwind with a stress-busting CBD Saturday session.