phoenixnewtimes.com PHOENIX NEW TIMES APRIL 21ST– APRIL 27TH, 2022 State Licensed Dispensaries & Doctor Certifications | CANNABIS | Bouncy from p 42 effects, and dosage as a best practice before using them. “When you knee-jerk and start using any type of substance whether it be homeopathic, naturopathic, CBD, or even prescribed medications, you have to be careful,” he adds. “We understand how natural therapies work, just like red yeast works for cholesterol and St. John’s wort works for depression.” He believes natural substances can be beneficial if proper dosage is applied and other studied measures already have been discussed with parents. In the end, the experts are in unison on one major takeaway: There is too little data to be doling out CBD as a quick fix for any ailments. “We should be funding studies so we can better understand how it works, how it can benefit kids and adults, and what the side effects might be, and what are the right doses for people,” says Carroll. “That really needs to be done.” Clark is hopeful for the future of CBD and eager for more data involving its bene- fits in children. “I hope it gets done, I hope money gets put towards it because I think in certain situations it could be a really good alternative.” Beltway from p 41 regulation, marijuana and CBD retailers can only provide anecdotal evidence of its effects. This limits branding, marketing, and even the wording used on packaging, because certain claims must be backed by U.S. government-recognized research. Aside from enabling better advertising, research and regulation could also provide more specific and standardized doses for illnesses and ailments. This would espe- cially benefit medical marijuana con - sumers, who otherwise self-prescribe by trial and error. “In order for us to get to the point where we are looked at as other industries, we expect all the same regulations,” Molina said. “We will get a lot further, and gain a lot more respect if we work with the enti- ties that oversee us.” Pennington feels it isn’t just policy that’s keeping marijuana from the mainstream. “The problem is that both of these bills ignore the main problem that is blocking research right now, which is a lack of funding,” he said. “It’s not some problem with the law.” Pennington cites current legislation, which already allows an expanded number of DEA-licensed researchers to grow mari- juana for research. Despite these broader permissions, research continues to lag because, as Pennington says, the resources are just not there. “The reason why it is not getting done is there is no money. Neither of these bills addresses this at all. Neither will have the impact that people think they’ll have,” he says. Marijuana research can run into the tens of millions of dollars. One of Sisley’s upcoming smaller trials — with only 350 subjects — will cost upward of $17 million. This kind of money isn’t readily available via government grants, particularly when it comes to studying the possible positive usages of marijuana. Pennington points to the “research” section in the Senate’s bill as an example of National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws NORML’s Mike Robinette: “Both bills would help to eliminate the historical blocking and interference by the FDA into the research and understanding of cannabis as a plant.” the government’s focus on studying possible harm. While it does welcome “potential therapeutic effects,” it also skews negative, requesting specific research on marijuana’s impact on the “human body and developing adolescent brains,” as well as on “cognitive abilities, such as those that are required to operate motor vehicles.” Molina welcomes whatever marijuana research might find. He is hopeful it will add legitimacy to his industry and help remove the stigma. “I think there is some stuff that is going to be debunked, but there is also stuff that is going to come out that is going to be claimed as legit,” Molina said. “It’ll help back up some of the stories that a lot of the people in the industry have been saying for years, about the benefits of cannabis, and what it can do for the person, body, and mind.” 45
