Delta-8 vs-Delta 9 and Delta-10 THC: Effects Differences and Similarities

What are the effects of delta-8 vs. delta-9 vs delta-10 THC? How do they differ, and where do they overlap? While these questions are straightforward, the answers are not.

The health benefits and psychoactive effects of cannabis plants on the human body are well-documented but not fully understood. This knowledge gap further widened in the mid-2010s, when hemp plants became a go-to for many health enthusiasts seeking symptom relief with CBD.

But contrary to popular belief, THC isn’t a unified compound, instead coming in several variations. While delta-8 and (of course) delta-9 THC are firmly on consumers’ (and regulators’) radars, there are many other THC cannabinoids.

If this sounds overwhelming, you’re not alone. But with delta-10 starting to gain traction, it’s important to see how this product compares to its counterparts in performance, efficacy, and – most importantly – safety.

Let’s directly compare delta-8 vs delta-9 vs delta-10 THC and dive deeper into the cannabinoid question.

What are Cannabinoids?

Cannabinoids are natural compounds produced in the human body (endocannabinoids) or externally (phytocannabinoids) – including major ones like THC and CBD. However, many lesser-known (or unknown) cannabinoids continue to appear. CBG, CBC, CBN, and CBT are found in trace amounts and offer potential benefits.

Endocannabinoids

Through a complex endocannabinoid system of receptors, our bodies use internally-produced cannabinoids, like anandamide and 2-AG, to regulate critical physiological and mental functions. For instance, anandamide regulates a massive spectrum of emotional and physical states. It also has a similar molecular structure to THC and binds with the same receptors.

Phytocannabinoids

Phytocannabinoids are produced exclusively by the Cannabis sativa L. plant species. Contrary to popular belief, botanists don’t split the cannabis plant into indica or sativa categories. Despite a pervasive myth, there is no scientific basis for the idea that indica and sativa cannabis plants have different effects.

Synthetic Cannabinoids

Synthetic cannabinoids are designed to mimic the psychoactive effects of THC. But unlike their natural counterparts, chemical products such as “K2” and “Spice” contain no natural ingredients. Consequently, these cannabinoids can be – and have been – harmful or deadly.

What is THC?

THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) is arguably the most famous (and infamous) compound in cannabis. Out of the roughly 120 different cannabinoids, THC is the only one with strong psychoactive properties.

However, THC is a double-edged sword. Medical “marijuana” (a legal term for high-THC cannabis) continues to be explored as an alternative therapeutic tool for chemotherapy-induced nausea, pain relief, improved sleep quality, and other medical conditions. However, anecdotal evidence forms the backbone of the cannabis plant’s reported benefits, leaving many experts skeptical of its medical use.

But despite some promising medical benefits, THC has been in rough legal waters for over 80 years. While many find the experience enjoyable, THC consumption can trigger adverse effects. Consequently, some people worry – or already know – that the safety concerns (such as impairment and anxiety) outweigh any medicinal benefits.

How Many THC Forms Are There?

Like all other cannabinoids in the cannabis sativa plant, Tetrahydrocannabinol isn’t an isolated psychoactive substance. Instead, it has several variants with different atomic arrangements, called “isomers.” An isomer is a compound (natural or synthetic) with the same atomic formula (C21H30O2) but a different chemical structure.

But there are also THC-related minor cannabinoids that don’t fall under the typical delta THC numbering system.

Tetrahydrocannabinol

There’s a reason delta-9, delta-8, and delta-10 are numbered accordingly. The classification is based on the compounds’ molecular structures.

The THC molecule carries several chains of carbon atoms. Depending on the variant, Tetrahydrocannabinol will have a double bond between certain points in those chains.

For instance, Kruger et al. explain that delta-8 THC’s double bond is between the eighth carbon atom and the ninth. Delta-9 has its chemical bond between the ninth and 10th, and delta-10 is between the 10th and 11th. [1]

Unfortunately, research is sparse on most of these underdogs – despite dating back as early as the 1940s – since they’ve spent a long time under the shadow of delta-9.

Despite identifying nearly 120 cannabinoids, we’re unlikely to reach the end of that list anytime soon. Below are the known cannabinoids as documented by Dr. Rudolph Brennstein. [2]

The delta series is labeled as follows:

• Delta-1 THC
• Delta-3 THC
• Delta-7 THC (a.k.a delta-5 THC)
• Delta-8 THC
• Delta-9 THC
• Delta-10 THC (a.k.a. delta-2 THC)
• Delta-11 THC
• 11-hydroxy-Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol

A brief note on 11-hydroxy-Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol; unlike phytocannabinoids or endocannabinoids, 11-hydroxy-Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol is a unique hybrid compound. It generates exclusively through the breakdown of edible delta-9 THC in the liver and gastrointestinal tract.

The list of isomers is extensive. While most occur naturally in the cannabis plant, some are synthesized to manipulate THC’s psychoactive effects. The following related compounds belong to either the delta-8 or delta-9 categories.

Known THC isomers listed by Dr. Bennstein include (but aren’t limited to):

• THCA
• THCV
• THCVA
• THC-C4
• THCA-C1
• THCA-B
• THC-O (synthetic cannabinoid three times more potent than delta-9 cannabis products)

The Endocannabinoid System

Before moving on to delta-8 vs. delta-9 vs. delta-10 THC, we must understand how certain cannabis compounds work.

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a complex category of cannabinoid receptors known as “CB1” and “CB2.” Located in the central and peripheral nervous systems, respectively, CB1 and CB2 harness the power of endocannabinoids and maintain a certain biochemical balance called “homeostasis.”

But due to its nature, the ECS also interacts – directly or indirectly – with phytocannabinoids like delta-8, delta-9, and delta-9 THC.

All three compounds have affinities for the endocannabinoid receptors, while others (like CBD) don’t bind.

What is Delta-8 THC?

Delta-8 is one of many THC isomers (again, compounds with the same chemical formula but a different molecular arrangement).

Delta-8 THC is a minor cannabinoid, meaning it’s only present in trace amounts, making extraction inefficient. Similarly, breeding delta-8-dominant THC plants – without infusing hemp with extract – is all but impossible (at least for now).

Fortunately, CBD (cannabidiol) also has the same atomic makeup. More importantly, CBD is legal on a federal level, thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill. The loophole allows hemp-derived CBD extracts to undergo “isomerization” to create delta-8.

The entire procedure is complicated, to say the least. What matters is that isomerization rearranges CBD’s molecular design.

The CBD will have been reassembled into delta-8 Tetrahydrocannabinol within a few hours.

Unlike most hemp-derived CBD products, the delta-8 THC extraction process and synthesis is arguably “dirtier,” further emphasizing the importance of third-party tests.

How it Works

Delta-8 THC’s overall effects are comparable to those of delta-9 but with a few key differences. We’ll get into those details next.

For now, let’s go back to the CB receptors. Like its bigger brother, delta-8 acts on the CB1 and CB2 endocannabinoid receptors. THC’s high comes from binding to the CB1 group in the central nervous system. Meanwhile, the rest of the body also interacts with THC through the CB2 receptors.

Delta-8 THC binds with the CB1 and CB2 pathways but to a weaker extent than delta-9 THC. This similar – but weaker – mechanism of action significantly cripples many undesirable effects.

What Does Delta-8 THC Feel Like?

Delta-8 THC feels like a lighter version of its potent counterpart. The compound’s effects are milder, triggering a muted “high” with little to no anxiety.

Delta-8 THC’s weaker affinity for the CB1 and CB2 receptors (as we covered earlier) triggers more manageable euphoric effects. Confusion, anxiety, dizziness, altered sense of time, dry mouth, and other issues are less intense or non-existent.

Potential Benefits of Delta-8 THC

Many users – especially medical ones – appreciate delta-8 THC’s mildness. The previously mentioned study by Kruger et al. consisted of a survey among adult volunteers who purchased delta-8 THC for medical or recreational use.

Participants reported their reasons for consumption, which mirror those of delta-9 THC. These included:

• • Pain relief
  • Relaxation
  • Mood-enhancement

However, other alleged benefits of delta-8 THC may also involve:

• • Sleep aid
  • Appetite improvement
  • Nausea relief
  • Swelling

Uses

Since delta-8 THC is reportedly milder than delta-9, it’s perfect for medical and recreational use. Medical “marijuana” users stand to benefit from the therapeutic effects while still remaining more functional. Additionally, less potency inevitably triggers milder side effects.

Recreational cannabis fans also enjoy delta-8 due to its availability and pleasant, milder high.

Risks

Delta-8 THC, on its own, arguably poses fewer potential risks than delta-9 THC. Since the former’s psychotropic effects are milder, the chances of overdose (“greening out”) are virtually non-existent.

Make no mistake, delta-8 can contain dangerous acid solvent traces with well-documented toxic effects. A 2022 FDA report [3] warns about how harmful low-quality delta-8 THC products could be.

“Some manufacturers may use potentially unsafe household chemicals to make delta-8 THC through this chemical synthesis [isomerization] process,” the FDA says.

The regulator also warns that delta-8 products could be made in “uncontrolled or unsanitary settings, which may lead to the presence of unsafe contaminants or other potentially harmful substances.”

We also don’t have much research on delta-8 THC’s safety. This concerning knowledge gap prompted Canada – the first industrialized nation to federally legalize recreational cannabis – to ban delta-8 products indefinitely.

Nonetheless, delta-8 is still popular among a growing niche of consumers in the U.S. and abroad. At the moment, shoppers have to carefully choose their delta-8 sources.

Is Delta-8 THC Legal?

Yes, delta-8 THC is technically legal federally since it’s synthesized from hemp-derived CBD. Although its status on a federal level appears stable, delta-8 THC is still in the crosshairs of regulators and lawmakers alike.

Stay up-to-date with cannabis industry developments and laws in your state if you purchase or plan to try delta-8.

What is Delta-9 THC?

Delta-9 THC needs little introduction. Discovered in 1964 by Israeli researcher Raphael Mechoulam, THC is a household name among even the most staunch prohibitionists.

Like delta-8 THC, delta-9 is a THC isomer. However, what sets delta-9 apart is that it’s the only known phytocannabinoid that triggers a potent, intoxicating (and potentially debilitating) “high.”

But unlike its milder counterpart, delta-9 occurs naturally in highly concentrated amounts, depending on the strain. Since the cannabinoid is plentiful, it’s possible to smoke it directly from plant matter. Edible and oil makers can use clean methods, like CO2 extraction, rather than dangerous isomerization.

How It Works

Delta-9 THC has a strong affinity for the CB1 and CB2 receptors. The potent psychoactive effects are possible thanks to delta-9’s strong connection with CB1 pathways in the brain and spinal cord.

Since endocannabinoids help regulate a variety of functions, anything that interacts with or alters the CB receptors will also have various mental and physical effects.

Endocannabinoid receptors in the central nervous system help maintain balance through appetite, sleep regulation, mood control, memory, coordination, and more.

But while delta-9 THC is structurally similar to the endocannabinoid anandamide, the latter is released as-needed. The effects of delta-9, on the other hand, are based on the cannabis product’s potency (and other factors).

Consequently, delta-9’s interaction with the CB1 receptors can impair things like cognition and memory. At the same time, the cannabinoid may have beneficial effects, like pain relief, nausea reduction, and mood enhancement.

Delta-9 THC also could have beneficial effects on the CB2 receptors in the rest of the body and outlying systems. But the CB2 pathways aren’t located in the brain but rather in places like the digestive, reproductive, and immune systems.

Binding to the CB2 receptors also controls various physical responses and sensations, including pain, inflammation, immune system responses, and more.

Combining a strong affinity for both endocannabinoid receptors makes THC one of the most therapeutically viable cannabinoids. But the effects – which we’ll cover soon – are a double-edged sword for some users.

What Does Delta-9 THC Feel Like?

Anyone who uses recreational or medical “marijuana” knows what delta-9 feels like. However, delta-9 THC products come from thousands of strains, each with different cannabinoid and terpene profiles.

THC also affects everyone differently. Some might notice certain strains trigger energizing effects, while others are more sedating.

Typically, users may experience the following:

• • Euphoric effects
  • Appetite changes
  • Mood improvement
  • Altered sense of time
  • Dizziness
  • Drowsiness
  • Impaired motor function
  • Increased/decreased verbal communication
  • Confusion
  • Anxiety
  • Paranoia
  • Nausea/vomiting (“greening out”)
  • Headache
  • Auditory/visional hallucinations (rare)

Uses

Delta-9 THC has a substantial list of applications. While the cannabis plant was cultivated as far back as the dawn of agriculture (mainly for food and raw material), the first recorded medical use was in ancient China around 2700 B.C.E.

However, with the discovery of its intoxicating effects, cannabis went from a medical and industrial product to a recreational and spiritual one. Some religions today include cannabis as an integral part of their customs and rituals.

Potential Benefits of Delta-9 THC

Delta-9’s potential benefits have been circling the media for so long that many of the compound’s medical uses are common knowledge.

In 1996, California became the first state to legalize medical cannabis, with Orgon, Alaska, and Washington following suit two years later.

Initially, medical cannabis was restricted to a narrow group of people – specifically cancer patients with nausea. But since then, the list of eligible conditions has expanded to many of the following:

• • Seizures
  • Chronic pain
  • Depression
  • Anxiety (with careful dosing)
  • Skin conditions (topical cannabis)
  • Sleep
  • Autoimmune diseases
  • Multiple sclerosis

Keep in mind that human research is limited, so never attempt to medicate with cannabis without speaking to a doctor.

Risks

Although the benefits of delta-9 THC are still the subject of ongoing (and occasionally inconclusive) research, the risks are far more documented.

For instance, THC can cause adverse events in people with heart conditions or other issues that affect heart and brain function.

Being high could also lead to accidents while driving or operating heavy machinery.

The compound could also land you in legal trouble if it appears on a drug test. If drug tests are common at your job, it’s best to consult with your employer regarding medical use. You also might have to avoid these THC products due to a legal arrangement (such as parole or probation).

Cannabis Use Disorder

Also known as “marijuana use disorder,” the Centers for Disease Control warns that the chances of developing THC addiction are around 10%, with roughly 3 out of 10 fitting the description to some extent. [4]

Is Delta-9 THC Legal?

As of the writing of this article, delta-9 THC is legal for medical use in 38 states and the District of Columbia, along with three territories.

Unfortunately, federal regulators have been slow to catch up. Consequently, people can still be federally charged for cannabis possession, regardless of state law.

What is Delta-10 THC?

Delta-10 Tetrahydrocannabinol is another THC isomer backed by less research than even delta-8.

Like its predecessors, whose chemical double bonds fall into the eighth carbon chain and ninth, respectively, the product’s effects tend to be even milder than delta-8.

Although it exists naturally as a minor cannabinoid, this poses the same problem as that of delta-8 THC. As a result, its synthesis requires chemical extraction.

How It Works

Delta-10 also binds to the CB1 and CB2 endocannabinoid receptors. However, its affinity is weaker than even delta-8’s.

With less impact on the central nervous system, this THC product could provide even better therapeutic applications with less effect on coordination, mood, and memory.

What Does Delta-10 THC Feel Like?

Reports are still sparse, but delta-10 THC consumers typically report mood enhancement and energy.

Uses

From a medical standpoint, it’s unclear what (if any) therapeutic benefits delta-10 offers. But with reports pointing to a more energizing, less intoxicating experience, it’s possible that the product can help with a limited amount of mood disorders.

Recreational users may not get as much enjoyment out of delta-10, but the THC products still offer stimulating effects that can help provide energy throughout the day.

Potential Benefits of Delta-10 THC

Again, our knowledge of delta-10’s benefits is based primarily on educated guesses. However, if the extract’s effects are verifiable, then – theoretically – it could help with some of the following:

• • Depression
  • Fatigue
  • Mood enhancement

Some non-academic sources claim that delta-10 could also have neuroprotective properties and may – ironically – help preserve memory.

However, we couldn’t verify these claims.

Risks

Since delta-10 production requires chemical synthesis, it could be just as dangerous as delta-8. If you buy these products, only choose from vendors who publish third-party lab tests.

Is Delta-10 THC Legal?

Yes, delta-10 is legal because, like delta-8, it can come from hemp-derived CBD.

Similarities Between Delta-8, Delta-9, and Delta-10 THC

• Same molecular formula
• Found naturally in cannabis
• Act upon the CB1 and CB2 receptors
• Intoxicating effects (to varying degrees)

Differences Between Delta-8, Delta-9, and Delta-10 THC?

• Different molecular structure
• Varying potency
• Delta-8 and delta-10 exist in trace amounts
• Delta-9 extracts are “cleaner” than delta-8 and delta-10

Conclusion

When considering delta-8 vs. delta-9 vs. delta-10 consumption, it’s important to take a cautious approach. Despite its long history, cannabinoid research isn’t nearly where we want it to be.

New products like delta-8 and delta-10 are promising, but in a metaphorical “gold rush,” some manufacturers inevitably cut corners at the expense of consumer safety.

All forms of THC could offer some excellent benefits, but we need to be cautious. Always consult with a medical professional before trying any form of THC.

Sources

1. Kruger, J. S., & Kruger, D. J. (2022). Delta-8-THC: Delta-9-THC’s nicer younger sibling? Journal of Cannabis Research, 4(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s42238-021-00115-8
2. Brenneisen, R. (2007). Chemistry and Analysis of Phytocannabinoids and Other Cannabis Constituents. In Humana Press eBooks (pp. 17–49). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-59259-947-9_2
3. Office of the Commissioner & Office of the Commissioner. (2022). 5 Things to Know about Delta-8 Tetrahydrocannabinol – Delta-8 THC. U.S. Food And Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/5-things-know-about-delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol-delta-8-thc
4. Addiction | Health Effects | Marijuana | CDC. (n.d.). https://www.cdc.gov/marijuana/health-effects/addiction.html#:~:text=Some%20people%20who%20use%20marijuana,marijuana%20have%20marijuana%20use%20disorder.

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Muscimol Isolate: A Potent Extract from Amanita Muscaria Properties Effects and Usage

Muscimol Isolate is a highly concentrated form of Muscimol, one of the two active compounds found in Amanita Muscaria mushrooms, alongside Ibotenic acid. These mushrooms, recognizable by their red caps dotted with white speckles, have long fascinated various cultures due to their unique psychoactive properties, which are often associated with spiritual and shamanic experiences.

Since Ibotenic acid can have harsh side effects, but it converts into Muscimol when dried or heated, people who want to experience the benefits of Amanita mushrooms often look for products made from pure Muscimol, rather than Amanita powder (which includes a small amount of Ibotenic Acid, as not all of it has been converted into Muscimol when dried), such as Muscimol gummies, Muscimol tinctures, Muscimol isolates, and so on.

That said, most people who use Amanita products still prefer the more natural forms of this product, which contain both Muscimol and Ibotenic acid (even though some of the acid has converted to Muscimol in the drying process), such as Amanita gummies, Amanita mushroom caps, Amanita tinctures, Amanita powder, Amanita chocolate and so on.

Amanita Tincture: A Potent Elixir for a Mind-Bending Experience

While both options are valid, each person reacts differently to Muscimol and Ibotenic acid. If you choose a blended product, you should always start low and grow slow until you find your sweet spot. This rule applies to all psychoactive compounds, so take it easy and avoid forcing yourself into the ‘rabbit hole.’ There is plenty of room there for everyone, but you should only go there when you are ready.

One last thing before we move on: Unless you are an experienced user and Amanita Tea is what you start your day with, you should avoid using raw mushrooms as they need to be carefully dried or heated to avoid sickness. Again, take it easy, start low, and grow slow. There is a world of wonders waiting for you, if only you approach it with caution.

Muscimol isolate: The main active compound in Amanita Muscaria

Muscimol is the primary psychoactive component in Amanita Muscaria mushrooms, and most people who use these fungi do so to experience this compound. It arises from the decarboxylation of ibotenic acid, another active compound present in these mushrooms. When consumed, muscimol binds to GABA receptors in the brain, leading to a range of effects that may include sedative, hypnotic, depressant, and hallucinogenic states.

Muscimol Isolate (Image credit: Amanita Mushrooms)

However, it is important to note that the hallucinogenic properties of muscimol differ significantly from those typically associated with psilocybin mushrooms, also known as magic mushrooms.

People often mistakenly confuse the effects of Amanita mushrooms with psilocybin mushrooms and expect them to produce visual hallucinations, which they won’t. Amanita Muscaria mushrooms should not be reffered to as psychedelic mushrtooms (even they might be, when high doses are involved), but more as spiritual mushrooms, as the effects are very different from the ones you expect to feel when taking psilocybin.

However, it is important to note that the hallucinogenic properties of muscimol differ significantly from those typically associated with psilocybin mushrooms, also known as magic mushrooms. People often mistakenly confuse the effects of Amanita mushrooms with psilocybin mushrooms and expect them to produce visual hallucinations, which they won’t. While Amanita Muscaria mushrooms can have somewhat of psychedelic effects at high doses, they are more accurately referred to as spiritual mushrooms due to their dream-like experience and different effects compared to psilocybin. To be more specific, the experiences with Amanita Muscaria mushrooms are not characterized by the same visual hallucinations commonly associated with psilocybin mushrooms, but on other sensations, provoked from the inside.

Discover the Power of Amanita Mushroom Caps: A Journey with Muscaria and Pantherina

Try working with the raw material itself: Amanita and Pantherina mushrooms

Muscimol vs. Psilocybin: Key Differences

Muscimol and psilocybin are both psychoactive compounds found in different species of mushrooms. As a result, they act on the brain in distinct ways and produce different effects.

Psilocybin is a compound found in certain types of mushrooms, commonly referred to as “magic mushrooms”. Upon ingestion, psilocybin is converted in the body to psilocin, which acts primarily on the serotonin receptors in the brain. The effects of psilocybin are typically characterized by profound changes in consciousness, perception, and mood, often including visual and auditory hallucinations or distortions.

Muscimol, on the other hand, is the active compound in Amanita mushrooms. It acts on the GABA receptors in the brain, a different class of neurotransmitter receptors than those targeted by psilocybin. This results in a distinct set of effects, which can include sedative, hypnotic, and hallucinogenic states. However, the hallucinogenic effects of muscimol are different from those induced by psilocybin. While psilocybin often produces vivid visual hallucinations and profound shifts in perception, the effects of muscimol are more likely to be described as dream-like or surreal, and do not typically involve the intense visual effects associated with psilocybin​.

Everything You Need to Know About Psychedelic Mushrooms and Mushroom Drugs

In case Magic Mushrooms is what you are looking for…

In terms of safety, both substances carry risks and should only be used under appropriate guidance and in a safe, controlled context. It’s also worth noting that while both compounds are found in mushrooms, the species of mushrooms in which they are found are different, and many species of mushrooms are toxic. Therefore, it is critical to accurately identify any mushroom before it is consumed. When it comes to Amanita mushrooms, proper preparation is important, as we want most if not all of the ibonetic acid to be converted into Muscimol, so they need to be carefully dried and heated (170f / 80c for at least 30 minutes).

Understanding Muscimol Isolate: A Potent Extract

Muscimol Isolate, the highly purified extract of Amanita Muscaria, can be utilized in various product forms, including capsules, gummies, chocolates, powders, tinctures, and more. It is also available in its pure form. Typically, this isolated compound tests at a potency of 65%, meaning it contains 650 mg of muscimol per gram. The significant potency of this extract allow companies to create potent products using the isolate and provides users with enhanced control over dosing.

Dosing and Microdosing with Muscimol

Microdosing typically involves taking the smallest dose necessary to achieve subtle psychoactive effects while still maintaining functional capabilities. In contemporary culture, microdosing often refers to consuming a dose low enough to “feel something” without inducing full psychoactive or psychedelic effects.

Muscimol Gummies: A New Way to Microdose Amanita Muscaria

Great for microdosing: the new Muscimol gummies

Determining the appropriate muscimol dosage for microdosing is highly individualized and depends on factors such as body composition, metabolism, and tolerance levels. Therefore, it is challenging to provide specific dosage numbers. However, many sources suggest aiming for 0.1-0.2 grams of dry powder for microdosing, while high-potency products may start at 0.5 grams and above. That’s why most products today use the dosage of 350mg/gummy (0.35 gram).

It’s important to note that some sources may suggest higher doses to feel the desired effects, while other advise caution and smaller dosages.

Since the potency of mushrooms can vary, and different batches may contain varying amounts of muscimol, it is advisable to avoid strict reliance on specific dosage ranges. It is recommended to find your own personal dosage levels. Starting with low doses and gradually increasing them is a safer and more mindful approach. This method is also gentler on your mental and physical well-being, especially when experimenting with compounds that are new to you.

Discover the Magic of Amanita Muscaria Capsules for Microdosing Mushrooms

Another common way for microdosing is by using capsules

Experienced users often recommend drying several Amanita Muscaria mushrooms and blending the powdered forms together to create an average dosage from the entire batch. If you choose to do this, ensure that you store the mushrooms in a dry environment, preferably in a sealed jar, as they are organic matter.

How Muscimol Isolate is Obtained

To extract and isolate muscimol from Amanita mushrooms, the process could be generally summarized into these steps:

1. Harvesting: Gather mature Amanita mushrooms.
2. Drying: Dry the mushrooms to remove water content.
3. Extraction: Extract muscimol and other compounds from the dry powder.
4. Filtration: Filter the solution to get rid of the mushroom solids.
5. Evaporation: Remove unwanted materials, used for the extraction, leaving behind the extracted compounds.
6. Purification: Purify the extract to isolate muscimol from the other compounds.

This is a simplified explanation and the actual process can be complex.

Muscimol Isolate (Image credit: Amanita Mushrooms)

Conclusion

Muscimol isolate offers a unique opportunity to explore the effects of a potent, naturally occurring psychoactive and somewhat psychedelic substance. As the popularity of Amanita mushrooms and muscimol products continues to grow, the demand for muscimol isolate is expected to skyrocket. Consequently, following the success of muscimol gummies and similar products made from isolate, we can anticipate a surge in such products on the market as early as this summer.

Remember, the safety, legality, and efficacy implications of using and producing these products should always be considered. This industry is only beginning, and on our quest to produce the best products, we should always keep the well-being of our clients at the center of our attention.

Keep yourself informed

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The post Muscimol Isolate: A Potent Extract from Amanita Muscaria – Properties, Effects, and Usage appeared first on Cannadelics.

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1kg of Cannabis Will Get You Hung in Singapore

Regardless of how crazy it is, there are still plenty of places that will kill you for cannabis crimes in 2023. And this despite cannabis not being a death-toll drug. In the most recent story of this kind, the Singapore government recently hung two men for what it considered trafficking cannabis. Read on for details.

Man hung in Singapore for 1kg cannabis

If you were thinking about testing out Singapore’s drug laws, maybe think twice on that one. This is not a country that takes kindly to its laws being broken, which is evidenced by Singapore recently hanging two men within three weeks, both for cannabis crimes. One of them for trafficking 1.5kg of cannabis, and the other, only 1kg.

The most recent man in question was not named, as his family requested privacy. Reports by Aljazeera explain his case, and execution at Changi Prison on the 17^th of May. His conviction was from 2019, which he received for trafficking 3.3 pounds of cannabis, equivalent to about 1.5kg. Information on the case came through the organization Transformative Justice Collective, which actively fights the application of the death penalty in Singapore.

Explained a Transformative worker, Kokila Annamalai, the man had attempted to reopen his case, but was rejected by the court of appeals, which did not allow a hearing. The grounds for reopening had to do with DNA evidence, and fingerprints; that tied the man to a smaller amount of the drug, which he readily admitted to having.

Singapore readily gives death sentence for cannabis crimes

The story is actually the second of its kind for the country recently. On April 26^th, Tangaraju Suppiah was also hung in Singapore for trafficking cannabis. This time, the 46-year-old man was convicted of trafficking 2.2 pounds, approximately 1kg. This was also carried out despite a major push for clemency by both family, and activists (locally and internationally).

Much of the basis for these last-minute appeals had to do with the idea that Suppiah had not been treated fairly in the process; given no adequate legal coverage, or even an interpreter when he was questioned. The man required the lesser spoken language of Tamil. If these things are true, it points to an even bigger human rights abuse, as well as the question of how far a government will go to prove a point in the public’s eye, and who it’ll sacrifice to do it.

Said Annamalai of such practices to the Associated Press, “If we don’t come together to stop it, we fear that this killing spree will continue in the weeks and months to come.” This is a good point, as Singapore has been on a bit of a rampage. Though the country took a much needed break on executions during the corona pandemic, it came back with vigor last year, executing 11 people, and all for drug crimes.

Death Penalty for Cannabis: Which Countries Will Kill You

Singapore and drug executions

The thing about Singapore, and many other countries that execute people for lesser crimes, is that exact information is not always available, or the released numbers are questionable. Other countries in this category include China, North Korea, Vietnam, Saudi Arabia, and Iran. And this isn’t to say that Singapore doesn’t release anything at all.

It does release a number each year via the Singapore Prison Service. For example, in 2019, it claimed it had hung four people, and specified that two were for drug crimes. The other two were for murder. The previous year, the country copped to 13 executions, with only two for murder, while 11 were killed for drug crimes. How truthful these numbers are, however, is hard to say.

The country regulates drug crimes through the Misuse of Drugs Act, which requires the person under arrest to prove themselves, and not the government to prove its case. Essentially, guilty until proven innocent, instead of innocent until proven guilty. This isn’t unheard of outside of Singapore, although its not the general standard globally.

Singapore recently hung two men for cannabis crimes

Under the law, trafficking any amount more than 500 (~1.1 pounds) dried flower, or 200 grams of hash, is subject to the death penalty. Not only that, when found with it in that amount (or even less), its automatically assumed the person is trafficking. This means if a person secretly grows 500 grams worth for private medical use, they can still be tried, convicted, and executed for trafficking the drug.

Though 500 grams is the amount to incur the death penalty, as little as 15 grams of regular cannabis, or 10 grams of hash, is enough to incur a trafficking charge. The law also dictates that any amount of a drug found in a person’s home or car is automatically assumed to be theirs. All punishments are therefore relevant to that person, even if the contraband isn’t actually theirs.

Internationally the death penalty is accepted for very serious crimes (even if not desired). To give an idea of how little Singapore cares about these people, or the international world, Singapore made headlines in 2022 when it executed a Malaysian man with learning disabilities, named Nagaenthran Dharmalingam. The country works to defend its execution policy, which it says via the Ministry of Home Affairs, is “an essential component of Singapore’s criminal justice system and has been effective in keeping Singapore safe and secure.”

Global Executions for Drug Crimes Up In 2022

Global executions for drug crimes

Singapore is certainly not alone in using the death penalty for cannabis, and other drug crimes. As stated earlier, many countries don’t report on these matters, or give numbers that can’t be confirmed. But even so, we have a pretty good idea that in 2022 the number of executions for drug crimes, went up globally. At least according to the United Nations Economic and Social Council’s Death Penalty for Drug Offenses: Global Overview 2022.

The report states that 35 countries use the death penalty for drug crimes; although each country varies in terms of what it considers a crime which is punishable by death. Since information isn’t complete on the topic, the report gives the statistic that there were 285+ drug-related executions globally in 2022. It also gives the statistic of 303+ people sentenced to death last year, from a total of 18 different countries. How many people currently sit on death row worldwide for drug-related offenses? According to the report, 3,700+.

The 2022 numbers are up from 2021, which might have had lower numbers due to corona. For example, countries like Singapore and Saudi Arabia stopped executions for periods of time. In 2021 there were 131 reported executions, and 237 reported death sentences handed down from at least 16 countries. This makes the 2022 number for executions about 118% higher than the 2021 number.

Singapore practices capital punishment for drug crimes

The 2022 numbers are 850% higher than 2020 numbers (also likely affected greatly by corona). In that year, there were 30+ executions. Along with active executions, 213+ people received death sentences for drug-related crimes.

What should we expect in the future? Considering how much work countries like Singapore put into defending their practices, probably not progress. In fact, we should expect to see similar, or increased numbers, for this year. And until something actually changes, for the foreseeable future. And while in a country like Singapore its said by the government that prisoners get their due process, the recent reports make this idea questionable. We probably shouldn’t expect that many of these death sentence decisions, come out of fair play.

Conclusion

In 1994, Singapore caned American teenager Michael Fay, who was implicated in minor acts of vandalism. It was a big story, and the US government did try to get him clemency; Singapore said no, and caned him four times. Fay was among several who had possibly caused the acts, and retracted his initial confession saying he had been pressured to give it, and assured by doing so he wouldn’t get caned. Under the circumstances of how it reacted to this crime nearly 30 years ago, should we really be surprised that Singapore is hanging people left and right for cannabis now?

At Your Own Risk: Top 5 Death Toll Drugs

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Oregon 1st Magic Mushroom Center Released Expensive Pricing

We’ve been talking about it for a while, and speculating on what to expect. Even as the cannabis industry takes a nose dive due to high regulatory and tax costs, it seems no lesson was learned for the legal psychedelics industry. Something made clear when an Oregon company released information for the first magic mushroom center; which is incredibly expensive.

The first Oregon psilocybin treatment center is expensive

There was a lot of speculation in the last year, and particularly in the last several months; as Oregon slowly unraveled its regulatory plans for its voted-in psychedelics industry. And the reality is now here, that this new magic mushroom industry will be quite expensive for users. Recently, information came out for Eugene Psychedelic Integration Center (EPIC Healing Eugene), the first facility to receive a license to provide services.

And, as stated, it’s not exactly cheap. One session will run a person $2,800 for 2 ½ grams, and for a four-gram sessions? That’ll cost about $3,500. The difference here is 1 ½ grams of mushrooms, which equals an increase of $700. No matter how you look at it, these are not prices everyone can drop for a treatment.

What’s more? Not only is this cost already high, but medical insurance won’t cover it, not at EPIC, and not with most insurers until more inroads are made federally. Which means those who want services must pay this amount without any reimbursement. Overall prices do vary based on the amount of mushrooms used, and the amount of people (group or individual), but regardless, the new magic mushroom industry in Oregon, is expensive.

The expensive cost of mushroom therapy in Oregon

Why is the magic mushroom industry in Oregon so expensive?

These costs, are at least in part because of expensive regulatory measures put on the magic mushroom industry by Oregon regulators. EPIC’s founder Cathy Rosewell Jonas told Williamette Week that she was required to pay $12,000 just to get certified, as well as a $10,000 annual fee, and a $60,000 insurance fee. That means, just to get going, Jonas has to pay out a whopping $82,000 on top of regular costs.

Beyond what she’s paying out to have the business, she also can’t make deductions for income tax for standard things like rent, which other business-owners can. This is because psilocybin is still Schedule I in terms of the federal government, and therefore illegal. In fact, Jonas falls into the same problem area as cannabis companies which operate similarly, with the same federal tax issue. She cannot make standard deductions, which means overpaying in taxes to the federal government. For those paying attention, it means the federal government most certainly collects tax money, while considering the industry illegal.

It does so by way of Section 280E in the country’s tax code. This law is applied to traffickers of Schedule I and II substances, and is meant to ensure such traffickers can’t make standard deductions. Just like with cannabis markets, this is not real trafficking though. The industries are 100% legal within their states, which means this is just another form of bullying by the US government. This, in turn, forces Jonas to set prices at 30% higher to make up for these expenses. In fact, for about every $3,000 charged, about $1,000 must be reserved for the federal government…which is quite a bit considering the entity is not ‘officially’ taxing the market.

The Price of Shrooms: Will Mushroom Treatment Burn a Hole in Your Pocket?

Then added on to everything else, is the price of the therapists. A prospective client must first undergo both a screening, and three prep sessions, before the actual treatment. And then that’s followed by integration sessions after. The therapists for these sessions generally charge approximately $150 to $200 an hour, as per Therapsil, which must be factored into the overall cost.

Is this worth it?

We can see from the costs that EPIC must pay, that there are some steep regulatory and tax amounts tied to running a magic mushroom service center, and the result is that this first center in Oregon, is rather expensive for consumers. Should we expect people to pay this bill? And is it even worth it?

The Psychedelics Spotlight article that relayed the information, makes the point that regular treatment for depression can also be expensive. It speaks of medication costs, for both brand name and generic as costing approximately $62.50 (generic) up to $700 (brand name) monthly. But realistically, these are generally covered by insurance, so the patient will likely only pay a copay, or have the option of a less expensive medication.

Why is magic mushroom treatment so expensive in Oregon?

In terms of the cost of actual therapy sessions, its true that this isn’t cheap either when adding up for a year, but this is also often covered. All these costs against one session, (or a few sessions), of mushroom treatment, are still likely way less. And payed in small increments around the year, not all at once. However, having said that, the problem with these other therapeutic avenues, is that if they had actually worked, the person in question probably wouldn’t be seeking out mushroom therapy.

A person paying standard therapy costs (or who has them covered), and who then resorts to mushroom therapy, is essentially saying that all those costs added up to nothing. In this way, mushrooms therapy is the more cost-effective option for actual results – assuming it works.

But there’s something to remember here. It’s not like a person needs to go to an office-like place to get high on something they can get high on at home, and for way less money. No matter how you excuse the costs, or try to compare them, the same thing is coming up here, which comes up in both the weed and ketamine industries; that high prices are driving the industry down. One session at EPIC is between $2,800 and $3,500 for 2.5-4 grams.

After Tax Restructuring, California Weed Market Still Going Down

But an eighth on the street (3.5 grams) averages at about $30-40. Which would you rather pay? Which would most people rather pay? What can most people pay? Regardless of trying to compare a mushroom treatment to yearly costs of antidepressants and therapy, the reality is that the same thing that would cost thousands in a strange setting, can be under $100 in a comfortable one, of a person’s choosing.

This is seen with weed and ketamine too

The weirdest thing about this happening, is that it shows an almost brazen inability to learn from experience from a government perspective, even as a comparable situation of pricing plays out in front of us all. Sure, it looked for a moment like the weed industry was going to take off to unimaginable levels, but the unimaginable levels, in the end, turned out to be unimaginably low.

There was a good trajectory early on, but then things like overproduction happened, and the black market caught on to all the cool new things like vapes and gummies; offering more extensive and powerful products than what legal operators can. And the extreme taxes and regulatory costs sunk tons of businesses, with more on the way. All this led to the real reality now, that people aren’t going to pay inflated costs, for something they can get cheaper…or even grow on their own.

Overpriced cannabis market having major issues

California made a big deal of finally changing its tax structure, when the market started really tanking out last year. So what did the state do? It did nix a cultivation tax, but did nothing to get rid of the 15% excise tax. That means, on top of any other taxes, like sales tax, cannabis is automatically going to be about 15% higher when coming from a legal location. The changes have done almost nothing to help the state’s industry, which posted losses for the first time in 2022. The state’s next move now? To root out corruption, rather than simply stop unnecessary taxes (much relating to sin taxes).

The ketamine market is experiencing a similar issue. Let’s remember, ketamine gets about the same result as magic mushrooms; it’s a comparable treatment. Unlike magic mushrooms, the industry operates in a gray market. The drug can be prescribed and used legally for pain and emotional issues throughout the US, as off-label uses; but the industry doesn’t get the heavy excise taxes of ‘legal’ industries like weed and mushrooms. As a Schedule III substance, its also not beholden to Section 280E restrictions on deductions.

Even so, the idea of greed is heavy, and what could have been a cheaply-priced industry, instead charges several hundred for a single treatment, and often groups them together in packages that cost thousands. This is still (sometimes) less than mushroom therapy, but its high enough that this industry is having grave issues with sustainability, due to the high costs. And in this case, without the same overhead factors (though it does have to bow to other medical regulation). This should have been a lesson for the magic mushroom industry.

Ketamine Industry Shows Expensive Treatments Unsustainable

The ketamine reality is that according to the site drugs.com, you can get 200ml for $167.80, and this is 10mg per ml. Most people require about .1-.5mg/kg for a treatment, so if a person weighs 160 lbs, that converts to about 72.5kg. If the person requires on the higher end, it would mean something like 36.25mg, roughly 3.5 ml. Which means that 200ml is good for many, many treatments (like more than 50). And that means the costs in a clinic, are laughable at best.

Conclusion

What should we realistically expect from magic mushroom industries like the new expensive one starting up in Oregon? If it’s anything like its predecessors cannabis and ketamine, probably not what industry officials are hoping for. In fact, it’ll probably just empower the black market. And whereas with weed, maybe some excuses could be made; this time around, the lack of ability for this to work, is squarely on regulators for not learning from the past.

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Nebraska Might Catch Up with Medical Cannabis Ballot

The conversations regarding cannabis and the US, are usually about which state is about to pass a recreational measure, or where the federal government is with legalization. But for a few choice states, there is still no cannabis allowance at all. Like Nebraska, which is only now getting its stuff together for a medical cannabis ballot in 2024.

The news on Nebraska

Nebraska might not be the leader among us when it comes to cannabis reform, but it’s within the process, and might be making a big jump soon. As a representative of the ‘other side’ of the cannabis debate, Nebraska’s continuing attempts for medical cannabis legislation show how even in the deepest of cannabis prohibition strongholds, there is still room for update and change.

Nebraska does have a medical cannabis reform bill currently in its congress (a unicameral legislature, meaning only one house/side), which stalled-out in committee. As a way to revive the effort, Marijuana Moment reported that the group Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana (NMM) put forth two petitions to the secretary of state. They were sent over on the 18^th of May, and are meant to get a medical cannabis measure on the ballot in Nebraska for 2024 elections.

Nebraska might not have come far yet, but this push is not new. These petitions are the third attempt at getting a voter ballot for the residents of the state to decide, instead of their government. In 2020, for the first attempt, enough signatures were collected for inclusion on the ballot, but the Supreme Court of the state invalidated the effort by saying it broke the single subject rule.

Nebraska will possibly have medical cannabis ballot

Many states have this rule, and it requires that ballots not ask people to vote on more than one thing at once. This does make sense in that it doesn’t require a person to vote for something they don’t want, in order to vote for something else they do want, which is attached. In 2022, the group lost important funding, and as a result, was not able to collect enough signatures for the ballot that year.

NMM ‘s co-chair Crista Eggers had this to say in a press release: “We have no choice but to keep petitioning our government. The Legislature refuses to act despite the will of over 80 percent of Nebraskans (from all parties, regions, ages, etc) supporting this.” She continued that “For over 10 years we’ve advocated, educated and fought, trying to do it the right way, though our elected leaders in the Unicameral, and every year we come up empty handed. So we will go to the ballot once again.”

The current bill, which is languishing in committee, was written by democrat Sen. Anna Wishart. Her bill for medical cannabis legalization got a hearing in the legislature’s Judiciary Committee in February, but has not moved since that time. Though Wishart says this is likely from turnover and changes in the legislature, a similar measure also died in the legislature via a filibuster. It sounds like Eggers has the right idea at this point of going around the legislature.

The Cost of Getting Caught with Weed – Even Now

In response to her own bill’s situation, and a possible ballot measure, Wishart said, “Of course we are filing again. The way to succeed is to never give up and every time we hit a setback we grow stronger.” It’s good to know that if legislation can’t get through the legislature, that there is another route by way of signature collection and ballot measures.

What would Nebraska medical cannabis ballot measure entail?

Should the ballot measure make it through, what can Nebraskans expect to vote on? Two different initiatives were submitted. The first would make lawmakers have to legally protect doctors who prescribe cannabis to patients, and patients who then buy and use it.

The measure aims to “enact a statute that makes penalties inapplicable under state and local law for the use, possession, and acquisition of limited quantities of cannabis for medical purposes by a qualified patient with a written recommendation from a health care practitioner, and for a caregiver to assist a qualified patient in these activities.”

Cannabis medicine

The second petition pertains to the creation of a new Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission. This commission would regulate the medical cannabis industry in the state. Its job? To create “necessary registration and regulation of persons that possess, manufacture, distribute, deliver, and dispense cannabis for medical purposes.”

According to what Wishart told Marijuana Moment, the new petitions are “same as the language in 2022,” and that they “will go through a process with the SOS in which they review legally.” In order to evade the problem of 2020, and the issue of more than one subject covered in a ballot measure, the current petitions have a very narrow focus.

Submitting the petitions is just the first of many steps. In order for Nebraska to allow the medical cannabis ballot measure to go before voters in the election, it must first collect approximately 87,000 signatures, which then are validated. This must be done for each petition, and they must be turned in by July 5th, 2024. This gives the group over a year from now to collect the signatures.

Gallup Poll: Negative Opinions on Weed, Come from Those Who Never Tried It

Nebraska and cannabis

Nebraska is one of now only a handful of states that still holds cannabis illegal, both medically and for recreational use.  It does have a decriminalization measure, however, which stems back to 1979, and makes possession of a small amount, into a civil infraction. About 10 years prior to this update, there was a different update.

The 1969 update lowered the punishment for possession of small amounts, and limited it to seven days in jail. This, of course, doesn’t say anything good about what people were subjected to prior to that update. Even for something as simple as possession of a joint.

Nebraska is so hard-core in its marijuana-hating, that in 2014, along with Oklahoma, it requested of the US’s Supreme Court, the ability to open a legal case against Colorado. What it wanted, was for the Court to nullify Colorado’s recent recreational legalization. As in, it was asking the Court to make a decision about a states rights vs federal law issue.

Recreational and medical cannabis currently illegal in Nebraska

Nebraska claimed it was angry that its own arrest rate for cannabis had increased by 11% around that time, and named Colorado and its legalization as the culprit for the increase. The state claimed the cost of law enforcement against cannabis also rose 11%, as well as causing social harm. Realistically, regardless of however this idea of ‘harm’ was calculated, the state also would have collected that much more in fines as a result, and that doesn’t come to any small amount.

The Supreme Court denied the request in 2016, and stopped the case from going further. There were, however, two dissenting judges: Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito. Luckily, their desire to see this lawsuit happen – and the mess it would cause – was crushed by the rest of the court.

There was a previous attempt at medical cannabis in the state. In 2015, a bill was proposed in the state legislature called the “Cannabis Compassion and Care Act.” The bill would have let patients with certain ailments consume either pills or liquids, but not smokables. Qualifying ailments included HIV, cancer, hepatitis, and glaucoma. Unfortunately, after initially getting traction, the bill was put on hold by its sponsor Senator Tommy Garrett. When it was reintroduced the following year, it was blocked by a Senate filibuster, and could not advance as it was three votes short.

Conservative Cannabis: Legalization Gaining Republican Support

Conclusion

It’s not a sure bet that Nebraska will have a medical cannabis ballot measure for its residents in 2024, but its looking more, and more likely. And though Nebraska is way behind most other states in cannabis reform, it does go to show that even the holdouts can eventually fall. As of right now, 38 states out of 50 have medical programs.

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Overtaxed: How the Federal Government Taxes Cannabis

It’s a subject that comes up a lot, yet with little done to show the powers-that-be understand, or are willing to make useful changes. According to Whitney Economics, the already overtaxed cannabis industry paid an additional $1.8 billion in unnecessary taxes in 2022 alone. And to the federal government, no less. Why is this happening?

How the cannabis industry is overtaxed… by the federal government

For one thing, we think of cannabis industries as state run industries, and they are. This, however, doesn’t get cannabis companies completely out of having to deal with the federal government when it comes to taxes; and this is part of the issue of the overtaxed cannabis industry. We already know that cannabis is subject to big excise taxes – much of this related to sin taxes, but there’s a whole other avenue for taxation of cannabis via the federal government. In this case, we’re looking at additional taxes to the already high tax schemes developed by the states.

According to research company Whitney Economics, via PRNewswire, the cannabis industry overpaid $1.8 billion in 2022 for additional taxes, outside of the standard tax structures applied by state governments. It predicts that for 2023, the number will increase to $2.1 billion. So, what is this extra taxation that industry operators are subject to? Any how does it relate to the federal government?

It’s called Section 280E of federal tax law. As explained by Iran Hopkins of Akerman LLP, via Bloomberg Law, even though cannabis companies operate legally under state law, ongoing federal prohibition dictates that the companies are still considered ‘traffickers’ under federal law. What is considered legal for a state, is ‘trafficking in a controlled substance’ according to the feds. This applies to any ‘plant-touching’ cannabis business.

Cannabis industry overtaxed by federal government

What does Section 280E do? Technically, the law is meant to penalize those who traffic drugs of Schedule I and II classing, in that it prevents such traffickers from making certain business expense deductions in their income tax filings. However, real traffickers aren’t likely to file taxes, and here the term relates to legal operations. Such deductions relate to what are usually considered ‘ordinary and necessary’ expenses, which means “after reducing gross receipts by cost of goods sold, or COGS, essentially” this results “in federal income tax liability calculated based on gross income, not net income.”

Basically, it effects a business’s ability to make deductions from their gross income, which can lead to an overall higher tax rate, often too big for the company to make a profit. Cannabis businesses must strongly consider their structures, and be careful with decisions about how the operations are run, in order not to get caught in this trap.

This is especially true of partnerships, where upper-level owners must deal with massive tax liabilities from the federal government, because of the industry they’re in. And while the IRS could clarify points, or make things easier, it has made no move to do so, despite these being state-legal industries.

California FINALLY Lowers Cannabis Taxes

What does this mean to an already overtaxed cannabis industry?

When we talk about how insanely high cannabis taxes are, we’re talking about measures instituted by the states in question. This issue, however, relates to a whole different problem concerning the federal government, and the ability to make deductions in an income tax filing. We know that according to Whitney, $1.8 billion was paid out in 2022 in unnecessary taxes; money that should have been writen-off as deductibles. What else does it mean?

It means when adding in all the different taxes, between the state implemented ones, and the federal laws, cannabis companies can often be subject to 70% taxes, or even higher. According to Whitney, this is also related to “the lack of banking services, anti-business regulation and lack of interstate commerce.”

All told, for 2022, only 24.4% of legal operators indicated a profit (or at least, of those surveyed). To give an idea of the trajectory of things, the prior year, a much higher 42% claimed to turn a profit.

Overtaxed cannabis industry leads to lower profits

Said Whitney’s Chief Economist Beau Whitney, “the cannabis industry is under extreme economic distress and the current regulatory and taxation environment is untenable, even in the short term.” He went on to explain that many states are already facing collapse of their industries, something that he said would have a much greater impact on small operators. He pushes that tax reform is ultimately a solution to relieve this industry stress, and the resulting lowered sales and revenue.

What Whitney proposes for the future

Whitney Economics is a leader in consulting, data, and economic research for the cannabis and hemp spaces. Based out of Portland, Oregon, the company works with private enterprises, as well as government agencies on both the state and federal level. It assists in creating reasonable policies and strategies, using economics.

As per the company’s expertise, Whitney Economics believes (by way of conducting a rescoring of tax policy) that reform of Section 280E could help cannabis operators with profitability, as well as help to increase employment and overall activity. It believes economic activity could increase by $35.2 billion, in 10 years.

The Power of Sin! How Sin Taxes Affect the Cannabis Industry

Recent issues have led industry predictions to drop in general, with a forecast for “anemic growth for the next 7 quarters.” This is along with the industry showing a decline in employment levels for the first time since the industry opened, and many states reporting lowered tax revenue.

One thing to remember, is that this particular problem of overtaxed cannabis relates to a federal tax issue, not to state taxes. It says a lot that lessening this federal burden could make such a difference. And this, in turn, begs the question of how useful getting rid of additional and unnecessary state taxes – like sin taxes, or THC taxes, or cultivation taxes – could be. Whitney didn’t focus on those factors here, just on how the federal government overtaxed the earnings of cannabis operators.

Wait…why is the federal government involved?

To be clear, when Whitney speaks of ‘excess taxes’, its referring not to direct taxes levied on a product or service. Those are the state taxes in terms of the cannabis industry, and include sales taxes, excise taxes, and sometimes other taxes like cultivation taxes or THC taxes. We discuss these taxes all the time, but never about a federal tax amount, since the federal government can’t directly tax what it sees as an illegal industry.

State and federal cannabis laws

However, that doesn’t mean the federal government doesn’t collect. After all, the federal government collects income taxes, regardless of industry. Even though the federal entity considers the cannabis industry illegal, and doesn’t tax it directly, it does tax overall income of those within it. Cannabis operators, like any other earner, must report earnings to the federal government, and pay whatever taxes are relevant for their specific companies and earning amounts. In this way, the federal government most certainly does backhandedly tax the legal state-run cannabis markets.

This is where deductions come in. Deductions are a major part of paying taxes in that they allow an individual or business to reduce their tax burden by writing off expenses. This means taking costs out of the taxable income, which lowers the amount that the federal government can take in taxes.

Deductions are used in many different categories; from the cost of rent, to the cost of employee benefits, to the cost of bank fees, and so on. If the deductions can’t be made, then the entire amount is taxed. In this case it leads to cannabis companies having to pay for expenses that other businesses can deduct to lower overall tax burden.

Cannabis Problems Part 1: Colorado and Lower Sales

It’s a bit confusing since we’re not talking about standard taxes which are applied to something; but rather, amounts deducted (or not) for taxation. No matter how you look at it, Section 280E increases the overall tax burden for cannabis companies, which is already high enough from state regulation, to crush out many companies.

Conclusion

In a way it’s almost funny. States have implemented such expensive tax structures that businesses are being driven out. And that doesn’t even account for the federal government’s part. One thing for sure is, governments of all kinds are greedy, and have made for a greatly overtaxed cannabis industry, that might not survive its overlords.

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fMRI Study Shows MDMA Might Lessen PTSD Reaction

MDMA is one of two hallucinogenic compounds that is likely to get an approval soon in the US. Mainly because of its benefits for PTSD patients. How does it do what it does? A recent study using brain imaging helps explain how MDMA might help lessen the fear response in people with PTSD. Read on for details.

Recent trial into MDMA for PTSD

In the introduction to their study, Altered brain activity and functional connectivity after MDMA-assisted therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder, researchers point out that “MDMA is hypothesized to facilitate the therapeutic process, in part, by decreasing fear response during fear memory processing while increasing extinction learning.” PTSD patients are known for dealing with excessive fear responses.

The purpose of the current study was to analyze the brain’s activity and connectivity using fMRI technology, before and after MDMA treatment. Scans were done during rest (neutral) and during an autobiographical memory response (trauma) before the administration of MDMA, and two months after. Nine veterans and first-responders were used for the study; all with chronic PTSD for at least six months.

The fMRI component allows investigators to see “changes in regional blood oxygenation over time and is thus used as a proxy for fluctuating neuronal activity.” The researchers also explain how the fMRI data can allow functional connectivity to “be assessed to infer interaction between two or more brain regions’ activity over time.” fMRI scans show metabolic activity, whereas a standard MRI creates a picture of internal structures. They are performed the same way.

fMRI image

They go on to say that “PTSD patients have shown altered functioning of the precuneus, posterior cingulate cortex (PCC), anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), insula, prefrontal and frontoparietal regions, as well as the hippocampus and amygdala.” These locations relate to “augmented recruitment of brain regions involved in self-referential processing, salient autobiographical memory, and fear and emotion.”

The study is a sub-study of a larger clinical trial; meaning the participants were already involved in a study, from which this study takes data. All participants agreed to be a part of this study as well. The larger study is a “Phase 2 randomized, double-blind, dose-response trial of MDMA-AT in veterans and first responders with severe and chronic PTSD.” Those that signed off on the sub-study, agreed to have the fMRI scans done as well.

Those that participated in the fMRI study, worked with investigators to create an auditory script about their traumatic event, as well one about an ordinary experience (typical morning routine). Each recording was six minutes, and made by the participant reading their own script. This scripts were to assess symptom provocation. All participants had an image done at baseline before the MDMA treatment, and then two-months after the final session.

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Study results

Though researchers had thought MDMA-AT would increase functional connectivity in the amygdala-hippocampus during the resting state, they only found this to be the case on the left side of each. They also found lessened activation contrast in the cuneus, after treatment with MDMA.

They detail how the amount a person recovered after the MDMA treatment, was correlated to change in four different ways during autobiographical memory recall. These relate to the functional connectivity in four different areas.

They state that “Amygdala—insular functional connectivity is reliably implicated in PTSD and anxiety, and both regions are impacted by MDMA administration.” And that “These findings compliment previous research indicating that amygdala, hippocampus, and insula functional connectivity is a potential target of MDMA-AT, and highlights other regions of interest related to memory processes.”

MDMA is currently researched for PTSD

The investigators measured and compared the whole brain’s activation by the scripts, both at the baseline, and two months after MDMA treatment. They found that before the MDMA, there were larger levels of activation for the traumatic script than the neutral one, in four separate areas of the brain. Post-MDMA treatments, the magnitude of difference between the activation levels, was much smaller.

Researchers also looked at functional connectivity between 18 different brain regions of interest during the fMRI, comparing the traumatic and neutral experiences. According to their research, none showed significant change after corrections for multiple comparisons. However, before the corrections, there was significant modification in the right amygdala to left caudal ACC.

When researchers correlated individual changes from before and after MDMA treatment of these functional connections, with individual reductions in CAPS-IV scores (evaluation test for PTSD symptoms), “Most correlations were positive, meaning that larger reductions in connectivity from pre- to post-therapy corresponded to larger improvements in PTSD symptoms.”

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They found the four most significant changes following comparison corrections, were: left amygdala and left PCC, left amygdala and right PCC, left amygdala and left insula, and left isthmus cingulate and left hippocampal tail.

Researchers conclude, “We also provide preliminary evidence that MDMA-AT alters brain response during symptom provocation in regions associated with fear response, anxiety, self-referential processing, and salient autobiographical memory, and are commonly found to be hyperactive in PTSD patients.”

What is PTSD?

Post-traumatic stress disorder is a psychiatric disorder, which is diagnosed subjectively, but based on criteria in the DSM-V. All psychiatric disorders are diagnosed in this way, as there is no specific test to define these issues. A medical diagnosis is a diagnosis based on information verified through some kind of test or investigation. Unfortunately, psychiatric disorders don’t have this, and therefore are made at the discretion of the individual doctor.

MDMA study into PTSD

I like to mention this, because it does play into the idea that doctors often disagree, or have their own opinions that they go by. Because of this, any patient can receive multiple different diagnoses for the same set of symptoms. Which also means, when looking at psychiatric disorders, since no testing is available, they are based 100% on symptoms and observable behavior.

In the case of PTSD, this relates to symptoms and behaviors experienced after a traumatic event, whether it was experienced directly or indirectly (witnessed, heard about…) Though there are countless scenarios that can bring on PTSD symptoms, some of the more common ones include: physical attacks, being the target of bullying or psychological abuse, being a part of or witnessing the atrocities of war, and natural disasters. PTSD can be quite debilitating in some sufferers, making it difficult to perform regular life functions.

In WWI this was called ‘shell shock.’ In WWII it was known as ‘battle fatigue.’ It is associated with the idea of re-experiencing an intense trauma, after the incident occurred. This can happen at different frequencies for different sufferers, and is often set off by a trigger; something that works to remind the person of this past trauma. Sufferers might experience nightmares or flashbacks, and feelings of sadness, fear, anger, detachment, and estrangement.

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Psychiatry.com says that about 3.5% of American adults have PTSD, and that 1/11 will experience it at some point during life. Women outnumber men with this condition at a rate of 2:1. In America, the largest groups to suffer from PTSD are Latinos, Native American, and African Americans. This is likely from the extreme violence, intolerance, and general negative treatment suffered by these populations throughout American history.

Not only is MDMA undergoing testing now for PTSD, it was a point of research in the past, following Alexander Shulgin’s new way to formulate it in the 1970s. Beyond PTSD, its also under investigation for some sexual disorders; particularly related to sex drive. The company MAPS was given a Breakthrough Therapy designation for its MDMA drug currently in trials for PTSD. And the state of Colorado already legalized the drug pre-emptively, which goes into effect upon a federal legalization. All this is to say that MDMA is definitely getting a lot of attention these days; for PTSD and beyond.

Conclusion

Most studies thus far with hallucinogens (and other drugs) involve self-report of symptoms on different measures, or observation of behaviors; as the main ways to assess therapeutic change. The interesting thing about this study is that it uses actual brain imaging to understand how the brain changes and reacts differently, after use of MDMA. Perhaps we will see more intensive investigations like this in the future. For now, we have a little more to go on regarding the use of MDMA to treat PTSD symptoms.

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