The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is offering millions of dollars to fund research on psychedelic pain treatments for older adults.
Last week, the NIH released a Notice of Funding Opportunity to collect safety and early efficacy data from psychedelic-assisted therapy for chronic pain. The first phase of studies will take a preliminary look at the safety and efficacy of treatment of older adults from the general population for up to two years. The second phase will look at the treatment of older adults with chronic pain.
According to the notice, the agency is looking to fund research on “classic psychedelics”, including psilocybin, DMT, LSD, mescaline, MDMA and synthetic versions of these drugs.
The agency said 40 percent of older Americans live with chronic pain, and that 60 to 70 percent of this group describe various types of pain in multiple areas of their bodies. The NIH said that chronic pain is associated with “substantial morbidity” due to impaired mobility, activity avoidance, depression, sleep impairment and other symptoms. Because of this, suicide ideation is three times higher among those who suffer with chronic pain compared to those who don’t.
The NIH said the studies will be necessary, because clinically authorized psychedelic therapy will “likely become widespread over the next several years.”
DeSantis Doesn’t Want Florida to “Reek”
Former presidential contender and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis last week said he plans to get involved in keeping a marijuana legalization measure off of the state’s ballot.
The governor’s remarks came during a press conference marking the beginning of Florida’s tax-free “Freedom Month.” Following criticism of the Biden administration’s performance and a separate ballot measure aimed at granting abortion rights, DeSantis implied the need for medical cannabis is overstated.
“I’m not saying none of them are legit, but some of them, clearly they’re doing it to get the card,” he said.
He also said his office would be “getting involved” with a ballot measure to legalize the drug in Florida. His main complaint with legalization seems to be that he’s offended by the smell of weed.
“I’ve talked to people that have moved from New York,and they’re like, they used to have an apartment somewhere,” he said. “Now, what does it reek of? It reeks of marijuana. I don’t want this state to be reeking of marijuana.”
Schwazze Settles Suit
Colorado-based Schwazze recently settled a wage theft class action lawsuit filed by New Mexico budtenders for $525,000.
According to Green Market Report, 20 plaintiffs were named in the suit, including 11 budtenders from New Mexico and nine from Colorado.
The original lawsuit claimed that Schwazze had violated federal and state laws by allowing managers for pooling and splitting tips left for budtenders unevenly and using tip money for all-staff meals. The suit also claimed that some managers took cash out of budtenders’ tips.Schwazze denied any wrongdoing in court and a representative did not respond to The Paper.’s request for a comment before publication.