EILISH O’REGAN

20 May 2026

A report reveals a growing number of people are being treated for new psychoactive drugs and ketamine use, while cocaine recovery demand is at an all-time high.

Last year’s Health Research Board report on drug treatment in Ireland documented 15,422 cases receiving therapy for problematic drug use.

Cocaine remains Ireland’s most commonly treated drug, excluding alcohol. There were 6,535 cocaine treatment cases, the highest recorded to date.

Last year, powder cocaine treatment demand surged by 21% to 834 cases, while crack cocaine treatment demand rose by 31%.

Cocaine continues to be the primary problem drug for over half of new treatment cases and more than one-third of previously treated cases.

However, treatment rehab for new psychoactive substances saw a remarkable 50% increase last year, rising from 170 cases in 2024 to 256. These drugs have experienced a nearly six-fold increase in recovery need since 2020, when 43 cases were reported.

The most commonly reported synthetic cannabinoid-type drugs include hexahydrocannabinol (HHC).

Vaping has become a popular method of using synthetic cannabinoids.

Since 2017, there has been a staggering 336% increase in cases receiving treatment for cocaine as their primary problem drug. Over this period, powder cocaine treatment demand rose by 282% and crack cocaine treatment demand increased by 906%.

The number of women seeking cocaine treatment has almost sevenfold increased from 284 cases in 2017 to 1,912 last year.

Opioids, particularly heroin, were the second most commonly reported main problem drug for treatment. Cannabis was the third most common, mirroring previous years.

Senior researcher Dr Anne Marie Carew noted: “Many findings from our 2025 report align with 2024. For instance, we observe a sustained rise in demand for cocaine treatment.

“However, we’re also seeing early signs of emerging drug trends, particularly new psychoactive substances and ketamine. While the numbers are still small, these trends are significant and will be closely monitored.”

The report revealed that in 2025 the median age for those entering treatment was 35. Cannabis was the primary problem drug for those aged 19 or under, cocaine for those aged 20-44 and opioids for those aged 45 and over. This highlights the ageing cohort of opioid users who continue to require treatment.

Social disadvantage remains a persistent feature of treatment demand, with a substantial proportion of cases experiencing unemployment and homelessness. This underscores the links between social and economic inequalities.

Cannabis, cocaine, alcohol and benzodiazepines were the most frequently reported additional drugs.

Health Research Board chief executive Dr Gráinne Gorman stated: “While this new report further indicates the continued dominance of cocaine use in Irish society, it also represents increased investment in publicly funded drug treatment services. This means they are now available to more people struggling with problem drug use.”

https://www.pressreader.com/category/health/en/gb?popupArticleId=281599542143150

• Research tracking 810 Danish children found no evidence that prenatal cannabis exposure harmed cognitive or language development by age three, contrary to researchers' initial hypothesis.

Children exposed to cannabis in the womb do not show signs of impaired cognitive or language development by age three, according to new research that challenges concerns about prenatal cannabis use.

The study, published in the journal Early Human Development, found that children with prenatal cannabis exposure actually scored higher on language assessments than unexposed children, and performed equally well on cognitive tests.

Recent data shows that past-month cannabis use amongst pregnant women in the US has grown from 3.8% in 2002 to 7% in 2017, and daily use during pregnancy increased from 0.9% to 3.5% in the same period.

This prompted the multi-national team of researchers from King’s College London, Cambridge University, Aalborg University, and the University of Oslo to hypothesise that children exposed to cannabis while developing in the womb would develop cognitive and language issues by the age of three.

The study analysed data from Danish families registered with Familieambulatorier (Family outreach clinics), which continuously monitor children of families deemed vulnerable or high-risk from early pregnancy until the child reaches school age.

The cohort consisted of 810 Danish children born between the years of 2009 and 2015 who were not diagnosed with conditions such as foetal alcohol syndrome or epilepsy, as these conditions would negatively affect the outcome of language and cognitive assessments.

Children were split into four groups, based on their exposure during gestation. 106 (13%) were exposed to cannabis only, 138 (17%) were exposed to tobacco only, 112 (14%) were exposed to both, and 454 (56%) were registered as not being exposed to either substance.

Researchers found that children with prenatal cannabis exposure achieved a higher Bayley-III Language scale score of 3.26-points than those in the group who were not exposed to cannabis, and they found that exposure to tobacco did not worsen this outcome.

Language scores were seen to rise slightly more within all three of the exposed groups in the cohort than the non-exposed control group as the children got older, although the researchers made it clear that this data could hold “limited clinical significance”.

The study also revealed that children within all three of the exposed groups in the cohort performed as well as children in the unexposed control group on the Bayley-III Cognitive scale assessment.

“The current study is, to the authors’ knowledge, the first to investigate the association between prenatal co-exposure to cannabis and tobacco, relative to either drug alone, and cognitive and language outcomes in young children,” the study said.

“Contrary to our pre-registered hypotheses, children with prenatal cannabis exposure had higher scores on the Bayley-III Language scale, and children with prenatal exposure to cannabis and tobacco had a greater age-related increase in language scores, compared with the other groups. There were no group differences on the Bayley-III Cognitive scale. In short, we found no evidence that prenatal exposure to cannabis was associated with impaired cognitive or language development, and no evidence that the combination of cannabis and tobacco was associated with worse outcomes compared with either drug alone, in this sample of high-risk children.”

These new findings are similar to those of a previous study, which found that children exposed in utero to cannabis had better developmental scores at age two than those who weren’t exposed, although this difference had disappeared by the following year’s assessments.

The authors of the current study stressed that their findings do not mean cannabis is safe to consume during pregnancy, and that it is “unlikely” that doing so causes children to have better cognitive or language skills than those who were not exposed. Their findings, they say, could be linked to the familial and societal environments the children are brought up in.

“It is unclear why children in the cannabis and cannabis + tobacco groups were slightly better off on language development compared with the other groups. We consider it unlikely that this was due to a salutary effect of cannabis on neurocognitive development and speculate instead that this could have to do with unmeasured factors that may have differentiated the family and social environments of children in the four groups,” the study said.

https://www.leafie.co.uk/news/children-exposed-cannabis-womb-no-signs-impaired-brain-development/

May 22, 2026

Cannabis Europa London returns on 26-27 May 2026, bringing together operators, investors, clinicians, and policymakers from across the global cannabis industry for two days of main-stage debate, exhibition, and networking. This article is part of a series published by Business of Cannabis ahead of the event, drawing on the perspectives of Cannabis Europa’s leading sponsors and speakers — the figures setting the commercial, clinical, and regulatory agenda for cannabis in Europe and beyond.

Carmen Doran is Chair of the New Zealand Medical Cannabis Council (NZMCC), and Rawiri Manawatu is a representative of Ngai Tahu, one of New Zealand’s largest Māori iwi. Both form part of the New Zealand delegation at Cannabis Europa London, where New Zealand Trade and Enterprise is making its case to European operators, investors and clinicians. Business of Cannabis spoke to them ahead of the event.

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New Zealand has built a distinctive medical cannabis regulatory framework. For European operators and investors looking at the Pacific market, what is the single most important thing they currently misunderstand or overlook?

 Carmen Doran:

“One of the biggest misconceptions is that New Zealand is simply a small domestic market at the edge of the world. In reality, New Zealand has deliberately built a highly pharmaceutical-grade regulatory framework that aligns closely with international GMP expectations and positions the sector for export credibility from day one.

“What is often overlooked is the sophistication and agility of the ecosystem. Because the market is smaller, operators, regulators, clinicians and industry bodies work relatively closely together, allowing New Zealand to move quickly, maintain high standards and adapt pragmatically as the industry evolves. That combination of regulatory credibility and collaborative culture is something many larger markets struggle to achieve.”

What does New Zealand genuinely offer that European cannabis markets cannot easily replicate – in terms of cultivation, product quality, regulatory design, or something else entirely?

Carmen Doran:

“New Zealand offers a unique combination of agricultural expertise, innovation capability and trusted international reputation.

“The country already has strong experience operating in highly regulated export industries including food, horticulture and biotechnology, which translates strongly into medicinal cannabis. We also have a strong innovation and start-up ecosystem, particularly in the health and wellness space, with companies used to solving problems creatively and bringing new technologies and products to market quickly.

“From a cultivation perspective, New Zealand’s climate, biosecurity advantages and reputation for clean, sustainable production are important differentiators. But perhaps the hardest thing to replicate is the ability for industry, government and research communities to collaborate relatively effectively in a small and connected ecosystem. That creates opportunities for innovation and product development that can move faster than in many larger jurisdictions.”

Carmen Doran, Chair of the New Zealand Medical Cannabis Council

Rawiri Manawatu:

“What Aotearoa New Zealand offers is not simply a cultivation environment – it is a deep connection between people, place and plant medicine that has existed for generations.

“My iwi (tribe) Ngāti Kurī / Ngāi Tahu have cultivated and worked with rongoā (plant medicines) for centuries, guided by mātauranga Māori (tribal knowledge) and a relationship with Te Taiao the natural world. That knowledge has been protected and passed down through generations.

“Our farm sits between the mountains and the sea, in a place of deep cultural significance to my people. For us, this is more than a cultivation site – it is home, whakapapa (genealogy), and the living presence of our ancestors. The sunlight, soil, fresh ocean air and alpine water all contribute to the mauri (life force) within our cannabis medicines.

“That connection is difficult to replicate in large-scale industrial cultivation systems. Many markets can produce cannabis, but very few can produce plant medicines so deeply connected to provenance, environmental purity and cultural identity.

“New Zealand also combines these natural advantages with one of the world’s most trusted regulatory and quality frameworks. International markets know New Zealand for integrity, environmental stewardship and high production standards. In medicinal cannabis, trust matters enormously.

“For us, cannabis is not a commodity. It is a taonga (treasure), something to be nurtured with care and respect. Our aspiration is to share our story globally as an offering that carries the history of our people, our place and our knowledge.

“Ultimately, what New Zealand offers is more than premium product quality. It offers authenticity, provenance and a medicine deeply connected to the land. In a rapidly commercialising global industry, that human and cultural connection is becoming increasingly rare – and increasingly valuable.”

READ MORE…

• Voices of Cannabis Europa: Carmen Doran, Chair of the NZMCC, & Rawiri Manawatu, representative of Ngai Tahu
• Voices of Cannabis Europa: Nora Rossini, Scientific Affairs Manager, Linnea
• Voices of Cannabis Europa: Rebecca Allen Tapp, Product Manager, Paralab Green 

How do you see the relationship between New Zealand operators and the European market developing over the next two to three years – as suppliers, partners or competitors?

Carmen Doran:

“Primarily as partners. New Zealand is unlikely to compete on sheer scale against some established global cultivation markets, but it is very well positioned as a trusted supplier of high-quality medicinal products, specialised genetics, R&D capability and innovation partnerships.

“Over the next few years, I expect to see stronger relationships develop around clinical research, manufacturing partnerships, IP development and supply agreements into Europe, particularly as European markets continue to mature and diversify beyond commodity flower.

“There is also growing recognition that resilient global supply chains benefit from geographic diversity. New Zealand’s counter-seasonal production capability and stable regulatory environment make it an attractive long-term partner within that global ecosystem.”

Rawiri Manawatu:

“We see the future relationship with Europe being built first and foremost on whakawhanaungatanga (strong and enduring relationships).

“In the near term, New Zealand operators, will enter European markets as trusted suppliers of premium medicinal cannabis products. Markets such as the UK and Germany are growing rapidly and are seeking consistent, high-quality medicines with strong provenance and regulatory credibility.

“But ultimately, we believe lasting relationships are built on trust, shared values and genuine connection.

“For Māori, partnership is deeply important. The concept of kotahitanga (unity and working together) is central to how we approach business and collaboration. We see significant opportunities to partner with European distributors, manufacturers and clinics in ways that create long-term value for patients and the wider industry.

“We bring not only premium product, but also indigenous knowledge, environmental understanding and generations of experience cultivating plant medicines. We want to contribute meaningfully to the global industry while remaining grounded in the values and identity that define who we are.

“There will naturally be more competition as the European market matures, but as Māori we do not see partnership and competition as opposing ideas. We believe it is possible to work together in ways that are respectful, productive and mutually beneficial.

“New Zealand’s strength lies in producing differentiated cannabis medicines with a strong story of origin, sustainability and quality – products that patients and prescribers trust.

“For us, success is not measured only by exports or market share. It is about creating something our people can be proud of – sharing a product with the world that reflects our whenua, our culture and the values handed down by our ancestors.”

https://businessofcannabis.com/voices-of-cannabis-europa-carmen-doran-chair-of-the-nzmcc-rawiri-manawatu-representative-of-ngai-tahu/

Canadian producers shipped 17,067kg of medical cannabis directly to the UK in 2025, more than six times the 2,578kg recorded the year before, according to the latest official Home Office data seen by Business of Cannabis.

It comes as the total amount of cannabis flower being imported into the UK more than doubled in 2025 to 30,062kg, up from 14,992kg recorded in 2024, marking the highest annual figure in the market’s history.

Rather than pointing to a dramatic increase in Canadian cannabis imports, which have dominated European markets since the sector first emerged nearly a decade ago, this data points to a dramatic restructuring of supply chains.

As we reported in March 2025, up until last year, the UK had imported more medical cannabis from Spain than from any other country. While data on the origin country of this product is unavailable, it’s understood that the bulk of this cannabis came from Canada to be processed in Spain, Portugal and other European states before heading to the UK.

That dynamic is quickly shifting, as Canadian producers increasingly process their own products in domestic EU-GMP facilities and send flower in bulk directly, cutting out the middleman.

Prohibition Partners has analysed this data in granular detail and will be publishing a new report in the coming days, while presenting the data and analysis during Cannabis Europa London 2026.

Alex Khourdaji, Lead Analyst at Prohibition Partners, said: “The growth underscores the dominance of the Canadian medical cannabis supply, driven by excess production, tight domestic margins and Canadian licensed producers’ international expansion strategies.”

26–27 May 2026 · Barbican, London Cannabis Europa Two days of policy, capital and clinical strategy at the Barbican — convening operators, investors, regulators and clinicians from across the European cannabis market.

Reading the numbers​

The FOI figures, secured by Prohibition Partners and Business of Cannabis (dated 10 April 2026), cover dried cannabis flower (flos) preparations classified as unlicensed specials. They do not include extract products, Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients, or any imports from the Crown Dependencies.

As previously noted, the data records the country from which a shipment was processed and exported to the UK, rather than necessarily the country where cannabis was originally cultivated.

The raw 2023 total (26,973kg) risks obscuring the underlying trend. According to the data, Finland supplied 20,113kg across the first two quarters of 2023 alone, in two near-identical batches of approximately 10,056kg each, before disappearing entirely from the data; no imports from Finland appear in either 2024 or 2025.

Prohibition Partners has previously noted that Finland does not export medical cannabis and excluded those volumes from its own analysis. Setting those shipments aside, the adjusted 2023 baseline falls to approximately 6,860kg, consistent with a market that has roughly doubled in volume for two consecutive years.

On a quarterly basis, the acceleration within 2025 is even more pronounced. Imports rose from 5,285kg in Q1 to 11,810kg in Q4, a 123% increase across the year, with direct Canadian shipments accounting for 7,839kg of that final quarter figure alone.

Khourdaji suggested that this pattern pointed to a structural shift in how the market was being supplied: “The data suggests a move from incremental, clinic-led growth to larger, wholesale-driven procurement cycles and stronger inventory build-ups towards the end of the year.”

The Home Office notes that 2025 data remains provisional and may be subject to adjustment upon completion of the INCB Annual Returns process, which concludes 30 June 2026.

READ MORE…​

• Germany’s Post-CanG Import Surge Loses Steam as Q4 Growth Stalls​
• The Battle for Germany’s Medical Cannabis Market: Who’s Fighting for What​
• What Is Really Going on in the UK’s Medical Cannabis Market? (New 2025 Data Analysis)​

A shifting supply chain​

The growth in direct Canadian shipments has coincided with a decline in volumes from Spain and Germany, countries whose imports have historically included Canadian-origin product processed and packaged before export to the UK.

Spain shipped 3,517kg in 2023 and remained the leading processing hub through early 2025. When Business of Cannabis last reported on UK import data in March 2025, Spain had already shipped close to a tonne in Q1 of that year.

Spain’s quarterly volumes fell from 1,591kg in Q1 2025 to 1,176kg in Q2, 490kg in Q3, and 161kg in Q4, as direct Canadian shipments expanded rapidly in the second half of the year. Spain’s full-year 2025 total of 3,417kg represented 11.4% of total imports.

Germany supplied 1,014kg in 2023 and 1,963kg in 2024, but fell back to 1,404kg in 2025.

Portugal moved in the opposite direction, growing from 384kg in 2023 to 2,466kg in 2024 and 3,971kg in 2025. South Africa recorded the most consistent growth of any supplier outside Canada and Portugal, rising from 42kg in 2023 to 421kg in 2024 and 1,345kg in 2025.

Three countries shipped dried medical cannabis flower to the UK for the first time in 2025. Switzerland supplied 354kg across the year, the Czech Republic 142kg, and Greece 105kg. Israel, which had supplied trace quantities in both prior years, grew to 186kg.

The 14 source countries recorded in 2025, up from 11 in 2024, reflect the continued maturation of international supply chains into the UK market.

What comes next​

The Q4 2025 run rate, if sustained, implies annual imports of approximately 47,000kg in 2026. Whether that trajectory holds will depend on whether the large, wholesale-scale procurement patterns visible in H2 2025 continue, or whether Q4 represented inventory build-up ahead of anticipated demand.

Prohibition Partners’ UK Medical Cannabis Market Update 2026 examines what the import figures mean for market structure, competitive dynamics, and the supply chain outlook through 2030, including a full analysis of re-export channels and Canada’s estimated true share of UK supply.

Data source: UK Home Office. Data covers dried cannabis flower (flos) preparations classified as unlicensed specials only. Crown Dependencies excluded.

The post UK Medical Cannabis Imports Hit 30 Tonnes as Canadian Producers Bypass European Processors appeared first on Business of Cannabis.

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Canada is preparing to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup alongside the United States and Mexico, an event expected to draw millions of viewers and hundreds of thousands of visitors.

For most industries, it represents a once-in-a-generation marketing opportunity. But for cannabis companies, the conversation is much more complicated.

Unlike alcohol brands, which have long tied themselves to sports, concerts, and major cultural events, cannabis companies in Canada operate under a much more stringent set of rules. The result is an industry that often finds itself culturally adjacent to major events without being able to participate in them directly.

Still, that hasn’t stopped some brands from seeking creative ways to engage consumers during globally relevant moments.

https://www.cannabisculture.com/content/2026/05/19/strict-rules-keep-canadian-cannabis-brands-on-the-world-cup-sidelines/

Whole-plant cannabis extract outperforms THC in metabolic study

Key discovery: Whole-plant cannabis extract reversed metabolic impairments in obese mice, while THC alone did not improve glucose regulation despite similar weight loss.

Why it matters: The study suggests non-THC cannabis compounds may regulate metabolism, offering potential new approaches to treating obesity and type 2 diabetes.

Next steps: Researchers aim to isolate non-psychoactive compounds for targeted therapies, emphasizing the need for further preclinical and human studies.

References

Cannabis compounds beyond THC may help reverse metabolic problems during weight loss | Medical Xpress
Beyond THC: Full Cannabis Extract Improves Glucose Levels | Labroots
Cannabis compounds may improve metabolism and reduce diabetes risk | News-Medical.Net
Cannabis compounds may boost metabolic health while supporting weight loss | News - University of California, Riverside
Cannabis Extract vs THC: Metabolic Health Differences | cedclinic.com
New Calif. study finds evidence cannabis could treat obesity, diabetes | SFGATE

https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/other/whole-plant-cannabis-extract-outperforms-thc-in-metabolic-study/ss-AA23f3PJ?ocid=BingNewsBrowse#image=1

Even as the Trump administration recently finalized a medical marijuana rescheduling rule—and the president has pushed to maintain the legal status for full-spectrum CBD—the U.S. Army is making clear that it views all forms of cannabis and its derivatives as dangerous drugs that soldiers are banned from using.

In a blog post on Thursday, officials with Army’s Directorate of Prevention, Resilience and Readiness reiterated the military branch’s position that even CBD products such as infused creams and gummies “can pose serious risks to Soldiers and mission readiness.”

While CBD is “often perceived as a non-intoxicating alternative to marijuana,” Army policy stipulates that the cannabinoid is “not permitted.” All forms of cannabis—including marijuana, hemp and “all cannabinoid-containing products”—are banned under Army Regulation 600-85 “regardless of how they are marketed or consumed,” the article cautioned. States that permit the use of marijuana or hemp don’t change that policy, either.

Col. Kevin Goke, deputy director at the Army Directorate of Prevention, Resilience and Readiness, said the Department of War’s (formerly known as the Department of Defense) policy “keeps the Army community healthy and workplaces drug-free.”

“Soldiers are able to perform their duties to the fullest extent while maintaining the high standards required to defend the nation,” he said

Andrea Donoghue, program manager for the Army Substance Abuse Program, added that the “relationship between hemp, marijuana and CBD can be confusing, sparking debate on lethality and legality.” But in all cases, the military branch maintains a blanket ban that comprises everything from hemp-derived CBD to natural delta-9 THC in marijuana to synthetic cannabinoids that are “designed to mimic THC.”

Army has additionally expressed concern about the proliferation of intoxicating cannabinoids such as delta-8 THC that can be synthesized from hemp-derived CBD.

“Even common hemp items containing CBD, such as vape juices, food, hair care products, oils, lotions and other cosmetics, are prohibited for Soldiers as they can lead to positive drug tests and jeopardize military careers. Additionally, products labeled as ‘THC-free’ are not always reliable, as they may be inaccurately labeled or lack consistent quality control.”

“For Soldiers, the only safe and compliant path is to avoid these products entirely,” Donoghue said.

The post on Army’s website goes on to say that “all types of cannabinoids can pose risks to both physical and mental readiness.”

“Soldiers who use these products risk testing positive for THC and other banned substances,” it said, adding that positive drug tests for such drugs “can result in disciplinary action including loss of rank or loss of employment and benefits” under military code.

“Regardless of state legality or commercial availability, the Army treats these products the same. This zero-tolerance approach protects Soldiers, maintains a drug-free force and ensures mission readiness,” Donoghue said. “The Army’s goal is to build a healthy, ready and resilient force, recognizing that peak performance comes from fitness, mental toughness, proper nutrition and responsible choices. This commitment ensures Soldiers are prepared to perform at their highest level and accomplish the mission.”

Goke added that the “key takeaway for service members remains the significant risk posed by the unregulated consumer market, where THC contamination in commercial products is a documented and persistent problem.”

“Therefore, until these products are regulated with the same rigor as pharmaceuticals, Army policy AR 600-85’s zero-tolerance stance remains absolute to protect our Soldiers’ careers and ensure mission readiness,” he said.

Army officials concluded by stressing that “possession and use of cannabinoids, whether hemp-based or synthetic, is banned.” And while life in the military “can be challenging,” the use of cannabis or other drugs to relax, sleep or manage stress is a “sign to check in.” That could involve a participating in the Army’s substance misuse program, which is “available to help, not punish.”

The branch’s reaffirmation of its cannabis-related code for soldiers comes just months after the Army updated guidance making it so recruits will no longer need to obtain a waiver to enlist if they have a single conviction for possessing marijuana or drug paraphernalia on their records.

The updated regulations, which will also raise the maximum age for recruits from 35 to 42, are generally meant to expand eligibility opportunities for service in the military. And removing the marijuana waiver requirement for single possession offenses could significantly widen the candidate pool as laws around cannabis continue to evolve at the state and federal level.

When it comes to drug policy around use for active duty servicemembers, however, Army has generally been consistent.

In 2024, for example, Army specifically updated its drug policy to clarify that soldiers are prohibited from using intoxicating hemp cannabinoid products like delta-8 THC. It is further cautioned servicemembers against eating foods containing poppyseeds, which can produce false positives when testing for opioids.

The military branch’s prior policy enacted in 2020 made clear that the “use of products made or derived from hemp,” even if it’s legal for civilians, is prohibited for soldiers. But that guidance came before delta-8 and other intoxicating cannabinoids became a mainstream feature of the largely unregulated cannabis market.

Instead, the Army at the time focused on non-intoxicating CBD, which servicemembers are also barred from using. It remains the rule that prohibited cannabis products include those that are “injected, inhaled, or otherwise introduced into the human body; food products; transdermal patches, topical lotions and oils; soaps and shampoos; and other cosmetic products that are applied directly to the skin.”

“This provision is punitive, and violations may be subject to punishment,” it says.

The language of the earlier Army guidance seemed to apply to delta-8, even if it wasn’t explicitly mentioned, but the branch has since put the policy more clearly into writing.

Meanwhile, in a notice distributed in 2024, the Army reminded military members that former President Joe Biden’s pardons for federal marijuana possession offenses didn’t apply to violations of military drug policies.

Ever-shifting marijuana policies have prompted multiple military branches to clarify or adjust their own drug policies.

For example, amid the military’s ongoing recruiting crisis, the Navy in 2024 announced that it was expanding authority to grant waivers to recruits who arrive at boot camp and initially test positive for marijuana, instead of simply sending them home.

The change came shortly after a similar one was enacted at the Air Force, which reported in 2023 that it granted more than three times as many enlistment waivers to recruits who tested positive for THC as officials anticipated when they first expanded the waiver program in 2022.

For the Air Force in particular, this waiver program represented a notable development, as the branch instituted a policy in 2019 barring service members from using even non-intoxicating CBD, even if its derived from hemp and is therefore federally legal under the 2018 farm bill.

The Navy issued an initial notice in 2018 informing ranks that they’re barred from using CBD and hemp products no matter their legality. Then in 2020 it released an update explaining why it enacted the rule change.

In 2022, the Naval War College warned sailors and marines about new hemp products on the market, issuing a notice that said members may test positive for marijuana if they drank a Rockstar energy drink that contained hemp seed oil.

A Massachusetts base of the Air Force, meanwhile, released a notice in 2021 stating that service members can’t even bring hemp-infused products like shampoos, lotions and lip balms to the base. “Even if it’s for your pet, it’s still illegal,” the notice said.

Officials with the division also said in 2018 that it wants its members to be extra careful around “grandma’s miracle sticky buns” that might contain marijuana.

The Coast Guard has said sailors can’t use marijuana or visit state-legal dispensaries.

In 2023, the Department of Defense (DOD) said that marijuana’s active ingredient delta-9 THC is the most common substance that appears on positive drug tests for active duty military service members. The second most common is delta-8 THC, which is found in a growing number of hemp-derived products that are being made available, including in states where marijuana itself remains illegal.

One of the first attempts by the U.S. military to communicate its cannabis ban came in the form of a fake press conference in 2019, where officials took scripted questions that touched on hypotheticals like the eating cannabis-infused burritos and washing cats with CBD shampoos. That was staged around the time that DOD codified its rules around the non-intoxicating cannabinoid.

In 2024, a study found that 6 in 10 military veterans support marijuana legalization generally, while an earlier survey found more than 72 percent support among veterans for U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) doctors being able to legally recommend marijuana.

https://www.marijuanamoment.net/army-reminds-soldiers-of-zero-tolerance-marijuana-policy-warning-that-even-cbd-lotion-remains-banned/

EXERCISING for up to 610 minutes a week – 10 hours, and around four times the recom­men­ded min­imum – could give people “optimal” heart bene­fits.

Adults are cur­rently advised to do at least 150 minutes of mod­er­ate to vig­or­ous activ­ity each week – the equi­val­ent of two and a half hours of run­ning, cyc­ling or brisk walk­ing.

Now a study sug­gests achiev­ing the optimal bene­fit for the heart from exer­cise “may require sub­stan­tially higher activ­ity volumes” – equal to around 10 gym classes a week.

Sens­ible

But com­ment­at­ors said advising people to exer­cise that much is “not a sens­ible pub­lic health mes­sage”, as they urged people to con­tinue to aim for 150 minutes each week.

Experts ana­lysed data on more than 17,000 middle-aged Brit­ish adults tak­ing part in the UK BioBank study.

Research­ers from Macao Poly­tech­nic Uni­versity in China wanted to exam­ine their car­di­ores­pir­at­ory fit­ness – the max­imum rate of oxy­gen the body can absorb and uses dur­ing intense exer­cise. This meas­ure­ment, known as VO2 max, was taken dur­ing a cycle test. People wore fit­ness track­ers for a week to record typ­ical exer­cise levels. The group of adults, with an aver­age age of 57, were tracked for an aver­age eight years.

Dur­ing this time there were 1,233 so-called car­di­ovas­cu­lar events includ­ing heart attacks and strokes.

Research­ers con­cluded that meet­ing the cur­rent phys­ical activ­ity guidelines of 150 minutes each week was linked to lower­ing a per­son’s odds of suf­fer­ing such an event by 8% to 9%.

But higher volumes of exer­cise led to lower­ing risk even fur­ther. The authors said in the Brit­ish Journal of Sports Medi­cine: “Future guidelines may need to dif­fer­en­ti­ate between the min­imal mod­er­ate-to-vig­or­ous phys­ical activ­ity volume required for a basic safety mar­gin and the sub­stan­tially higher volumes neces­sary for optimal car­di­ovas­cu­lar risk reduc­tion.”

But Aiden Doherty, pro­fessor of bio­med­ical inform­at­ics at Oxford Uni­versity, said: “This is not a sens­ible pub­lic health mes­sage. The pub­lic should con­tinue to aim for at least 150 minutes. More is bet­ter (but) every move counts.”

https://www.pressreader.com/category/health/en/gb?popupArticleId=281921664689906

A thyroid storm is a rare but potentially life-threatening medical emergency linked to untreated or poorly controlled hyperthyroidism.

It happens when the body is suddenly overwhelmed by extremely high levels of thyroid hormones, causing major strain on the heart, brain and other organs.

Symptoms can appear quickly and become severe within a short period of time. Common warning signs include:

• Extremely fast heart rate
• High fever
• Heavy sweating
• Shaking or tremors
• Severe anxiety or agitation
• Confusion or delirium
• Diarrhoea
• Collapse or loss of consciousness

Without urgent treatment, thyroid storm can be fatal.

The condition is most often seen in people with existing hyperthyroidism, particularly if treatment has been stopped or the condition is uncontrolled. Infections, surgery, trauma, major stress or other serious illnesses can sometimes trigger it.

Doctors usually diagnose thyroid storm based on symptoms, heart rate, blood pressure and blood tests measuring thyroid hormone levels.

Treatment is started immediately, often before all test results return, because early intervention is critical. Hospital treatment may include:

• Medicines to reduce thyroid hormone production
• Beta blockers to slow the heart rate
• Fluids and supportive care
• Oxygen and monitoring
• Treatment of any infection or trigger

Long-term management of hyperthyroidism is extremely important in reducing the risk of thyroid storm.

Using female zebrafish as a model, researchers have found that aerobic exercise may influence various connections in the body to lessen the damaging health impacts of environmental nanoplastics. In the study, published in The FASEB Journal, adult female zebrafish were exposed to polystyrene nanoplastics for 21 days, with or without moderate aerobic exercise.

"Once ingested, nanoplastics may cross epithelial barriers and accumulate in multiple organs, including the liver, heart, brain, and ovary, eliciting oxidative stress, inflammation, and endocrine disruption," the authors wrote. "Among these targets, the ovary appears particularly susceptible, yet the mechanisms underlying nanoplastic-induced ovarian accumulation and toxicity remain poorly characterized."

Exposure to nanoplastics alone caused significant ovarian accumulation of particle-like structures, elevated oxidative stress, increased follicular cell death, and disrupted reproductive hormones. It also induced anxiety- and depression-like behaviors in tank and shoaling tests, accompanied by elevated stress hormone levels. In contrast, concurrent aerobic exercise lessened these effects.

Investigators also found that aerobic exercise counteracted gut microbe imbalances caused by nanoplastics. Analyses linked these microbial shifts to enhanced fatty acid and tryptophan metabolism, which correlated with improved neuroendocrine health.

The findings indicate that aerobic exercise may mitigate nanoplastic-induced neuroendocrine dysfunction via gut–ovary–brain connections.

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-05-aerobic-lessen-health-effects-exposure.html?utm_source=nwletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=daily-nwletter

JUST one in three Bri­tons real­ise they can reduce their risk of devel­op­ing demen­tia – des­pite most wor­ry­ing about get­ting it.

A poll showed 59 per cent of adults fear dia­gnosis and 43 per cent often look for symp­toms.

And up to 20 per cent worry about it when they simply for­get something, such as their keys or a name. Research shows around half of demen­tia cases could be pre­ven­ted or delayed by address­ing 14 risk factors – but only a third of people believe this is pos­sible.

Many recog­nised risk factors such as brain injury (64 per cent), high alco­hol con­sump­tion (50 per cent) and social isol­a­tion (50 per cent).

Few could identify oth­ers includ­ing poor edu­ca­tion in early life (13 per cent), uncor­rec­ted vis­ion loss (20 per cent), hear­ing loss (25 per cent), obesity (31 per cent) and high blood pres­sure (37 per cent).

Mis­con­cep­tions about the con­di­tion also per­sist, with people wrongly link­ing demen­tia to lack of sleep (45 per cent), chem­ical expos­ure (41 per cent) and vit­amin defi­cien­cies (37 per cent), the sur­vey of 2,000 adults by OnePoll sug­gests.

The Daily Mail and Alzheimer’s Soci­ety have cre­ated the Defeat­ing Demen­tia cam­paign to raise aware­ness of the dis­ease, improve early dia­gnosis, research and health­care. Only one in nine respond­ents iden­ti­fied demen­tia as the UK’s lead­ing cause of death – 76,000 lives each year.

Demen­tia cases are pro­jec­ted to exceed one mil­lion by 2030, with one in three people born today expec­ted to develop it in their life­time.

Demonstration of algae swarming for tailored wound dressing. Credit: Science Advances (2026). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aed0994

Having a swarm of microbots moving across your body may sound like the stuff of a horror movie, but it could actually be the future of targeted drug delivery and advanced wound healing. Scientists have developed a way to use blue and red light as a remote control to assemble and disperse swarms of biohybrid microrobots that could one day transform how we treat injuries.

Details of the research are in a paper published in the journal Science Advances.

The microrobots come in two parts. The first is a living green microalga called Chlamydomonas reinhardtii (CR), which uses two tail-like structures (flagella) to swim through aquatic environments and respond to light.

The second part consists of nanoparticles made of a biodegradable plastic called PLGA. These act like tiny backpacks that can be loaded with medicine and are given a positive charge so they can attach to the algae, which has a negative charge.

In nature, CR algae are highly sensitive to light and use their flagella to swim toward or away from it to survive. Their behavior changes depending on the color of the light they encounter.

Guiding swarms of microrobots

Taking advantage of this, the researchers developed a system where they used light to guide millions of cells to split apart, merge together, and change shape on command, creating a variety of patterns like a gear and a star.

"Such reversible swarming behavior is realized by combining the wavelength-dependent assembly ability of CR and its inherent phototactic properties with light exposures through a series of different mask openings that define the desired swarm geometry," explained the study authors in their paper.

Light triggered swarming with CR microrobots. Credit: Science Advances (2026). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aed0994

To demonstrate how their innovation could work in a medical setting, the scientists tested it on a simulated wound on an artificial skin model.

They used an AI program to automatically scan the shape of the injury and project the exact patterns of light needed to guide the microrobots. These tiny medical helpers successfully carried and released drug-loaded particles to the target area.

What's next?

Looking ahead, the research team plans to upgrade their system to handle more complex medical treatments for open wounds.

In addition to their potential medical applications, they could also be used for environmental cleanup operations. "The biohybrid microrobot swarms can dynamically change their morphology, size, and position. The reversible nature of the generated swarms and their remarkable versatility and reconfigurability hold considerable promise for a myriad of possible microrobotic applications," said the researchers.

https://sciencex.com/news/2026-05-swarms-tiny-robots-revolutionize-wound.html?utm_source=nwletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=daily-nwletter