Scientists Find New CBD Source, Louisville Gets Infused Drinks, and Scotland’s Plea for Decriminalization

Researchers found CBD in an unexpected place, infused cannabis drinks touched down in the south, and Scotland called for an end to the war on drugs.

Let’s dive into this week’s canna-news.

Brazilian Researchers Find New Source of CBD

A team of Brazilian researchers stumbled upon CBD in an unlikely place. The popular cannabis-derived substance was found in a common Brazilian plant called Treme Micrantha Blume. Though the plant contains CBD, it does not contain THC.

The discovery has the potential to change the way CBD is harvested forever. Despite its current popularity, cannabis illegality makes CBD unnecessarily difficult to cultivate. Sourcing CBD from the completely legal Treme Micrantha Blume would cut out a lot of the extra legal work.

Lead researcher Rodrigo Moura Neto said his team is looking to conduct more research to determine the best way to extract CBD from Trema. They also hope to uncover whether Trema-derived CBD is as effective as cannabis-derived CBD. Neto’s research efforts have received over $100K in funding from the Brazilian government. The Treme-CBD study is expected to take at least five years.

Delta-9 Drinks Hit the South

Louisville residents rejoice! Cannabis-infused drinks are coming to a restaurant or bar near you.

These exciting new drinks come courtesy of Louisville-based Hectare’s Cannabis Innovations. The company is looking to cater to the growing number of individuals seeking an alternative to alcohol. A recent Gallup Poll showed that the number of alcohol consumers in the U.S. has decreased by 5% since 2019.

Hectare’s Cannabis Innovations hopes to make its products enticing to experienced and new cannabis users alike. Its cannabis-infused drinks will come in a variety of sizes and packages. You’ll be able to purchase everything from THC-infused drink shots to craft sodas in delicious flavors like dragon fruit, goji blackberry, and watermelon berry.

Locals can find these cannabis-infused drinks at Louisville establishments like Four Pegs, Left Field Lounge, Saints Pizza Pub, and Sky Bar. Drink prices range from around $5.99 to $10.

Scotland Pushes UK on Decriminalization

Scotland is urging the UK government to give up on the war on drugs. The Scottish government has called for the decriminalization of all drugs for personal use. Instead of imprisonment, Scotland calls for the prioritization of treatment and other support systems.

Scotland’s Drugs Policy Minister, Elena Whitham, blasted the current approach of the “war on drugs,” saying it has failed at preventing drug use, reducing harm, or preventing deaths. Whitham further argued that criminalization has, in actuality, led to increased human suffering and unnecessary deaths. “That’s a fact. I don’t think we can dispute that,” Whitham remarked.

Despite Scotland’s impassioned plea, the UK government does not look like it’s budging any time soon. A Home Office spokesperson representing the UK government doubled down on the war on drugs, saying:

“Illegal drugs destroy lives and devastate communities…We have no plans to decriminalise drugs given the associated harms, including the risks posed by organised criminals, who will use any opportunity to operate an exploitative and violent business model.”

In addition to the UK Government, Scotland also faces internal challenges from its Conservative Party. The party has been clear about its opposition to full-on decriminalization, arguing that it would exacerbate Scotland’s drug death crisis.