Kevin Dinneen

A Ukrainian MP has suggested his country should become the centre of European psychedelic research to provide assisted therapy for the estimated 25 million people at risk of PTSD as a result of the ongoing invasion by Russia.

Analysis of human bones from 17th-century Rome has found traces of cannabis, in a world-first study. The findings suggest that cannabis, despite being outlawed by the Holy Roman Empire, may have been used for recreational or medical purposes during this time.

Final amendments to the draft bill that will legalise cannabis in Germany have been agreed on, bringing the country closer than ever to a recreational market. The bill, once passed through parliament, will allow adults in the country to possess and consume cannabis from April 2024.

Those who oppose the liberalisation of cannabis will often cite fears that legalisation will lead to increased teen use. But further data from the US shows that despite more states legalising adult access, teen cannabis consumption remains close to record lows.

The bill passed by the South African National Assembly will permit adults to use and cultivate cannabis at their home, but will not legalise buying or selling.

In a new book, drug policy group Transform has set out a four-tier system for the legalisation of psychedelics that addresses all forms of use, from recreational to commercial and therapeutical.

The Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has publicly claimed the smell of cannabis can ruin neighbourhoods, however a new report from the US shows that legalising cannabis has a significantly positive impact on the price of housing, especially when compared to states that have not pressed ahead with adult access legislation.

A study of 1249 people has found that the effect of ‘adverse childhood experiences’ was lower among those who had used magic mushrooms compared to those who had not, suggesting that psilocybin assisted therapy could be an alternative treatment for childhood trauma.

A study has challenged the long held perception that terpenes are mostly responsible for the unique smell of cannabis.