Global Cannabis Insights: A Snapshot Of Substance Trends And More

Exploring substance trends in New Zealand, an agricultural shift in Fiji, women facing addiction barriers in Barbados, and youth and illicit substances in Japan, this global cannabis update touches on diverse societal facets.

Nicotine & Cannabis Vaping Surges in New Zealand, New Survey Shows

A recent study by Massey University revealed a surge in the use of nicotine e-liquid vaping in New Zealand.

The university's third round of findings from the New Zealand Drugs Trends Survey, conducted between August 2022 and February 2023, unveiled a decline in no-nicotine e-liquid use, a rise in nicotine e-liquid vaping, and stable levels of cannabis vaping.

Survey Key Points:

• Conducted by Massey University's Drugs Research Team.
• Involved 13,026 respondents from New Zealand.
• One of the first studies to explore cannabis vaping in Aotearoa New Zealand.
• Nicotine products were frequently used daily, while cannabis and no-nicotine vapes were used less frequently.
• Many people were approaching doctors for medicinal cannabis products, with a rise in successful prescription requests.
• The survey indicated an upturn in people seeking help for drug and alcohol-related issues, including tobacco and cannabis.

Respondents had varying opinions on cannabis law reform, with preferences ranging from lighter regulation similar to alcohol laws to stricter controls similar to tobacco laws, showing potential for cross-party agreement in reform discussions, reported Stuff.

In New Zealand, the Ministry of Health authorized the home cultivation of medical cannabis in 2022, enabling patients to access their medicine locally. New Zealand has had a medical cannabis program since 2017, although with some limitations.

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Stigma And Job Fears Hinder Barbadian Women's Substance Abuse Treatment, NCSA Study Reveals

A study by the National Council on Substance Abuse (NCSA) revealed that alcohol and marijuana are the primary substances of choice among Barbadian women struggling with substance abuse.

According to Barbados Today, many of these women hesitate to seek treatment due to concerns about their children's well-being and the stigma associated with rehabilitation.

See Also: Revamping Barbados' Cannabis Landscape: BMCLA Partners With GrowerIQ

About The Study: Its Purpose

The study suggested that drug treatment facilities should adopt a less restrictive approach and recommended the availability of childcare services for mothers undergoing treatment.

• Fear of job loss and the absence of drug policies in the workplace were identified as significant barriers to seeking treatment. “Participants were afraid to lose their jobs if their drug use was discovered by employers and colleagues,” said NCSA Research and Information Officer Laura Foster.
• Additionally, the lack of formal partnerships between treatment centers and social agencies was highlighted.
• The study's findings and recommendations aim to address these barriers and increase treatment uptake among women, ultimately improving the overall impact of substance abuse treatment.

Minister of Home Affairs, Wilfred Abrahams, stressed the importance of using this research to facilitate recovery and reduce the adverse effects of addiction at both the individual and national levels. "I encourage the treatment providers, policymakers, and other stakeholders (...) to take note of the findings and look for ways that you can use them to inform the work you do with women,” Abrahams said.

See Also: Breaking Boundaries: Women's Empowerment And Progress In Cannabis

Concerns Grow Over "Gateway Drugs" As Dealers Offer Stronger Substances to Japanese Youth Buying Cannabis

In Tokyo, a growing number of young people have been arrested for suspected cannabis possession, raising concerns among experts about the potential for them to develop addictions to stronger drugs.

Recent cases, like that of Noriyasu Kitabatake, a member of Nihon University's American football team, who was arrested for marijuana and stimulant possession in August, had drawn attention to this concerning trend, as reported by The Mainichi.

Kitabatake apparently told the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) that he had received stimulants when buying cannabis, a tactic commonly used by dealers to introduce customers to more addictive substances. This has led to a surge in youth arrests, including individuals from universities and sports clubs.

While the overall number of cannabis-related arrests had seen a slight decrease in 2022, those aged 20 or younger still made up a significant portion, making it a pressing issue in Japan, according to the National Police Agency.

Furthermore, arrests related to stimulant drugs among the same age group had remained consistent, underscoring the ongoing challenge posed by the illicit drug trade among the city's youth.

Fijian Farmers Transition To Cannabis Cultivation, Sparking Concerns And Industry Support

Farmers in Fiji's Northern Division are changing from growing traditional root crops to cultivating cannabis, a trend brought to light by Fiji agromarketing regional manager North Ratu Nemia Leve during a recent cannabis consultation in Savusavu, Fiji.

According to FBC News, this transition is driven by the quicker maturation and ready market for cannabis, despite its legal prohibition.

However, concerns have been raised about the impact on the supply of root crops in the country, with Leve emphasizing the need for increased awareness and grassroots-level consultations in rural areas. Following the consultation, the majority of attendees expressed support for establishing a medicinal cannabis industry in Fiji, citing potential social and economic benefits.

These narratives underscore the evolving global dynamics around substance use the intricate complexities within cannabis regulations and the broader context of the war on drugs.

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Image by Benzinga