Best of the Week: February 21– February 27, 2025

Let’s dive into the top stories shaping the conversation this week. Summaries of each article are listed below.

1. ALS and the Potential of Cannabis-Based Therapies: Insights from Dr. Ethan Russo

Cannabis as a therapeutic treatment for various medical conditions continues to be a popular topic for our readers. Recently, CReDo Science presented, “Update on ALS: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Cannabis, and Hope for the Future,” an hour-long webinar in which Ethan Russo, MD, neurologist and medical researcher discussed ALS symptoms, conventional treatments, and studies on treatments using cannabis components. ALS, he explained, is a terminal degenerative disease affecting upper and lower motor neurons, causing weakness, paralysis, and affecting speech, and swallowing. Even after decades of research, there have been no breakthrough conventional treatments yet.

Could cannabis provide better symptom relief and improve quality of life better than conventional treatments for this neurodegenerative disease?

2. FDA Grants Investigational New Drug Application to DeFloria for Phase 2 Oral Cannabinoid Autism Treatment

Next, a recent press release disclosed that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted DeFloria with an Investigational New Drug application for their AJA001 multi-cannabinoid botanical drug that may provide a new treatment for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). With the IND application granted, DeFloria will now be able to move forward with their Phase 2 clinical trial, slated for mid-year 2025.

3. National Cannabis Industry Association Elects New Chairman of the Board

In a February 25, 2025, press release, the National Cannabis Industry Association (NCIA) announced it had unanimously voted Adam Rosenberg as Chairman of the Board. The NCIA is the largest trade organization representing the legal cannabis industry in the US, with the goal of promoting a thriving and fair industry and leading federal reform efforts. Rosenberg will be the first board member to serve as Chairman in his first term.

Rosenberg’s experience across the cannabis supply chain, investment, education, and more is expected to help unify businesses toward federal legalization advocacy, especially important with the 13^th NCIA Annual Cannabis Industry Lobby Days happening in Washington, DC, on May 13-15, 2025.

4. Application Period Open for Alabama Testing Laboratory Licenses

In a recent news release, the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission (AMCC) announced that it would being offering State Testing Laboratory Licenses, with the process starting February 14, 2025. Applicants for the State Testing Laboratory license must submit a Request for Business Application by March 14 in order to receive a Business Application Form, which must be completed by April 16. Licenses will be issued on June 17, and there is no limit on the number of licenses awarded by AMCC.

“There are several licensed cultivators who are growing and harvesting legal cannabis in Alabama, and this offering of state testing laboratory licenses is critical to move those crops through the process and, ultimately, into the hands of Alabama patients,” said AMCC Director John McMillan, in the news release.

In May 2021, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey signed the Darren Wesley “Ato” Hall Compassion Act into law, which established the AMCC and authorized it to implement the Act.