Tag Archives: drugs

Sci-Tech

Truths And Concerns- The Miracle Drug Ozempic

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Ozempic: A Microcosm That Can Teach Us a Lot about Canadian Healthcare Markets Ozempic (and other GLP-1 medications) have been having their moment.

Headlines hail a “miracle drug” for weight loss , others say that’s too good to be true, and there’s even a South Park episode titled “the end of obesity.” It’s all new territory for medications for type-2 diabetes and weight loss treatment.


And all the media attention gives us a teaching moment to help illuminate the behind-the-scenes dynamics that affect international pharmaceutical markets, insurance companies, public healthcare systems and government finances.
This article summarizes the various issues that have been in the spotlight and additional posts linked in the supplemental section at the end of this article will go further behind the curtain, using Ozempic as an example, to explain the interconnected and complex economic factors and government machinery that play roles in determining the supply, demand and accessibility of pharmaceutical treatments and products, as well as broader economic responses.

First, some background.

GLP-1 receptor agonists (like Ozempic) have been used for more than 16 years to treat type 2 diabetes and for weight loss for the past nine years. Ozempic is Novo Nordisk’s brand name for a semaglutide marketed and sold for treating type 2 diabetes. Other medications in the same class include Trulicity (dulaglutide, GLP-1) and Mounjaro (tirzepatide, a dual GLP-1/GIP).

While Ozempic is heavily associated with weight loss in the media, it is NOT approved by the FDA or Health Canada as a weight-loss drug.

From the globex press release: “GlobexPharma® is thrilled to announce the launch of Ozempic Chewable Gummies for Kids®, a groundbreaking prescription treatment designed to combat obesity in children aged 1 to 5 years.”

Health Canada approved it in 2018 for adult patients with type 2 diabetes, noting that there was limited information on safety and efficacy for minors or people over age 75. The FDA has authorized it for similar purposes and also includes reducing the risk of heart attacks and strokes in type 2 diabetes patients with known heart disease.

Wegovy, a similar injectable medication containing higher amounts of semaglutide and made by the same company, is approved for weight loss in obese patients by the FDA and recently entered the Canadian market (it was approved in 2021, but only became available to consumers in May 2024). Saxenda (liraglutide, GLP1), is approved for weight management in obese pediatric patients over 12 years of age in Canada.


The class of medications is not new, their effectiveness for weight loss in non-obese patients, as well as their potential to improve fertility, reduce cardiac risks, and reduce the risk of kidney failure have all increased the attention and discussion of this class of medications.

Their growing weight-loss popularity has disrupted the market, and provides an opportunity to investigate many interrelated market dynamics including:

  • The incentives and potential for pharmaceutical companies to expand markets for existing products by finding new applications for them.
  • Similarly, off-label prescribing by physicians can provide patients access to treatments, even if a full-scale clinical trial has not been conducted.
  • Market expansion through new indications and off-label prescribing can create surges in demand that increase financial risks for public and private drug insurance plans.
  • Similarly, rapidly increasing demand increases the risk of drug shortages, at least until manufacturing capacity can expand to meet the new market demand.
  • Both shortages and financial risk for insurance companies can lead to restricting coverage and rationing supplies to prioritize particular patient groups.

The healthcare market and broader economy respond to these dynamics in sometimes unexpected or potentially counterproductive ways. For example, counterfeit or black market versions of the regulated medications, a proliferation of virtual services advertising directly to consumers that they can provide access, and patients failing to complete treatment due to costs or shortages.
There is evidence of wider economic responses as well.

For example, Nestlé is launching a new line of frozen pizzas and pastas enriched with protein, iron, and calcium designed for people taking appetite suppressing drugs.

That’s our landscape. For The Silo, Rosalie Wyonch.

Supplemental

Dig into the various strategies insurance providers and governments are using to manage financial risks and mitigate drug shortages.

Examine the counter-balancing industry and consumer responses that seek to maintain broad access or capitalize on the new and growing market.

Art

What Is The Mystery Phenomenon Of Shoe Tossing?

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Shoe tossing and shoe posting are seen in most Canadian cities and rural motorways.

Its history and its symbolism are remarkably complex.

Shoe tossing is when shoelaces are tied and tossed over telephone or power lines so that the shoes hang loosely above the ground. Yet shoe tossing does not accurately describe shoes that are affixed to telephone poles or other inanimate objects using nails and staples. It seems that “shoe posting” would be a more appropriate terms for such occurrences. Nevertheless, each tossed or posted shoe represents either personal or cultural meaning.

There is a cultural meaning to each and every ‘tossed’ shoe- but what is it?

It may come as some surprise that shoe tossing holds a distressing history.

For example, many have noted that tossed shoes indicate the specific location where drugs like crack and heroin are used or sold. Moreover, others have mentioned that tossed shoes signify the physical boundaries of gang territory. For this reason the mayor of Los Angeles, California launched a campaign to remove tossed shoes from the city altogether. Further still, shoe tossing may be the product of bullying, theft and other forms of civil disobedience.

Is it safe to say that shoe tossing is primarily a form of civil disobedience or is there more to it?

On the other hand, there are some positive aspects of this mysterious phenomenon.

Shoe tossing, for instance, has been known to represent a rite of passage associated with graduation from an educational institution or a discharge from military service. While tossed and posted shoes mark our social environment in negative and positive ways they also call to mind images from the not so distant past.

Could there be a deep rooted collective unconscious meaning to shoe posting/nailing? H Joie Crockett Photos – Near the entrance to Rangeley Lake State Park you will find this oddity of a telephone pole with shoes nailed to it. The question is “Why?”

The pilfering of clothing and other possessions in extermination camps by Nazi forces during World War II included the shoes of men, women and children. These shoes were generally thrown on top of each other one by one. The result is a dense heap of shoes that were once filled with Jewish feet. Now, these shoes piles exist in Holocaust museums around the world as evidential markers of Nazi atrocity.

Holocaust shoes

Can tossed or posted shoes be thought of without considering the indelible Nazi shoe piles?

This is an idea that has not been explored and deserves further attention in visual culture discourse.
It is difficult to deny that the formal appearance of tossed and posted shoes in contemporary society reference past images of Nazi piles of Jewish shoes during the Holocaust. This may arguably be a far stretch for some; but for others, the sight of tossed and posted shoes may trigger the painful memories and agonizing reminders.
Shoe tossing is at once close to life but never far from death. The meaning one subscribes to these curious objects is, like most things, one’s own. However that does not suggest that particular objects seen in everyday life, like tossed or posted shoes, cannot allude to the images of history. For the Silo, Dr.Matthew Ryan Smith. 

Culture

(Mostly) All You Need To Know About The Marijuana Market

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With legal ‘weed’ readily available from licensed dispensaries in Canada, more states to the South of us are legalizing marijuana for use in America and as such, the demand is increasing.

A good example is Colorado.

The state opened the first regulated recreational marijuana market in the world. A 2014 study also showed that 30% of the heaviest “pot” users in Colorado were responsible for 87% of the demand for the drug. Judging from these stats, we can see that the demand for marijuana is steadily rising as it is becoming accepted and legalized in more places around the world.
The marijuana market is getting bigger by the day as Americans spend roughly $40 USD billion annually on legal and illegal marijuana. There is so much more to these impressive figures and the rest of this article and info-graphic will discuss these factors. Let’s dive in, shall we?


Legalization

Typically, only two countries in the world allow the recreational use of marijuana – Uruguay and Canada. Although marijuana is still illegal under federal law in the United States, there are state laws that make it legal to consume under certain conditions. Marijuana is legal in 12 states for recreational use, and in 33 states for medical use. In the states where marijuana is legalized for medical use, there are licensed dispensaries that distribute it. These states restrict the number of dispensaries and they are usually non-profits. If we take into consideration the fact that the majority of Americans (62%) support legalizing marijuana, we can surely expect even more states to adopt new marijuana-friendly laws. As the public learns more about proven marijuana benefits, the support increases.


Sales and Demand

The rising demand for marijuana keeps driving it to record high sales as 55 million people use marijuana regularly. Studies show that by the end of 2022, recreational marijuana sales in the U.S are projected to more than triple.
The average price per ounce of marijuana differs in the U.S by state and it may vary greatly. For example, the District of Columbia has the highest price at $600.7 USD per ounce while Oregon’s price is $210.6 USD for the same quantity. Also, research shows that the cannabis market is projected to grow at a rate of 21% per year.

Employment

With the escalating demand, there is a corresponding rise in the need for greater production, and the industry provides jobs and opportunities for investments. People with degrees in pharmacology, botany, and chemistry can be very beneficial in the industry. As for the salaries, the starting pay is $40,000 for growers and pharmacologists.
The three factors above paint a clear picture of the state of the marijuana market. It is very lucrative and expected to keep thriving.

Sci-Tech

Diversity is Elusive in Rare Disease Research

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Only 10% of rare diseases have an FDA-approved therapy. This sobering statistic highlights why research is so imperative for patients with rare diseases. Clinical trials can be a crucial opportunity to access life-saving treatments.

However, African-American, African-Canadian and Latino patients with rare diseases face significant underrepresentation in clinical trials. This lack of representation results in drugs being developed that aren’t proven safe or effective across different populations.

A 2018 research carried out by the U.S. Census Bureau stated that out of the 12% Black or African American population across the U.S., only 2.2% had participated in clinical trials for rare diseases. Sickle cell disease is one rare disease that predominantly affects the African American community.

India has close to 50-100 million people affected by rare diseases or disorders, with almost 80% of these rare condition patients being children. As per the U.S. Census Bureau, Indian Americans constitute 1.2% of the U.S. population, which translates to 4.5 million, as of 2021, and out of the 5.8% total Asian population across the U.S., their clinical trials participation in 2018 was only 1%.

When certain groups are underrepresented, the universal right to health is jeopardized, and the economic burden of public health care rises. Inequities in clinical research participation impede applications in drug efficacy, toxicity, therapeutic indices, and other areas. Furthermore, it has the potential to raise healthcare costs.

February is “Rare Disease Month”, while February 28th is “Rare Disease Day”, and 2023 is the 40th anniversary of “The Orphan Drug Act”—a law that was passed in the United States in 1983 to facilitate the development of orphan drugs—drugs for rare diseases.

Dr. Rajasimha, Founder and Executive Chairman of IndoUSrare says, “Rare Disease Month allows the rare disease community to come together and make themselves heard.”

The future of rare disease research and treatment still requires enhanced detection techniques, dissemination of understanding concerning optimal care, and research to prevent, treat, and cure disease, and IndoUSrare collaborates with researchers in the U.S. and other western countries with their counterparts in the Indian subcontinent to engage and include the large and diverse populations of Indians in India and globally.

Culture

Women Of 1970s & 1980s Punk Rock

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Z.Z. “Carrot Woman” Howell

The punk rock scene of the 1970s and ’80s in Southern California is widely acknowledged as one of the most vibrant and creative periods in rock and roll.

Over the years, many books have come out exploring this explosive time in music and culture, but none have exclusively focused on the vitality and influence of the women who played such a crucial role in this incredibly dynamic movement.

“Almost a decade ago- IN THE SUMMER OF 2012, I attended an oral history workshop by the social justice organization Voice of Witness. I’m a librarian and professor at Santa Ana College and I participated in the workshop to discover projects I could do with students. I ended up imagining something entirely different: interviewing other women like me, now in our middle or later years, who grew up in the punk rock scene in Southern California. Did punk rock influence the rest of their lives? What attracted them to punk rock and how did they get involved? What was it like being a woman in the scene?

What you can now hold in your hands is the final result of a project that took several years and countless hours to complete.

How did I do it? I created a flyer about the project. I posted the flyer a few places around Orange County and Los Angeles and on Facebook. Women started contacting me to participate. I wrote up a list of questions and bought two digital recorders. I emailed some women directly and asked if they would be willing to participate. Then I started calling women and meeting them, mostly in their homes. A friend called it “punk rock anthropology.” I had no idea what an amazing experience this would be.“

Stacy Russo has created a unique book about the punk rock era, focusing on the women who were such a huge part of it. We Were Going to Change the World: Interviews with Women From the 1970s & 1980s Southern California Punk Rock Scene (Santa Monica Press/2017) captures the stories of women who were active in the punk rock scene in Southern California during this historic time, adding an important voice to the cultural and musical record. Recommended reading. For the Silo, Trina Kaye.

Earth

Plants With Real Healing Powers That Cure

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A fever, stomach pains or a simple case of the sniffles can send people rushing to the pharmacy for a drug to cure their symptoms.

But Mother Nature provides a number of medicinal plants with healing properties that also can nurse you back to health, a fact more North Americans are beginning to discover.

Doctor Sodhi -" More North Americans Realize The Effectiveness Of Remedies Found In Nature"

Doctor Sodhi -” more North Americans realize the effectiveness of remedies found in nature”

“The use of herbal medicine, although traditional in many Eastern cultures, had been only a minor fad in Western medicine until recent decades,” says Dr. Virender Sodhi, founder of the Ayurvedic and Naturopathic Medical Clinic , which provides complementary and alternative medicine.

That trend has been shifting as a growing body of studies and research has demonstrated the effects of traditional remedies on chronic diseases, such as diabetes and hypertension, says Sodhi, author of the new guide, “Ayurvedic Herbs: The Comprehensive Resource for Ayurvedic Healing Solutions”.

That’s not necessarily news to ailing people in other parts of the world, such as Asia and Africa. For centuries, they have found relief through herbal medicines derived from shrubs, vines, trees and other plants, Sodhi says.

Here are four examples, a couple of which are recognizable by better known names and purposes.

American licorice is a native, perennial legume that grows in temperate climates of North America. Licorice, which grows in Europe and Asia, is the root of varieties of the Glycyrrhiza plant.
American licorice is a native, perennial legume that grows in temperate climates of North America. Licorice, which grows in Europe and Asia, is the root of varieties of the Glycyrrhiza plant.

 

•  Glycyrrhiza glabra. Most people would recognize this plant by its more common name – licorice. It has been used for centuries in the traditional and folk medicines of Asia and Europe to treat ailments ranging from the common cold to liver disease, Sodhi says.

Most Americans likely encountered licorice as children because the sweet root of the plant is used to make candy. Licorice can cure more than a sweet tooth, though. It can protect people from the influenza virus. In cell line studies it was shown to reduce titer of the influenza virus by 90 percent and have strong immune modulation properties.

It’s an important ingredient in many herbal preparations, Sodhi said, especially for bronchial conditions. Because of its expectorant properties, powdered licorice has been used for centuries to treat coughs. Modern cough syrups often contain licorice extract.

Piper negrum

•  Piper nigrum. This flowering vine’s berries, when still unripe, are used to produce black pepper, but spicing up food isn’t its only talent. Piper nigrum has anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial and anti-spasmodic properties that make it ideal for treating digestive disorders, Sodhi says.

It doesn’t stop there. Drug resistance is a major concern in cancer patients. Piper nigrum can reverse multiple drug resistance many fold and significantly increase the apoptotic effect of many pharmaceutical drugs.

CLICK me to discover more about Frankincense
CLICK me to discover more about Frankincense

•  Boswellia serrate. Commonly known as Frankincense, this herb has powerful anti-inflammatory effects. Several patients with ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s colitis have gone in to remission using a Boswellia preparation.

In brain tumor patients it has reduced cerebral edema by 75 percent. Sodhi has mentioned case studies of many patients with rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, polymyalgia rheumatica and ulcerative colitis who went into remission.

Bael

•  Bael. Commonly known as “golden apple”, this fruit-bearing tree indigenous to the hills and plains of central and southern India has numerous uses. The fruit promotes healthy digestion and is used medicinally to treat such conditions as diarrhea, dysentery and cholera. The leaves, roots and bark of Bael also have medicinal value.

They help relieve acute bronchitis, heart palpitations, intermittent fevers and many other ailments. Dr. Sodhi has observed 100 percent success in treating patients of clostridium difficile, who did not respond to standard medical protocol of metronidazole (Flagyl), Dificid (fidaxomicin), or vanconycin.

 

Politics

Cost Of Marijuana In 120 Cities And How Much Tax Revenue If Legalized

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First a few quick facts….

● ‏Tokyo, Japan has the most expensive cannabis‏ ‏, at 32.66 USD per gram. ‏

● ‏Quito, Ecuador has the least expensive marijuana‏ ‏, at 1.34 USD per gram.‏

● ‏Based on the average US marijuana tax rates currently implemented, ‏ ‏New York City could generate the highest potential tax revenue by legalizing weed‏ ‏, with 156.40 million USD per year. New York City also has the highest consumption rate of cannabis, at 77.44 metric tons per year.‏

● ‏Cannabis costs ‏ ‏$7.82 per gram in Toronto, Canada‏ ‏. ‏

‏Berlin, Germany – ‏ ‏Automatic cultivator device, ‏ ‏Seedo‏ ‏, after much research and data gathering, previously released the 2018 Cannabis Price Index, detailing the cost of marijuana in 120 global cities. Seedo is one of the many new ventures embracing the newly legalized cannabis industry. Their main goal is to allow both medicinal and recreational consumers to grow their own supply, avoiding extra taxes and bypassing harmful pesticides. The aim of this study is to illustrate the continuous need for legislative reform on cannabis use around the world, and to determine if there are any lessons to be learned from those cities at the forefront of marijuana legalisation.

‏Although Seedo’s technology enables smokers to get off the grid, this study considers one of the biggest byproducts of legalising cannabis—the potential tax revenue for the local government body. For this reason, Seedo decided not only to research the cost of cannabis around the world, but also to calculate how much potential tax a city could generate if they were to legalise marijuana. ‏

‏The study began first by selecting 120 cities across the world, including locations where cannabis is currently legal, illegal and partially legal, and where marijuana consumption data is available. Then, they looked into the price of weed per gram in each city. To calculate how much potential tax a city could make by legalising weed, Seedo investigated how much tax is paid on the most popular brand of cigarettes, as this offers the closest comparison. They then looked at what percentage marijuana is currently taxed in cities where it’s already legalised in the US. ‏

‏“This study has revealed some incredible insights into the kind of tax revenue that legalising weed could generate.” says Uri Zeevi, CMO at Seedo. “Take New York City for instance, which has the highest consumption level in the study at 77.44 metric tons of cannabis per year. If they taxed marijuana at the average US cannabis tax level, the city could make $‏ ‏156.4‏ ‏ million in potential tax revenue per year. This is equivalent to providing nearly 3 months worth of free school meals to every single public school kid in New York City.” ‏

‏The table below reveals a sample of the results for ‏ ‏Toronto, Canada‏ ‏:‏

‏City‏

‏Legality‏

‏Price per gram, US$‏

‏Total possible tax collection, if taxed at cigarette level, mil US$‏

‏Total possible tax collection, if taxed at average US marijuana taxes, mil US$‏

‏Total consumption in metric tons‏

‏Toronto‏

‏Partial‏

‏7.82‏

‏124.15‏

‏33.38‏

‏22.75‏

‏The table below shows the ‏ ‏top 10 most and least expensive cities for cannabis‏ ‏:‏

‏Top 10 Most Expensive Cities‏

‏Top 10 Least Expensive Cities‏

‏#‏

‏City‏

‏Country‏

‏Legality‏

‏Price per gram, US$‏

‏#‏

‏City‏

‏Country‏

‏Legality‏

‏Price per gram, US$‏

‏1‏

‏Tokyo‏

‏Japan‏

‏Illegal‏

‏32.66‏

‏1‏

‏Quito‏

‏Ecuador‏

‏Partial‏

‏1.34‏

‏2‏

‏Seoul‏

‏South Korea‏

‏Illegal‏

‏32.44‏

‏2‏

‏Bogota‏

‏Colombia‏

‏Partial‏

‏2.20‏

‏3‏

‏Kyoto‏

‏Japan‏

‏Illegal‏

‏29.65‏

‏3‏

‏Asuncion‏

‏Paraguay‏

‏Partial‏

‏2.22‏

‏4‏

‏Hong Kong‏

‏China‏

‏Illegal‏

‏27.48‏

‏4‏

‏Jakarta‏

‏Indonesia‏

‏Illegal‏

‏3.79‏

‏5‏

‏Bangkok‏

‏Thailand‏

‏Partial‏

‏24.81‏

‏5‏

‏Panama City‏

‏Panama‏

‏Illegal‏

‏3.85‏

‏6‏

‏Dublin‏

‏Ireland‏

‏Illegal‏

‏21.63‏

‏6‏

‏Johannesburg‏

‏South Africa‏

‏Illegal‏

‏4.01‏

‏7‏

‏Tallinn‏

‏Estonia‏

‏Partial‏

‏20.98‏

‏7‏

‏Montevideo‏

‏Uruguay‏

‏Legal‏

‏4.15‏

‏8‏

‏Shanghai‏

‏China‏

‏Illegal‏

‏20.82‏

‏8‏

‏Astana‏

‏Kazakhstan‏

‏Illegal‏

‏4.22‏

‏9‏

‏Beijing‏

‏China‏

‏Illegal‏

‏20.52‏

‏9‏

‏Antwerp‏

‏Belgium‏

‏Partial‏

‏4.29‏

‏10‏

‏Oslo‏

‏Norway‏

‏Partial‏

‏19.14‏

‏10‏

‏New Delhi‏

‏India‏

‏Partial‏

‏4.38‏

‏N.B. These tables are a sample of the full results. To find the complete results for all 120 cities, please see the bottom of the press release. ‏

‏The table below shows the ‏ ‏top 10 cities who could generate the most potential tax ‏ ‏by legalising cannabis, if taxed at the same rate as the most popular cigarette brand:‏

‏#‏

‏City‏

‏Country‏

‏Legality‏

‏Price per gram, US$‏

‏% of cigarette tax‏

‏Possible tax revenue, mil US$ ‏

‏1‏

‏Cairo‏

‏Egypt‏

‏Illegal‏

‏16.15‏

‏73.13‏

‏384.87‏

‏2‏

‏New York‏

‏USA‏

‏Partial‏

‏10.76‏

‏42.54‏

‏354.48‏

‏3‏

‏London‏

‏UK‏

‏Illegal‏

‏9.20‏

‏82.16‏

‏237.35‏

‏4‏

‏Sydney‏

‏Australia‏

‏Partial‏

‏10.79‏

‏56.76‏

‏138.36‏

‏5‏

‏Karachi‏

‏Pakistan‏

‏Illegal‏

‏5.32‏

‏60.7‏

‏135.48‏

‏6‏

‏Melbourne‏

‏Australia‏

‏Partial‏

‏10.84‏

‏56.76‏

‏132.75‏

‏7‏

‏Moscow‏

‏Russia‏

‏Partial‏

‏11.84‏

‏47.63‏

‏128.97‏

‏8‏

‏Toronto‏

‏Canada‏

‏Partial‏

‏7.82‏

‏69.8‏

‏124.15‏

‏9‏

‏Chicago‏

‏USA‏

‏Partial‏

‏11.46‏

‏42.54‏

‏119.61‏

‏10‏

‏Berlin‏

‏Germany‏

‏Partial‏

‏13.53‏

‏72.9‏

‏114.77‏

‏N.B. % of cigarette tax refers to the tax percentage on the most popular brand. Possible tax revenue refers to the total possible tax collection per year, if taxed at cigarette level. For a full explanation of how the study was conducted, please see the methodology at the bottom of the press release. ‏

‏The table below shows the ‏ ‏top 10 cities who could generate the most potential tax‏ ‏ by legalising cannabis, if taxed at the average US marijuana tax rate:‏

‏#‏

‏City‏

‏Country‏

‏Legality‏

‏Price per gram, US$‏

‏Possible tax revenue, mil US$‏

‏1‏

‏New York‏

‏USA‏

‏Partial‏

‏10.76‏

‏156.4‏

‏2‏

‏Cairo‏

‏Egypt‏

‏Illegal‏

‏16.15‏

‏98.78‏

‏3‏

‏London‏

‏UK‏

‏Illegal‏

‏9.20‏

‏54.22‏

‏4‏

‏Chicago‏

‏USA‏

‏Partial‏

‏11.46‏

‏52.77‏

‏5‏

‏Moscow‏

‏Russia‏

‏Partial‏

‏11.84‏

‏50.82‏

‏6‏

‏Sydney‏

‏Australia‏

‏Partial‏

‏10.79‏

‏45.75‏

‏7‏

‏Melbourne‏

‏Australia‏

‏Partial‏

‏10.84‏

‏43.9‏

‏8‏

‏Karachi‏

‏Pakistan‏

‏Illegal‏

‏5.32‏

‏41.89‏

‏9‏

‏Houston‏

‏USA‏

‏Partial‏

‏10.03‏

‏39.32‏

‏10‏

‏Toronto‏

‏Canada‏

‏Partial‏

‏7.82‏

‏33.38‏

‏N.B. Possible tax revenue refers to the total possible tax collection per year, if taxed at average US marijuana tax rate.‏

‏The table below shows the‏ ‏ top 10 cities with the highest and lowest consumption of cannabis, ‏ ‏per year:‏

‏Highest Consumers of Cannabis‏

‏ Lowest Consumers of Cannabis‏

‏#‏

‏City‏

‏Country‏

‏Legality‏

‏Price per gram, US$‏

‏Total consumption, metric tons‏

‏#‏

‏City‏

‏Country‏

‏Legality‏

‏Price per gram, US$‏

‏Total consumption, metric tons‏

‏1‏

‏New York‏

‏USA‏

‏Partial‏

‏10.76‏

‏77.44‏

‏1‏

‏Singapore‏

‏Singapore‏

‏Illegal‏

‏14.01‏

‏0.02‏

‏2‏

‏Karachi‏

‏Pakistan‏

‏Illegal‏

‏5.32‏

‏41.95‏

‏2‏

‏Santo Domingo‏

‏Dominican Rep.‏

‏Illegal‏

‏6.93‏

‏0.16‏

‏3‏

‏New Delhi‏

‏India‏

‏Partial‏

‏4.38‏

‏38.26‏

‏3‏

‏Kyoto‏

‏Japan‏

‏Illegal‏

‏29.65‏

‏0.24‏

‏4‏

‏Los Angeles‏

‏USA‏

‏Legal‏

‏8.14‏

‏36.06‏

‏4‏

‏Thessaloniki‏

‏Greece‏

‏Partial‏

‏13.49‏

‏0.29‏

‏5‏

‏Cairo‏

‏Egypt‏

‏Illegal‏

‏16.15‏

‏32.59‏

‏5‏

‏Luxembourg City‏

‏Luxembourg‏

‏Partial‏

‏7.26‏

‏0.32‏

‏6‏

‏Mumbai‏

‏India‏

‏Partial‏

‏4.57‏

‏32.38‏

‏6‏

‏Panama City‏

‏Panama‏

‏Illegal‏

‏3.85‏

‏0.37‏

‏7‏

‏London‏

‏UK‏

‏Illegal‏

‏9.20‏

‏31.4‏

‏7‏

‏Reykjavik‏

‏Iceland‏

‏Illegal‏

‏15.92‏

‏0.44‏

‏8‏

‏Chicago‏

‏USA‏

‏Partial‏

‏11.46‏

‏24.54‏

‏8‏

‏Asuncion‏

‏Paraguay‏

‏Partial‏

‏2.22‏

‏0.46‏

‏9‏

‏Moscow‏

‏Russia‏

‏Partial‏

‏11.84‏

‏22.87‏

‏9‏

‏Colombo‏

‏Sri Lanka‏

‏Illegal‏

‏9.12‏

‏0.59‏

‏10‏

‏Toronto‏

‏Canada‏

‏Partial‏

‏7.82‏

‏22.75‏

‏10‏

‏Manila‏

‏Philippines‏

‏Illegal‏

‏5.24‏

‏0.6‏

‏N.B. Total consumption is calculated per annum. ‏

‏Additional quotes:‏

‏“The way that the legalised cannabis industry is rapidly evolving alongside new technologies shows how innovative emerging tech companies are today.” says Uri Zeevi, CMO at Seedo. “Take the way that cannabis and cryptocurrency have joined forces, with ‏ ‏examples such as HempCoin or nezly, which manage processes and payments in the new marijuana industry.‏ ‏ When you consider too the potential that these new technologies have to disrupt the cannabis industry, there’s no denying that these are very exciting times.” ‏

‏“At Seedo, we’ve built technology that helps regular smokers to grow cannabis plants of the utmost quality from the comfort of their own home, avoiding pesticides and taking ownership of their personal supply.” says Uri Zeevi, CMO at Seedo. “We believe that by understanding the cost of weed around the world, we can help to educate smokers about the potential financial benefits of hydroponic growing technology.” ‏

‏“That illegal cannabis use is so high in countries that still carry the death penalty, such as Pakistan and Egypt, those in power ought to see how desperately new legislation is needed.” comments Uri Zeevi, CMO at Seedo. “By removing the criminal element from marijuana, governments will then able to more safely regulate production, take away power from underground gangs, and as we’ve shown in this study, generate huge tax revenues.”‏

‏Further findings:‏

● ‏New York City, USA has the highest consumption rate of cannabis‏ ‏, at 77.44 metric tons per year.‏

● ‏Boston, USA has the most expensive cannabis of all the cities where it’s legal‏ ‏, at 11.01 USD, while Montevideo, Uruguay has the least expensive at 4.15 USD. ‏

● ‏While Tokyo, Japan has the most expensive cannabis of all cities where it’s illegal, at 32.66 USD, ‏ ‏Jakarta, Indonesia has the least expensive at 3.79 USD, despite being classed as a Group 1 drug with harsh sentences such as life imprisonment and the death penalty.‏ ‏ ‏

● ‏For cities where cannabis is partially legal, Bangkok, Thailand has the most expensive at 24.81 USD, while Quito, Ecuador has the least expensive at 1.34 USD. ‏

● ‏Bulgaria has the highest tax rates for the most popular brand of cigarettes, at 82.65%, while Paraguay has the lowest, with rates of 16%. ‏

● ‏Cairo, Egypt would gain the most revenue in tax if they were to legalise cannabis‏ ‏ and tax it as the same rate as cigarettes, at 384.87 million USD. Singapore, Singapore would gain the least, at 0.14 million USD, due in part to the city’s low consumption of marijuana at 0.02 metric tons per annum.‏

● ‏Based on the average US marijuana tax rates currently implemented,‏ ‏ New York City could generate the highest potential tax revenue by legalising weed, with 156.4 million USD per year‏ ‏. Singapore, Singapore would gain the least, at 0.04 million USD

‏About “Seedo”‏ ‏: Seedo is a fully automated hydroponic growing device which lets you grow your own medicinal herbs and vegetables from the comfort of your own home. Seedo controls and monitors the growing process, from seed to plant, while providing optimal lab conditions to assure premium quality produce year-round. Seedo’s goal is to simplify the growing process, making it accessible for everyone, without compromising on quality. ‏

‏The full results of the 2018 Cannabis Price Index:‏

‏#‏

‏City‏

‏Country‏

‏Legality‏

‏Price per gram, US$‏

‏Taxes of cigarettes, % of the most sold brand‏

‏Total possible tax collection, if taxed at cigarette level, mil US$‏

‏Total possible tax collection, if taxed at average US marijuana taxes, mil US$‏

‏Total Consumption in metric tons‏

‏1‏

‏Tokyo‏

‏Japan‏

‏Illegal‏

‏32.66‏

‏64.36‏

‏32.14‏

‏9.37‏

‏1.53‏

‏2‏

‏Seoul‏

‏South Korea‏

‏Illegal‏

‏32.44‏

‏61.99‏

‏31.61‏

‏9.57‏

‏1.57‏

‏3‏

‏Kyoto‏

‏Japan‏

‏Illegal‏

‏29.65‏

‏64.36‏

‏4.64‏

‏1.35‏

‏0.24‏

‏4‏

‏Hong Kong‏

‏China‏

‏Illegal‏

‏27.48‏

‏44.43‏

‏19.72‏

‏8.33‏

‏1.62‏

‏5‏

‏Bangkok‏

‏Thailand‏

‏Partial‏

‏24.81‏

‏73.13‏

‏99.11‏

‏25.44‏

‏5.46‏

‏6‏

‏Dublin‏

‏Ireland‏

‏Illegal‏

‏21.63‏

‏77.80‏

‏29.31‏

‏7.07‏

‏1.74‏

‏7‏

‏Tallinn‏

‏Estonia‏

‏Partial‏

‏20.98‏

‏77.24‏

‏22.13‏

‏5.38‏

‏1.37‏

‏8‏

‏Shanghai‏

‏China‏

‏Illegal‏

‏20.82‏

‏44.43‏

‏49.12‏

‏20.75‏

‏5.31‏

‏9‏

‏Beijing‏

‏China‏

‏Illegal‏

‏20.52‏

‏44.43‏

‏43.10‏

‏18.21‏

‏4.73‏

‏10‏

‏Oslo‏

‏Norway‏

‏Partial‏

‏19.14‏

‏68.83‏

‏19.28‏

‏5.26‏

‏1.46‏

‏11‏

‏Washington, DC‏

‏USA‏

‏Partial‏

‏18.08‏

‏42.54‏

‏47.51‏

‏20.96‏

‏6.18‏

‏12‏

‏Cairo‏

‏Egypt‏

‏Illegal‏

‏16.15‏

‏73.13‏

‏384.87‏

‏98.78‏

‏32.59‏

‏13‏

‏Reykjavik‏

‏Iceland‏

‏Illegal‏

‏15.92‏

‏56.40‏

‏3.97‏

‏1.32‏

‏0.44‏

‏14‏

‏Belfast‏

‏Ireland‏

‏Illegal‏

‏15.81‏

‏77.80‏

‏13.55‏

‏3.27‏

‏1.10‏

‏15‏

‏Minsk‏

‏Belarus‏

‏Illegal‏

‏15.80‏

‏51.15‏

‏9.08‏

‏3.33‏

‏1.12‏

‏16‏

‏Athens‏

‏Greece‏

‏Partial‏

‏14.95‏

‏79.95‏

‏7.42‏

‏1.74‏

‏0.62‏

‏17‏

‏Auckland‏

‏New Zealand‏

‏Partial‏

‏14.77‏

‏77.34‏

‏106.03‏

‏25.73‏

‏9.28‏

‏18‏

‏Munich‏

‏Germany‏

‏Partial‏

‏14.56‏

‏72.90‏

‏50.90‏

‏13.10‏

‏4.80‏

‏19‏

‏Helsinki‏

‏Finland‏

‏Partial‏

‏14.42‏

‏81.53‏

‏27.12‏

‏6.24‏

‏2.31‏

‏20‏

‏Singapore‏

‏Singapore‏

‏Illegal‏

‏14.01‏

‏66.23‏

‏0.14‏

‏0.04‏

‏0.02‏

‏21‏

‏Berlin‏

‏Germany‏

‏Partial‏

‏13.53‏

‏72.90‏

‏114.77‏

‏29.55‏

‏11.64‏

‏22‏

‏Stuttgart‏

‏Germany‏

‏Partial‏

‏13.50‏

‏72.90‏

‏20.20‏

‏5.20‏

‏2.05‏

‏23‏

‏Thessaloniki‏

‏Greece‏

‏Partial‏

‏13.49‏

‏79.95‏

‏3.17‏

‏0.75‏

‏0.29‏

‏24‏

‏Stockholm‏

‏Sweden‏

‏Illegal‏

‏13.20‏

‏68.84‏

‏15.06‏

‏4.11‏

‏1.66‏

‏25‏

‏Vienna‏

‏Austria‏

‏Partial‏

‏12.87‏

‏74.00‏

‏59.21‏

‏15.02‏

‏6.22‏

‏26‏

‏Copenhagen‏

‏Denmark‏

‏Partial‏

‏12.47‏

‏74.75‏

‏20.65‏

‏5.18‏

‏2.22‏

‏27‏

‏Moscow‏

‏Russia‏

‏Partial‏

‏11.84‏

‏47.63‏

‏128.97‏

‏50.82‏

‏22.87‏

‏28‏

‏Hamburg‏

‏Germany‏

‏Partial‏

‏11.64‏

‏72.90‏

‏50.16‏

‏12.92‏

‏5.91‏

‏29‏

‏Chicago‏

‏USA‏

‏Partial‏

‏11.46‏

‏42.54‏

‏119.61‏

‏52.77‏

‏24.54‏

‏30‏

‏Philadelphia‏

‏USA‏

‏Partial‏

‏11.30‏

‏42.54‏

‏68.37‏

‏30.16‏

‏14.22‏

‏31‏

‏Bucharest‏

‏Romania‏

‏Partial‏

‏11.18‏

‏75.41‏

‏17.23‏

‏4.29‏

‏2.04‏

‏32‏

‏Cologne‏

‏Germany‏

‏Partial‏

‏11.14‏

‏72.90‏

‏28.51‏

‏7.34‏

‏3.51‏

‏33‏

‏Geneva‏

‏Switzerland‏

‏Partial‏

‏11.12‏

‏61.20‏

‏5.90‏

‏1.81‏

‏0.87‏

‏34‏

‏Boston‏

‏USA‏

‏Legal‏

‏11.01‏

‏42.54‏

‏28.59‏

‏12.61‏

‏6.10‏

‏35‏

‏Adelaide‏

‏Australia‏

‏Partial‏

‏10.91‏

‏56.76‏

‏41.60‏

‏13.75‏

‏6.72‏

‏36‏

‏Istanbul‏

‏Turkey‏

‏Partial‏

‏10.87‏

‏82.13‏

‏21.79‏

‏4.98‏

‏2.44‏

‏37‏

‏Melbourne‏

‏Australia‏

‏Partial‏

‏10.84‏

‏56.76‏

‏132.75‏

‏43.90‏

‏21.58‏

‏38‏

‏Sydney‏

‏Australia‏

‏Partial‏

‏10.79‏

‏56.76‏

‏138.36‏

‏45.75‏

‏22.59‏

‏39‏

‏New York‏

‏USA‏

‏Partial‏

‏10.76‏

‏42.54‏

‏354.48‏

‏156.40‏

‏77.44‏

‏40‏

‏Düsseldorf‏

‏Germany‏

‏Partial‏

‏10.70‏

‏72.90‏

‏15.82‏

‏4.07‏

‏2.03‏

‏41‏

‏Brisbane‏

‏Australia‏

‏Partial‏

‏10.63‏

‏56.76‏

‏66.88‏

‏22.12‏

‏11.09‏

‏42‏

‏Hanover‏

‏Germany‏

‏Partial‏

‏10.51‏

‏72.90‏

‏13.46‏

‏3.47‏

‏1.76‏

‏43‏

‏Prague‏

‏Czech Rep.‏

‏Partial‏

‏10.47‏

‏77.42‏

‏63.95‏

‏15.50‏

‏7.89‏

‏44‏

‏Frankfurt‏

‏Germany‏

‏Partial‏

‏10.29‏

‏72.90‏

‏18.06‏

‏4.65‏

‏2.41‏

‏45‏

‏Wellington‏

‏New Zealand‏

‏Partial‏

‏10.11‏

‏77.34‏

‏19.53‏

‏4.74‏

‏2.50‏

‏46‏

‏Dallas‏

‏USA‏

‏Partial‏

‏10.03‏

‏42.54‏

‏51.01‏

‏22.50‏

‏11.95‏

‏47‏

‏Houston‏

‏USA‏

‏Partial‏

‏10.03‏

‏42.54‏

‏89.13‏

‏39.32‏

‏20.89‏

‏48‏

‏Vilnius‏

‏Lithuania‏

‏Illegal‏

‏10.00‏

‏75.76‏

‏5.20‏

‏1.29‏

‏0.69‏

‏49‏

‏Zurich‏

‏Switzerland‏

‏Partial‏

‏9.71‏

‏61.20‏

‏10.33‏

‏3.17‏

‏1.74‏

‏50‏

‏Montpellier‏

‏France‏

‏Illegal‏

‏9.70‏

‏80.30‏

‏12.21‏

‏2.85‏

‏1.57‏

‏51‏

‏Canberra‏

‏Australia‏

‏Partial‏

‏9.65‏

‏56.76‏

‏10.96‏

‏3.63‏

‏2.00‏

‏52‏

‏Zagreb‏

‏Croatia‏

‏Partial‏

‏9.43‏

‏75.26‏

‏24.35‏

‏6.07‏

‏3.43‏

‏53‏

‏Nice‏

‏France‏

‏Illegal‏

‏9.40‏

‏80.30‏

‏15.80‏

‏3.69‏

‏2.09‏

‏54‏

‏Phoenix‏

‏USA‏

‏Partial‏

‏9.35‏

‏42.54‏

‏58.26‏

‏25.71‏

‏14.65‏

‏55‏

‏Paris‏

‏France‏

‏Illegal‏

‏9.30‏

‏80.30‏

‏102.25‏

‏23.90‏

‏13.69‏

‏56‏

‏Miami‏

‏USA‏

‏Partial‏

‏9.27‏

‏42.54‏

‏16.24‏

‏7.16‏

‏4.12‏

‏57‏

‏San Francisco‏

‏USA‏

‏Legal‏

‏9.27‏

‏42.54‏

‏30.94‏

‏13.65‏

‏7.85‏

‏58‏

‏London‏

‏UK‏

‏Illegal‏

‏9.20‏

‏82.16‏

‏237.35‏

‏54.22‏

‏31.40‏

‏59‏

‏Colombo‏

‏Sri Lanka‏

‏Illegal‏

‏9.12‏

‏73.78‏

‏3.98‏

‏1.01‏

‏0.59‏

‏60‏

‏Riga‏

‏Latvia‏

‏Illegal‏

‏9.00‏

‏76.89‏

‏10.23‏

‏2.50‏

‏1.48‏

‏61‏

‏Bratislava‏

‏Slovakia‏

‏Illegal‏

‏8.92‏

‏81.54‏

‏7.24‏

‏1.67‏

‏1.00‏

‏62‏

‏Milan‏

‏Italy‏

‏Partial‏

‏8.85‏

‏75.68‏

‏46.06‏

‏11.42‏

‏6.88‏

‏63‏

‏Varna‏

‏Bulgaria‏

‏Illegal‏

‏8.83‏

‏82.65‏

‏4.84‏

‏1.10‏

‏0.66‏

‏64‏

‏Marseille‏

‏France‏

‏Illegal‏

‏8.69‏

‏80.30‏

‏36.23‏

‏8.47‏

‏5.19‏

‏65‏

‏Glasgow‏

‏UK‏

‏Illegal‏

‏8.65‏

‏82.16‏

‏15.21‏

‏3.47‏

‏2.14‏

‏66‏

‏Toulouse‏

‏France‏

‏Illegal‏

‏8.62‏

‏80.30‏

‏18.67‏

‏4.36‏

‏2.70‏

‏67‏

‏Birmingham‏

‏UK‏

‏Illegal‏

‏8.58‏

‏82.16‏

‏27.73‏

‏6.34‏

‏3.93‏

‏68‏

‏Kuala Lumpur‏

‏Malaysia‏

‏Illegal‏

‏8.54‏

‏55.36‏

‏6.61‏

‏2.24‏

‏1.40‏

‏69‏

‏Monterrey‏

‏Mexico‏

‏Partial‏

‏8.45‏

‏65.87‏

‏4.17‏

‏1.19‏

‏0.75‏

‏70‏

‏Edinburgh‏

‏UK‏

‏Illegal‏

‏8.41‏

‏82.16‏

‏12.22‏

‏2.79‏

‏1.77‏

‏71‏

‏Lisbon‏

‏Portugal‏

‏Partial‏

‏8.36‏

‏74.51‏

‏4.69‏

‏1.18‏

‏0.75‏

‏72‏

‏Strasbourg‏

‏France‏

‏Illegal‏

‏8.35‏

‏80.30‏

‏11.13‏

‏2.60‏

‏1.66‏

‏73‏

‏Warsaw‏

‏Poland‏

‏Partial‏

‏8.31‏

‏80.29‏

‏29.27‏

‏6.84‏

‏4.39‏

‏74‏

‏Lyon‏

‏France‏

‏Illegal‏

‏8.20‏

‏80.30‏

‏19.45‏

‏4.55‏

‏2.95‏

‏75‏

‏Los Angeles‏

‏USA‏

‏Legal‏

‏8.14‏

‏42.54‏

‏124.88‏

‏55.10‏

‏36.06‏

‏76‏

‏Liverpool‏

‏UK‏

‏Illegal‏

‏7.94‏

‏82.16‏

‏10.86‏

‏2.48‏

‏1.67‏

‏77‏

‏Amsterdam‏

‏Netherlands‏

‏Partial‏

‏7.89‏

‏73.40‏

‏20.94‏

‏5.35‏

‏3.61‏

‏78‏

‏Manchester‏

‏UK‏

‏Illegal‏

‏7.88‏

‏82.16‏

‏58.99‏

‏13.48‏

‏9.11‏

‏79‏

‏Rome‏

‏Italy‏

‏Partial‏

‏7.86‏

‏75.68‏

‏88.16‏

‏21.86‏

‏14.82‏

‏80‏

‏Toronto‏

‏Canada‏

‏Partial‏

‏7.82‏

‏69.80‏

‏124.15‏

‏33.38‏

‏22.75‏

‏81‏

‏Denver‏

‏USA‏

‏Legal‏

‏7.79‏

‏42.54‏

‏20.53‏

‏9.06‏

‏6.20‏

‏82‏

‏Naples‏

‏Italy‏

‏Partial‏

‏7.75‏

‏75.68‏

‏29.82‏

‏7.40‏

‏5.08‏

‏83‏

‏Leeds‏

‏UK‏

‏Illegal‏

‏7.67‏

‏82.16‏

‏16.93‏

‏3.87‏

‏2.69‏

‏84‏

‏Seattle‏

‏USA‏

‏Legal‏

‏7.58‏

‏42.54‏

‏20.59‏

‏9.08‏

‏6.39‏

‏85‏

‏Madrid‏

‏Spain‏

‏Partial‏

‏7.47‏

‏78.09‏

‏93.40‏

‏22.45‏

‏16.01‏

‏86‏

‏Calgary‏

‏Canada‏

‏Partial‏

‏7.30‏

‏69.80‏

‏52.23‏

‏14.05‏

‏10.25‏

‏87‏

‏Luxembourg City‏

‏Luxembourg‏

‏Partial‏

‏7.26‏

‏70.24‏

‏1.62‏

‏0.43‏

‏0.32‏

‏88‏

‏San Jose‏

‏Costa Rica‏

‏Partial‏

‏7.23‏

‏69.76‏

‏7.84‏

‏2.11‏

‏1.56‏

‏89‏

‏Buenos Aires‏

‏Argentina‏

‏Partial‏

‏7.13‏

‏69.84‏

‏25.32‏

‏6.81‏

‏5.09‏

‏90‏

‏Brussels‏

‏Belgium‏

‏Partial‏

‏7.09‏

‏75.92‏

‏15.50‏

‏3.83‏

‏2.88‏

‏91‏

‏Santo Domingo‏

‏Dominican Rep.‏

‏Illegal‏

‏6.93‏

‏58.87‏

‏0.67‏

‏0.21‏

‏0.16‏

‏92‏

‏Graz‏

‏Austria‏

‏Partial‏

‏6.84‏

‏74.00‏

‏4.81‏

‏1.22‏

‏0.95‏

‏93‏

‏Budapest‏

‏Hungary‏

‏Illegal‏

‏6.74‏

‏77.26‏

‏7.70‏

‏1.87‏

‏1.48‏

‏94‏

‏Sofia‏

‏Bulgaria‏

‏Illegal‏

‏6.66‏

‏82.65‏

‏12.83‏

‏2.91‏

‏2.33‏

‏95‏

‏Ottawa‏

‏Canada‏

‏Partial‏

‏6.62‏

‏69.80‏

‏35.43‏

‏9.53‏

‏7.67‏

‏96‏

‏Vancouver‏

‏Canada‏

‏Partial‏

‏6.40‏

‏69.80‏

‏23.44‏

‏6.30‏

‏5.25‏

‏97‏

‏Sao Paulo‏

‏Brazil‏

‏Partial‏

‏6.38‏

‏64.94‏

‏68.55‏

‏19.81‏

‏16.55‏

‏98‏

‏Rotterdam‏

‏Netherlands‏

‏Partial‏

‏6.33‏

‏73.40‏

‏12.75‏

‏3.26‏

‏2.74‏

‏99‏

‏Ljubljana‏

‏Slovenia‏

‏Partial‏

‏6.32‏

‏80.41‏

‏3.43‏

‏0.80‏

‏0.67‏

‏100‏

‏Barcelona‏

‏Spain‏

‏Partial‏

‏6.23‏

‏78.09‏

‏39.59‏

‏9.51‏

‏8.14‏

‏101‏

‏Montreal‏

‏Canada‏

‏Partial‏

‏6.15‏

‏69.80‏

‏60.52‏

‏16.27‏

‏14.10‏

‏102‏

‏Kiev‏

‏Ukraine‏

‏Partial‏

‏6.00‏

‏74.78‏

‏14.73‏

‏3.70‏

‏3.28‏

‏103‏

‏Abuja‏

‏Nigeria‏

‏Illegal‏

‏5.88‏

‏20.63‏

‏7.40‏

‏6.73‏

‏6.10‏

‏104‏

‏Lima‏

‏Peru‏

‏Partial‏

‏5.88‏

‏37.83‏

‏12.28‏

‏6.09‏

‏5.52‏

‏105‏

‏Mexico City‏

‏Mexico‏

‏Partial‏

‏5.87‏

‏65.87‏

‏22.58‏

‏6.43‏

‏5.84‏

‏106‏

‏Cape Town‏

‏South Africa‏

‏Illegal‏

‏5.82‏

‏48.80‏

‏2.47‏

‏0.95‏

‏0.87‏

‏107‏

‏Karachi‏

‏Pakistan‏

‏Illegal‏

‏5.32‏

‏60.70‏

‏135.48‏

‏41.89‏

‏41.95‏

‏108‏

‏Manila‏

‏Philippines‏

‏Illegal‏

‏5.24‏

‏74.27‏

‏2.32‏

‏0.59‏

‏0.60‏

‏109‏

‏Rio de Janeiro‏

‏Brazil‏

‏Partial‏

‏5.11‏

‏64.94‏

‏28.82‏

‏8.33‏

‏8.69‏

‏110‏

‏Mumbai‏

‏India‏

‏Partial‏

‏4.57‏

‏60.39‏

‏89.38‏

‏27.78‏

‏32.38‏

‏111‏

‏New Delhi‏

‏India‏

‏Partial‏

‏4.38‏

‏60.39‏

‏101.20‏

‏31.45‏

‏38.26‏

‏112‏

‏Antwerp‏

‏Belgium‏

‏Partial‏

‏4.29‏

‏75.92‏

‏4.10‏

‏1.01‏

‏1.26‏

‏113‏

‏Astana‏

‏Kazakhstan‏

‏Illegal‏

‏4.22‏

‏39.29‏

‏1.78‏

‏0.85‏

‏1.07‏

‏114‏

‏Montevideo‏

‏Uruguay‏

‏Legal‏

‏4.15‏

‏66.75‏

‏19.54‏

‏5.50‏

‏7.06‏

‏115‏

‏Johannesburg‏

‏South Africa‏

‏Illegal‏

‏4.01‏

‏48.80‏

‏3.76‏

‏1.45‏

‏1.92‏

‏116‏

‏Panama City‏

‏Panama‏

‏Illegal‏

‏3.85‏

‏56.52‏

‏0.81‏

‏0.27‏

‏0.37‏

‏117‏

‏Jakarta‏

‏Indonesia‏

‏Illegal‏

‏3.79‏

‏53.40‏

‏1.92‏

‏0.68‏

‏0.95‏

‏118‏

‏Asuncion‏

‏Paraguay‏

‏Partial‏

‏2.22‏

‏16.00‏

‏0.16‏

‏0.19‏

‏0.46‏

‏119‏

‏Bogota‏

‏Colombia‏

‏Partial‏

‏2.20‏

‏49.44‏

‏15.80‏

‏6.00‏

‏14.53‏

‏120‏

‏Quito‏

‏Ecuador‏

‏Partial‏

‏1.34‏

‏70.39‏

‏0.56‏

‏0.15‏

‏0.60‏

‏Methodology‏

‏Selection of the cities:‏

‏To select the cities for the study, Seedo first looked at the top and bottom cannabis consuming countries around the world. Then they analysed nations where marijuana is partially or completely legal, as well as illegal, and selected the final list of 120 cities in order to best offer a representative comparison of the global cannabis price. ‏

‏Data:‏

● ‏Price per gram, US$ ‏ ‏- Crowdsourced city-level surveys adjusted to World Drug Report 2017 of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.‏

● ‏Taxes on Cigarettes, % of the most sold brand‏ ‏ – Taxes as a percentage of the retail price of the most sold brand (total tax). ‏ ‏Source‏ ‏: Appendix 2 of the WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic, 2015.‏

● ‏Annual possible tax collection is calculated in the following way: ‏

● ‏Total_Possible_Tax=Population_City*Prevalence*Avg_Consumption_year_gr*price*tax_level, where:‏

● ‏Population: latest available local population data sources.‏

● ‏Annual Prevalence (percentage of population, having used weed in the year). Source: World Drug Report 2017 of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime‏

● ‏Average Consumption of weed per year in grams (people who consumed weed at least once in the previous year). ‏

● ‏Estimation, with the assumption, that one use of weed on average means one joint. ‏

● ‏One joint is assumed to have 0.66 grams of weed as in the paper of Mariani, Brooks, Haney and Levin (2010). ‏

● ‏The distribution of use during the year is assumed to be the same as in Zhao and Harris (2004), where the yearly usage varies from once or twice a year to everyday.‏

● ‏Total Consumption in Tons‏

● ‏Consumption=Population*Prevalence*Consumption_year_gr‏

● ‏Population: latest available local population data sources.‏

● ‏Annual Prevalence (percentage of population, having used weed in the year). ‏ ‏Source‏ ‏: World Drug Report 2017 of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime‏

● ‏Average Consumption of weed per year in grams (people who consumed weed at least once in the previous year).‏

● ‏Estimation, with the assumption, that one use of weed on average means one joint. ‏

● ‏One joint is assumed to have 0.66 grams of weed as in the paper of Mariani, Brooks, Haney and Levin (2010). ‏

● ‏The distribution of use during the year is assumed to be the same as in Zhao and Harris (2004), where the yearly usage varies from once or twice a year to everyday. ‏

● ‏US tax level ‏ ‏- Average tax level in the states of US where weed is legal: Alaska, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Nevada, Oregon and Washington. Includes retail sales taxes, state taxes, local taxes and excise taxes.‏

● ‏Legality‏

○ ‏Legal, if possession and selling for recreational and medical use is legal.‏

○ ‏Illegal, if possession and selling for recreational and medical use is illegal.‏

○ ‏Partial, if ‏

■ ‏Possession of small amounts is decriminalised (criminal penalties lessened, fines and regulated permits may still apply)‏

■ ‏OR medicinal use legal‏

■ ‏OR possession is legal, selling illegal‏

■ ‏OR scientific use legal‏

■ ‏OR usage allowed in restricted areas (e.g. homes or coffee shops)‏

■ ‏OR local laws may apply to legality (e.g. illegal at federal level, legal at state level)‏

‏First quote: Based on New York City Council’s free lunch initiative which began in September 2017, with 1.1 million public school children, at a cost of $1.75 per child per day.‏

Sci-Tech

Neuroband Clothing Gives Athletes Measurable Performance Boost

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What Do Peyton Manning, Dwight Howard, and Diana Nyad Have in Common? They all rely on performance-enhancing technology. Forget drugs that boost performance but cause health problems – and get athletes stripped of medals, titles and anything else they’ve earned.

alignmed system

Professionals and amateurs alike have discovered a new technology, Neurobands, to optimize their performance on the field and alleviate pain from current and prior injuries. Developed with the help of a 16-member team of physicians, trainers and other specialists, Neurobands mimic contractions that stimulate neuron pathways in specific muscles so they continuously adjust muscle balance to keeping the skeleton in alignment.

“Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning, who’s had repeated neck and back injuries and multiple surgeries, now has eight therapeutic shirts with built-in Neurobands and wears them pretty much every day,” says Bill Schultz, who brought the technology to market via his company, AlignMed, www.alignmed.com .

“Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard began wearing MyLign shirts after suffering a torn labrum [shoulder injury] in January 2013 when he was with the Lakers. The National Basketball Association approved it as a medical device.”

Is this where we are heading? Hi-tech clothing that approaches Batman's body enhancements and armor? Could be. CP
Is this where we are heading? Hi-tech clothing that approaches Batman’s body enhancements and armor?

And Diana Nyad wore one when she made her record-breaking swim from Cuba to the Keys last year,” he says.

Nyad, who injured her shoulder in her 2011 crossing attempt, can be heard asking during a training session, “When are we gonna put my shirt back on?” in the 2013 documentary, “The Other Shore: The Diana Nyad Story.”

How and why do therapeutic posture shirts work? Schultz explains.

• Body alignment and good posture are the key recognizable characteristics of human health and a fundamental requirement for performance.  The skeletal system will best support the weight and forces put on the body using the least amount of energy when it is correctly aligned. However, many people, including professional athletes, have a difficult time maintaining perfect alignment, or posture, either because they’ve had an injury that impedes it or because they’re unable to do so without making a conscious effort. “These shirts are actually even more helpful and effective for people who sit at desks all day, since they tend to sit with their head forward,” Schultz says.

• Compression shirts don’t perform the same function. Compression shirts are designed to indiscriminately squeeze regional body parts. The only scientifically validated benefit is increased blood flow in the legs when certain regions are compressed, Schultz says, adding compression garments tend to be worn more for an aesthetic the wearer hopes to achieve.

• Correct alignment improves blood flow and reduces stress on joints. Increased blood flow improves muscle strength. In one of the independent studies done on AlignMed Posture Shirts, the University of Southern California tested pitchers’ velocity, accuracy and throwing arm physiology when wearing the shirts and when wearing their usual game day undergarments. Velocity increased 1.47 mph and an overall 23.5 percent improvement in accuracy. “Reducing the excess force on joints cuts down on fatigue, the No. 1 cause of injury,” Schultz says.  For the Silo, Ginny Grimsley.

About Bill Schultz Bill is founder and president of AlignMed, www.alignmed.com , a leading research-based innovator focused on the mechanical, neurological and aesthetic functions of posture. Through clinical studies and with the help of the AlignMed Advisory panel of 16 physicians, trainers and other specialists, Schultz has helped deliver critical information on the benefits of a proper posture to universities, medical clinics, physical therapists, strength coaches, the Air Force Academy and professional athletes. In September, Schultz received a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition for “outstanding and invaluable service.”

Supplemental- the S3 Brace: