Green Bridge Society

04/12/2026

Ron's Corner
As 4/20 approaches, I keep coming back to one simple truth: cannabis is cannabis. We’ve created all these categories around it — adult use, medical use, recreational use — but the plant itself does not care why someone reaches for it. It shows up the same way regardless. For one person, it may be relief from pain, anxiety, inflammation, or sleepless nights. For another, it may be stress relief, laughter, connection, creativity, or simply a better moment in a hard world. The label changes. The plant does not. That is why I believe the line between “medical” and “adult use” is often more about perception than reality. Cannabis has always been more than what the stigma tried to make it. It is comfort. It is calm. It is focus. It is relief. It is joy. It is that old friend that puts an arm around you when life gets heavy and reminds you to breathe. And yes, even when cannabis helps someone relax, laugh, or enjoy life a little more, that matters too. Mental health matters. Peace matters. Joy matters. As we celebrate 4/20 this year, I think we should pause and appreciate this plant for what it has meant to so many people. Not just as a product. Not just as an industry. But as something natural that has helped people get through pain, stress, grief, trauma, isolation, and the simple weight of everyday life. We have come a long way. But we still have a long way to go. Cannabis has been legislated for decades through fear, lies, and stigma. And the truth is, too many of the people making decisions about it still do not understand it. I saw that firsthand when a senator and members of their staff visited our facility. We gave them a full tour — the farm, the grow, the lab, the office — and at one point I picked up a bottle of CBG tincture to show them. They literally stepped back as if I were holding something dangerous. It was a tincture. A plant extract. A wellness product. And in that moment, all I could think was: these are the people making our laws, and they are still afraid of what they do not understand. Some of them did not even want their picture taken because their constituents were “not ready.” Not ready for what? The truth? Education? A plant? That is exactly what we are up against. So this 4/20, let’s do more than celebrate. Let’s educate. Let’s challenge the old lies. Let’s push back on the fear. Let’s have real conversations with lawmakers, neighbors, families, and communities about what cannabis actually is — and what it is not. Because cannabis is not the problem. Stigma is. Ignorance is. Cowardice is. And the more people who speak honestly about this plant, the harder it becomes for bad policy and outdated thinking to survive. Cannabis has been there for people in some of their hardest moments. It deserves more than stigma. It deserves truth. It deserves respect. And the people who rely on it deserve laws shaped by education, not fear. This 4/20, be grateful. Be honest. Be louder. Because we are not just defending a plant anymore. We are defending truth, access, and the right to feel better without shame.

— Ron Boyles
From the newsletter

04/09/2026

For a lot of patients, the hardest part is not getting approved. It’s knowing where to start after they do.

A shelf full of products can be overwhelming when nobody has taken the time to explain the basics.

Flower? V**e? Tincture? How much? What should I avoid? What might actually help?

That confusion leads many patients to have a bad experience and give up too soon.

At Green Bridge, we believe patients deserve more than a card. They deserve education, support, and real guidance on what comes next.

04/07/2026

It’s happening.
The Green Bridge Roadtrip to 4/20 is officially underway.

The car is packed.
The schedule is packed.
And Bex packed like we’re about to start a new life somewhere.

We’ve got a full lineup of dispensaries to visit and people to meet this week as we roll through West Virginia and Ohio.

Follow along to see where we pop up next.
If you see us out there, say hi.
If you want us to stop by, message us… we might already be on the way. Maryland and Virginia next week!

04/01/2026

Green Bridge Society is proud to launch PetBridge — medical cannabis certifications for pets.

03/31/2026

Bex and I are hitting the road.
Over the next few weeks, we’ll be making our way through West Virginia, Ohio, Maryland, and Virginia as part of our Road to 4/20.

We’ll be stopping in to say hello, meet dispensary teams, drop off some Green Bridge goodies, and have a little fun along the way. If you know us, you already know it probably won’t be boring.

This trip is for dispensary people and patients alike. If you’d like us to stop by your dispensary, business, or even just swing through your area and drop off some goodies, reach out. We’ll do our best to fit it in.

We’re building up to:
PA Cannafest in Kutztown on April 18–19
and then heading to Local Leaf for a 4/20 celebration.

Follow along for the road trip antics, weird stops, dispensary visits, and whatever else Bex and I get ourselves into.

If you want us to stop by, send us a message.

03/22/2026

--Beta-Caryophyllene: The Terpene That Acts Like a Cannabinoid--
Beta-caryophyllene is one of the most fascinating terpenes found in cannabis. This terpene interacts directly with the body’s endocannabinoid system. Beta-caryophyllene occurs naturally in many plants, including oregano, cloves, cinnamon, and hops, but it is especially abundant in black pepper. In fact, the essential oil of West African black pepper (Piper guineense) can contain roughly 60 percent caryophyllene, making it one of the richest natural sources of the compound.

Research has shown that it binds selectively to the CB2 receptor, one of the primary receptors in the endocannabinoid system. This is the same receptor targeted by the body’s own endocannabinoids, such as anandamide and 2-AG. Unlike CB1 receptors, which are responsible for the psychoactive effects of THC, CB2 receptors are largely found in immune cells and peripheral tissues. Because of this, CB2 activation is being heavily studied as a therapeutic target for conditions involving inflammation, pain, immune regulation, osteoporosis, and cardiovascular disease.

Laboratory and preclinical studies have produced a growing list of potential therapeutic benefits. Beta-caryophyllene has shown promising effects in models of colitis, osteoarthritis, metabolic disorders such as diabetes, cerebral ischemia, anxiety, depression, liver fibrosis, Alzheimer-like neurodegeneration, and even cancer biology. Some researchers believe its benefits may come from a combination of anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and neuroprotective mechanisms, along with its ability to modulate immune signaling through CB2 receptors. Importantly, beta-caryophyllene is orally bioavailable, meaning it can be absorbed when consumed in tinctures, capsules, or infused foods in addition to inhaled products.

Anecdotally, formulations rich in beta-caryophyllene are frequently reported to help patients dealing with anxiety, inflammatory pain, arthritis, and even substance cravings. While more human clinical trials are still needed, beta-caryophyllene already stands out as one of the most biologically active terpenes discovered in cannabis.

03/21/2026

--Remembering a Pioneer of Cannabis Science: Dr. Raphael Mechoulam--
When people talk about the modern era of cannabis research, one name appears again and again: Dr. Raphael Mechoulam. Often referred to as the “father of cannabis research,” Mechoulam helped transform cannabis from a mysterious plant with poorly understood effects into one of the most scientifically studied medicinal plants in the world. Much of his groundbreaking work was carried out at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, where he spent decades investigating the chemistry and pharmacology of cannabinoids.

The modern scientific story of cannabis truly began in 1964, when Mechoulam and colleague Yehiel Gaoni successfully isolated and determined the chemical structure of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary psychoactive compound in cannabis. Before this discovery, scientists knew cannabis produced strong effects but had not identified the molecule responsible. Mechoulam’s work solved that puzzle and opened the door to studying cannabinoids with the same rigor used for other drugs like morphine and co***ne.

His contributions went even deeper. In the early 1990s, Mechoulam’s laboratory helped uncover a major biological system that had previously gone unnoticed—the endocannabinoid system (ECS). His team identified the first endogenous cannabinoids produced by the human body, including anandamide in 1992 and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) in 1995. These discoveries showed that the body produces its own cannabis-like molecules that interact with cannabinoid receptors to regulate many physiological processes such as mood, pain, appetite, and memory.

Over the course of his career, Mechoulam published hundreds of scientific papers and helped establish an entire field of cannabinoid science. His research laid the foundation for many of the cannabis-based medicines and therapeutic investigations being explored today.

03/20/2026

--CBD Enters Phase 2 Trial for Endometriosis Pain After Key Regulatory Approval--
A new clinical trial in the United Kingdom is taking a closer look at the potential role of CBD in treating one of the most painful and often underdiagnosed conditions affecting women: endometriosis. Ananda Pharma recently received approval from the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and the NHS Health Research Authority to begin dosing patients in its Phase 2 ENDOCAN clinical trial. The study will evaluate MRX1, the company’s proprietary CBD oral solution, for the treatment of endometriosis-associated pain.

The double-blind, placebo-controlled study will enroll up to 100 women across NHS Lothian and NHS Grampian in Scotland. Led by endometriosis experts at the University of Edinburgh and funded by Scotland’s Chief Scientist Office, the trial will run for a 12-week treatment period. If successful, the research could represent a meaningful step toward a CBD-based medicine that could eventually receive regulatory approval and be prescribed through the UK’s National Health Service.

According to Ananda Pharma CEO Melissa Sturgess, what makes this trial particularly important is that MRX1 is being developed as a pharmaceutical-grade product designed to move through the full regulatory pathway. That means the goal is not simply to study CBD’s effects, but to potentially create a standardized medication that doctors could one day prescribe for patients suffering from endometriosis pain.

The ENDOCAN trial has been several years in the making. Ananda began pursuing the study in 2023 after acquiring MRX Medical Limited, the developer of MRX1. Since then, the company has invested heavily in stability testing, regulatory preparation, and early human research. A Phase 1 pharmacokinetic study conducted in Australia in 2025 showed a favorable safety profile, with only mild adverse events reported. With regulatory approvals now secured, researchers are preparing to begin patient dosing in what could become an important step forward in cannabinoid-based medicine for chronic pain conditions.

03/19/2026

Join Us Tonight! Register on Eventbrite.
Green Bridge Live - March 19th @ 7PM
Live Medical Cannabis Questions and Answers

At Green Bridge Society, we believe education is key to making the most of medical cannabis. That’s why we’re hosting live online Q&A sessions, designed to provide trusted, science-backed information to patients, caregivers, and anyone looking to learn more about medical cannabis. Join us for this free online event tonight at 7PM.

Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/green-bridge-live-medical-cannabis-qa-tickets-1984770568198?aff=oddtdtcreator

03/18/2026

--Large Study Finds No Link Between Lifetime Cannabis Use and Dementia Risk--
A new study in BMJ Mental Health challenges a common fear about cannabis: that it speeds up brain aging or raises dementia risk. Researchers from Yale and the University of Oxford analyzed data from two enormous cohorts, the UK Biobank and the US Million Veteran Program, totaling hundreds of thousands of participants, to examine cognitive performance and dementia outcomes in older adults.

The key takeaway is straightforward: lifetime cannabis use was not associated with faster long-term cognitive decline or a higher risk of dementia. In the UK Biobank analysis, people who reported lifetime cannabis use performed modestly better at baseline on certain measures like numeric memory and fluid intelligence. Importantly, when researchers looked at cognitive change over time, cannabis use did not predict worsening performance.

To strengthen the findings, the study also used Mendelian randomization, a genetics-based method that helps test whether observed associations are likely causal rather than explained by other factors like education or socioeconomic status. That genetic analysis found no evidence of a causal relationship between cannabis use and cognitive decline or dementia risk, adding weight to the overall conclusion.

Bottom line for patients and clinicians: these results are reassuring for occasional or prior use and help push back on outdated stereotypes. At the same time, this is not an endorsement of heavy or high-dose use, especially in older adults, where risks like dizziness, falls, and medication interactions still matter. The authors note that more research with more detailed dosing and longer follow-up is needed to refine guidance.

03/17/2026