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Dr. Maya Patel, PharmD

Dr. Maya Patel, PharmD

Medical Cannabis Editor

Dr. Maya Patel is a licensed pharmacist and cannabis therapeutics specialist with a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from UC San Francisco. Before joining MunchNews, she spent eight years in clinical pharmacy and cannabis research, publishing peer-reviewed studies on cannabinoid interactions. Maya translates complex medical research into accessible content, helping readers understand the science behind cannabis medicine. She serves on the editorial board of the Journal of Cannabis Research.

39 articles

medical science

Articles by Dr.

Survey of 3,500 Patients Shows Medical Cannabis Reduces Prescription Drug Use

Medical Cannabis

Survey of 3,500 Patients Shows Medical Cannabis Reduces Prescription Drug Use

A survey of over 3,500 medical cannabis patients found reduced use of opioids, sleep aids, and antidepressants after starting cannabis treatment, with fewer reported side effects than prescription medications.

Medicare Launches Pilot Covering CBD Products at $500 Per Patient

Medical Cannabis

Medicare Launches Pilot Covering CBD Products at $500 Per Patient

Medicare's new pilot program reimburses providers up to $500 annually per patient for CBD products and consultations, but only covers hemp-derived items under strict THC limits of 0.3% concentration and 3mg per serving.

Michigan Cannabis Market Posts 7.8% Year-Over-Year Decline in March

Michigan Cannabis Market Posts 7.8% Year-Over-Year Decline in March

Michigan's cannabis market posted $255.5 million in March sales, down 7.8% year-over-year despite monthly growth, as medical sales collapsed to just $0.4 million amid ongoing market saturation.

Prohibition's Hidden Tax: Medical Access, Jobs, and Public Safety

Prohibition's Hidden Tax: Medical Access, Jobs, and Public Safety

Federal cannabis prohibition creates cascading costs through restricted medical access, lost jobs, and diverted law enforcement resources—impacts that extend across healthcare, employment, and public safety.

Texas Smokable Hemp Ban Takes Effect March 31 Amid Industry Pushback

Texas Smokable Hemp Ban Takes Effect March 31 Amid Industry Pushback

Texas retailers must remove all smokable hemp products by March 31 under new state health rules that also impose stricter packaging and testing requirements on edibles.

Alabama Medical Cannabis Dispensaries Set to Open After Multi-Year Delay

Alabama Medical Cannabis Dispensaries Set to Open After Multi-Year Delay

Alabama medical marijuana dispensaries are nearing completion as the state's long-delayed program approaches its operational launch, nearly three years after legislative authorization.

Psilocybin Outperforms Nicotine Patches for Smoking Cessation

Science & Research

Psilocybin Outperforms Nicotine Patches for Smoking Cessation

Johns Hopkins research published in an AMA journal shows psilocybin plus therapy achieves higher smoking cessation rates than nicotine patches, adding clinical evidence for psychedelic treatments.

HHS Secretary Signals Fast-Track for Psychedelic Therapy Access

Medical Cannabis

HHS Secretary Signals Fast-Track for Psychedelic Therapy Access

HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. told Joe Rogan the Trump administration is working across agencies to fast-track psychedelic therapy access, though specific timelines remain unclear.

Science & Research

Study of 400,000+ Teens Links Cannabis Use to Psychosis Risk

New JAMA study tracking 400,000+ adolescents finds those who used cannabis as teens showed higher rates of psychosis, depression, and anxiety in adulthood, raising questions for regulators and industry.

Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission Chair Resigns, Cites Time Constraints

Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission Chair Resigns, Cites Time Constraints

Nebraska's Medical Cannabis Commission chair has resigned, citing time constraints. Governor Pillen is now accepting applications for the vacancy as the state works to implement its voter-approved medical marijuana program.

Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission Chair Resigns After 9 Months

Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission Chair Resigns After 9 Months

Nebraska's Medical Cannabis Commission chair resigned Monday, nine months after her appointment, creating uncertainty for the state's voter-approved medical marijuana program implementation.

California Funds $3M Study to Define 'Cannabis-Derived' Flavors in Vapes

Science & Research

California Funds $3M Study to Define 'Cannabis-Derived' Flavors in Vapes

California has allocated $3 million to develop testing methods that can distinguish cannabis-derived terpenes from synthetic or botanical additives in vape products, potentially reshaping how the state enforces its ban on non-cannabis flavoring agents.

West Virginia Sits on Medical Cannabis Revenue for Months Over Federal Banking Fears

West Virginia Sits on Medical Cannabis Revenue for Months Over Federal Banking Fears

West Virginia has collected over $1.2 million in medical cannabis licensing fees but refuses to spend it, citing federal money laundering concerns despite no prosecutions of state officials in other cannabis states.

Hochul to Include Cannabis Provisions in NY Budget Proposal

Hochul to Include Cannabis Provisions in NY Budget Proposal

New York Governor Kathy Hochul will include two cannabis-related proposals in her upcoming state budget, though specific details have not yet been announced.

Kentucky's Medical Cannabis Program Reaches Full Operation

Kentucky's Medical Cannabis Program Reaches Full Operation

Kentucky's second medical cannabis dispensary opened in Lexington this week, while the state's first processor also began operations, completing the infrastructure for a fully functional medical program.

Medical Review Highlights Research Gaps, Not Cannabis Dangers

Science & Research

Medical Review Highlights Research Gaps, Not Cannabis Dangers

A medical review calling for better cannabis research methodology was mischaracterized as a health warning by mainstream outlets, highlighting ongoing challenges in accurate science communication.

Rap & Hip Hop Videos: Marijuana's Prominence Unveiled

Rap & Hip Hop Videos: Marijuana's Prominence Unveiled

A government-supported study reveals that over a third of hip hop videos in 2024 feature marijuana, highlighting its cultural impact.

Reflecting on Leadership: California's Cannabis Market

Reflecting on Leadership: California's Cannabis Market

California's outgoing cannabis regulator reflects on leading the nation’s largest market, highlighting challenges and achievements.

Tilray Brands Sees 5% Boost in Q2 Cannabis Revenue

Tilray Brands Sees 5% Boost in Q2 Cannabis Revenue

Tilray Brands reports a 5% growth in Q2 revenue, driven by international and Canadian sales.

Medical Cannabis

Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome Gains Global Recognition

Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS), linked to chronic cannabis use, now has a WHO medical code, aiding global research.