SoylentNews is people
SoylentNews
Researches have created a strain of yeast with THC, as well as other parts of marijuana.
In August, researchers announced they had genetically engineered yeast to produce the powerful painkiller hydrocodone. Now comes the perhaps inevitable sequel: Scientists have created yeasts that can make important constituents of marijuana, including the main psychoactive compound, tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC.
Synthetic versions of THC are available in pill form under brand names like Marinol and Cesamet; they are generally used to treat nausea, vomiting and loss of appetite caused by H.I.V. infection or cancer chemotherapy. Genetically modified yeast could make THC in a cheaper and more streamlined way than traditional chemical synthesis.
Using yeast could also shed light on the clinical usefulness of cannabis-derived compounds. Marijuana is increasingly embraced as medicine, yet there is limited evidence that it is effective against many of the conditions for which it is prescribed. Researchers hoping to separate fact from wishful thinking will need much better access to marijuana's unique constituents. Modified yeast may provide them.
Why can't they just legalize cannabis, and none of this would be necessary?
(Score: 2) by sudo rm -rf on Thursday September 17 2015, @03:03PM
To add to the "fun" of this, crooked cops can conduct illegal searches of vehicles by claiming to smell pot (a claim that is completely impossible to disprove)
Or, as anecdotal evidence shows what seems to be a hobby of southern german police, blind you in the middle of the night with their ultra-powerful flashlight and find it suspicious when you try to shield your eyes (drug-induced light sensitivity!). And in the following search find "large amounts of cash" (in my case DM50, ca USD30) with you - drug money!! Hell, my friend even got pulled over because a cop saw him "throw a joint out of his window" from 50 meters away.
Interestingly, I have been searched for illegal drugs (and weapons, for that matter) countless times, but I was not tested for alcohol once.
(Score: 2) by tibman on Thursday September 17 2015, @04:02PM
I've always heard the polizei were really aggressive and if they couldn't stay busy doing legit work they would invent some.
SN won't survive on lurkers alone. Write comments.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday September 17 2015, @04:18PM
Been living in Germany for the last ten years, and have no idea what kind of BS you're pushing.
Maybe you're mistaking the LAPD and how they deal with black people with how police work in civilized countries.
(Score: 2) by tibman on Thursday September 17 2015, @04:44PM
I was born in a small Bavarian town and spent most of my teens around Stuttgart. You know, southern Germany. I have yet to visit Los Angeles.
SN won't survive on lurkers alone. Write comments.
(Score: 2) by sudo rm -rf on Thursday September 17 2015, @05:26PM
I suppose you don't live in a "Zollgrenzbezirk", i.e. an area of about 30 km (at least) from the nearest border. Also bavarian police is well known for their hit first, ask later policy and very often moved to other federal states (e.g 1st Mai Berlin, NATO/G8 summits etc.) for riot control. Baden-Würtemberg police does not stand behind [spiegel.de] in this regard.