Anthony Martinelli is Founder and Editor-in-Chief of The Marijuana Herald, a daily marijuana news and information website that launched in 2018. You can reach Anthony at [email protected].
Anthony Martinelli
Author's posts
Feb 10 2025
Government-Funded Study Finds Marijuana Stores Reduce Opioid Deaths, But Do Not Increase Suicides or Car Crashes
A large-scale study analyzing over a decade of data from Washington state suggests that a higher density of marijuana retail stores is associated with lower mortality rates from opioid overdoses and accidental poisonings. Published in The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, the study examined county-level mortality data from 2009 to 2020, comparing it …
Feb 10 2025
Michigan Governor Proposes Increasing Marijuana Excise Tax from 10% to 32%
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer is proposed to more than triple the state’s excise tax on recreational marijuana sales. In order to fund $3 billion in needed road repairs, the governor is proposing a series of tax increases. One of those increases would impact recreational marijuana sales, with the governor wanting to increase the excise tax …
Feb 10 2025
Connecticut: Over $23 Million Worth of Marijuana Sold Legally in January
In January, licensed marijuana stores in Connecticut sold $23,585,404 worth of marijuana and marijuana products. According to data released today by the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection, there was $17,218,699 in recreational marijuana sold in December in addition to $6,366,705 worth of medical marijuana. The combined $23,585,404 marks a slight decrease from the record-breaking $25.4 …
Feb 10 2025
U.S. Court of Appeals Overturns Marijuana User’s Gun Ban Conviction, Citing Second Amendment Concerns
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit has vacated a three-year prison sentence for a man convicted of possessing a firearm while using marijuana, determining that the government’s ban on gun ownership for drug users cannot be applied indiscriminately. The ruling by the court found that while restricting firearm access for certain drug …
Feb 09 2025
Study: Combination of Cannabinoids Show Promise for Treating Abdominal Pain Caused by Inflammatory Bowel Disease
A new study published in The Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics suggests that nonpsychotropic cannabinoids (npCBs) such as cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabigerol (CBG) may help reduce abdominal pain associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Researchers from the University of Calgary found that these cannabinoids, both individually and in combination, alleviated visceral hypersensitivity in an …
Feb 08 2025
Tennessee Medical Cannabis Act Advances in Senate
Tennessee’s Senate Bill 489, known as the Medical Cannabis Act, has been “Passed on Second Consideration” and referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee for further review. Sponsored by State Senator Janice Bowling (R) and filed on January 29, the bill would establish a regulated medical marijuana program in Tennessee. It outlines a framework for cultivation, …
Feb 07 2025
New Mexico Bill Would Require Cannabis Businesses With 10+ Employees to Sign Labor Peace Agreements
Legislation in New Mexico to mandate labor peace agreements for cannabis businesses with ten or more employees was filed today in the state’s House of Representatives. Sponsored by State Representatives Andrea Romero (D), Javier Martínez (D), and Christine Chandler (D), House Bill 331 would require cannabis businesses in New Mexico with ten or more employees …
Feb 07 2025
On-Premise Cannabis Consumption Act Filed in Illinois Legislature
State Representative Justin Slaughter has introduced House Bill 3513, the On-Premise Cannabis Consumption Act, in the Illinois Legislature. The bill, filed today, would allow counties and municipalities to issue licenses for temporary events and cannabis hospitality venues where marijuana consumption is permitted. Under the proposed legislation, licensed events and venues could allow the consumption of …
Feb 07 2025
New Hampshire Legislation to Legalize Psilocybin Scheduled for Public Hearing on February 12
New Hampshire legislation to legalize psilocybin, which was initially scheduled for a public hearing February 6, is now scheduled for a hearing on February 12. The hearing will take place in the House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee in Legislative Office Building 202-204, at 3:30pm. The hearing was initially set to take place on …
Feb 07 2025
New Florida Bill Would Expand Medical Marijuana Program
Florida State Senator Joe Gruters (R) introduced Senate Bill 552 today, proposing significant amendments to the state’s medical marijuana laws. The bill would expand the list of qualifying conditions for medical marijuana use, allowing patients with conditions similar to those already recognized to qualify, even if their specific diagnosis is not on the official list …
