Mar 24 2025

Maryland: Governor and Lawmakers Propose 33% Marijuana Tax Increase in New Budget Proposal

Maryland lawmakers, in collaboration with Governor Wes Moore, have unveiled a sweeping budget framework that includes over $1 billion in tax increases—one of the most controversial being a significant hike in marijuana taxes.

The agreement, part of a broader plan to address a $3 billion budget deficit for fiscal year 2026, includes a staggering 33% increase in the state’s cannabis excise tax.

The move, which has already drawn fierce opposition from industry stakeholders and consumers alike, generate hundreds of millions in new revenue, according to proponents of the move. They say the additional funds would be directed toward essential services, including education, public safety, and transportation, lawmakers claim. However, critics argue that the tax hike could stifle Maryland’s burgeoning legal cannabis market, making it harder for dispensaries to compete with the illicit market.
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Mar 24 2025

States With the Lowest Legal Cannabis Prices as of March 2025

The price of cannabis differs significantly across the 21 states with legal recreational markets. Here, we explore the states with the lowest average costs per gram of dried flower.

Variations in tax rates, regulations, and other factors contribute to the wide range of cannabis prices from state to state. Using data from state regulatory agencies—and in cases where that isn’t available, insights from the research firm Headset—we’ve compiled a list of the states with the lowest average recreational cannabis prices.

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Mar 23 2025

Bipartisan Minnesota Bill Would Allow Free Cannabis Samples at Events

A new bill introduced today in the Minnesota Senate would allow licensed marijuana retailers to provide free samples at cannabis-related events.

Senate Bill 2890 was filed with bipartisan support by Senator Zach Duckworth (R) and Senator David Dibble (D). The bill was formally introduced and referred to the Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee.

Under the proposed legislation, authorized cannabis retailers participating in cannabis events—such as microbusinesses, mezzobusinesses, and lower-potency hemp edible retailers—would be allowed to give away samples of marijuana and marijuana-derived products, a move currently prohibited under state law. According to the bill, only one sample of each product may be displayed or offered, and samples must be clearly labeled and securely stored. Limits are also placed on the sample size, including a cap of eight grams for flower or concentrates and 100 milligrams of THC for infused edibles.
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Mar 23 2025

U.S. Congress: Legislation to Block Marijuana Tax Deductions Even if Marijuana is Rescheduled Gains 11th Sponsor

A congressional proposal to prevent marijuana businesses from accessing standard tax deductions—regardless of whether marijuana is federally rescheduled—has now garnered 11 sponsors across both chambers of Congress.

In the House of Representatives, the bill—introduced last month by Representative Jodey Arrington (R-TX)—gained its ninth sponsor on Friday, with Representative Adrian Smith (R-NE) signing on. The legislation, House Bill 1447, would amend the Internal Revenue Code to ensure that marijuana businesses remain barred from deducting common business expenses such as rent and payroll, even if the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) moves marijuana to a lower schedule.

Currently, Section 280E of the tax code prohibits businesses tied to Schedule I or II substances from claiming deductions. A rescheduling of marijuana to Schedule III would typically lift that restriction, offering marijuana businesses some financial relief. Arrington’s bill is designed to block that change, locking in the tax burden even after rescheduling.
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Mar 22 2025

Alabama Court of Civil Appeals Voids Four More Temporary Restraining Orders Against Medical Marijuana Commission

The Alabama Court of Civil Appeals has struck down four additional temporary restraining orders (TROs) that had been placed against the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission (AMCC), delivering another legal victory for the agency as it works to implement the state’s medical marijuana program.

In a unanimous ruling issued Friday, the appellate court instructed Montgomery County Circuit Judge James Anderson to vacate the TROs in cases involving three integrated facility applicants and one dispensary applicant. The court reaffirmed its earlier finding that the AMCC’s administrative process is not yet final, meaning the lower court lacks jurisdiction to intervene at this stage.

“We are pleased that the Court of Civil Appeals has once again affirmed that investigative hearings and not lawsuits are the next right step in implementing Alabama’s medical cannabis program,” said AMCC Director John McMillan. “I appreciate the work of our legal team and trust that today’s decision will go a long way toward ending the premature litigation against the Commission.”
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Mar 21 2025

WA Bill to Eliminate Residency Requirement for Marijuana Licenses Scheduled for March 25 Public Hearing

A bill that would remove Washington’s residency requirement for marijuana license holders is scheduled for a public hearing in the House Committee on Finance at 8:00a.m. on March 25.

House Bill 2037 was filed last week by State Representative Melanie Morgan (D). The proposal would “modernize adult use cannabis laws” by eliminating the requirement that cannabis license holders reside in Washington, while simultaneously creating targeted tax exemptions for businesses owned by social equity applicants.

According to the bill’s findings section, the current residency requirement has restricted Washington licensees from accessing out-of-state investment, placing them at a disadvantage compared to licensees in nearly all other legal marijuana states. Lawmakers also note that the requirement poses a significant barrier for social equity applicants, many of whom lack the capital to establish and sustain a cannabis business.
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Mar 21 2025

Report Finds Psychedelic Mushrooms Market to Grow from $1.5 Billion to $3.3 Billion by 2031

The global psychedelic mushrooms market is projected to more than double over the next seven years, growing from an estimated $1.5 billion in 2024 to $3.3 billion by 2031.

That’s according to a new report by Persistence Market Research, which forecasts a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.3% through 2031, up from a historical CAGR of 8.12% between 2019 and 2023.

This sharp rise is being driven by growing demand for psilocybin-based therapies to address mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, PTSD and addiction. The report notes that clinical trials are producing encouraging results, while psilocybin’s connection to enhanced neurogenesis and cognitive function is gaining broader recognition in the medical field.
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Mar 21 2025

North Carolina Lawmakers Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Regulate Kratom Sales

A bipartisan group of six North Carolina lawmakers introduced House Bill 468 yesterday, a comprehensive measure that would regulate the sale, distribution, manufacturing, and labeling of kratom products throughout the state.

Filed by Representative Jeff McNeely, the bill establishes a comprehensive licensing and regulatory framework for kratom, an herbal substance derived from the Mitragyna speciosa tree, commonly used for pain relief, mood enhancement, energy, and as a natural alternative to opioids. Under the proposal, no kratom product could be sold to anyone under 21, and all products would be required to meet strict testing and packaging standards.

The Alcohol Law Enforcement (ALE) Division would oversee enforcement, licensing, and compliance. Licenses would be required for all kratom manufacturers, distributors, and retail sellers, including online vendors. License fees range from $250 for retail sellers to $15,000 for manufacturers, with reduced fees available for small businesses. All licenses would be valid for one year and subject to renewal.
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Mar 21 2025

Oklahoma: $56 Million in Medical Marijuana Sold in February, Generating Nearly $4 Million in Taxes

Oklahoma medical marijuana dispensaries sold over $56.2 million worth of product in February, according to data released by the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority (OMMA).

The sales generated $3,937,092 in tax revenue for the state, based on Oklahoma’s 7% excise tax on medical marijuana. When combined with January’s data, the state has made $8,125,709 in taxes from $116,081,557.43 in medical marijuana sales so far in 2024.

Medical marijuana has been legal in Oklahoma since voters approved State Question 788 in June 2018. The initiative passed with 57% support, establishing one of the most accessible medical marijuana programs in the nation. Just months after passage, the first dispensaries began opening in October 2018.
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Mar 21 2025

Illinois Bill Would Use Marijuana Tax Revenue to Fund Free Community College in Areas Most Impacted by Drug War

A proposal to provide free community college in certain parts of Illinois using marijuana tax revenue was referred to the Rules Committee today.

(Photo credit: USA Today).

Filed in January by State Representative Rita Mayfield (D), House Bill 1170 would amend the state’s Public Community College Act to require the Illinois Community College Board to develop and maintain a program offering free tuition at one community college in each Restore, Reinvest, Renew (R3) Area.

These R3 Areas were established under the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act to support communities that have been disproportionately harmed by past drug policies, including those that have experienced high levels of violence, incarceration, and economic disinvestment.
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