Feb 06 2025

Tennessee Republicans File Bicameral Legislation to Ban THCa and THCp in Hemp-Derived Products

Tennessee legislators have introduced bicameral legislation that would criminalize producing, selling, and possessing hemp-derived products containing tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCa) and tetrahydrocannabiphorol (THCp).

House Bill 1148, sponsored by State Representative Ed Butler (R) and six Republican cosponsors, was filed alongside its companion measure, Senate Bill 1236, introduced by Senator Ferrell Haile (R).

The legislation removes THCa and THCp from the list of authorized hemp-derived cannabinoids under Tennessee law. It also creates a Class A misdemeanor for individuals who knowingly manufacture, sell, or distribute products containing substances not on the state’s approved list of hemp-derived cannabinoids. Additionally, consumers who knowingly purchase, possess, or accept such products would face the same misdemeanor charge.
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Feb 06 2025

Illinois Lawmaker Files Bill to Launch Psilocybin Equity Pilot Program

Illinois State Representative Theresa Mah (D) introduced House Bill 2992 today, known as the Healing Opportunities through Psilocybin Equity Pilot Program Act.

The legislation would create a regulatory framework for the production, distribution, and supervised use of psilocybin, the psychoactive compound found in psychedelic mushrooms.

The bill outlines the formation of the Illinois Psilocybin Advisory Board within the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. The board would be responsible for guiding the development of regulations and overseeing the program’s implementation. Multiple state agencies—including the Department of Public Health, the Department of Agriculture, the Illinois State Police, and the Department of Revenue—would play roles in regulating different aspects of the psilocybin industry.
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Feb 06 2025

Study: CBD May Help Kill Ovarian Cancer Cells by Disrupting Their Fat Metabolism

A study published in Scientific Reports found that cannabidiol (CBD) disrupts lipid metabolism and induces apoptosis in ovarian cancer cells through cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1R)-mediated endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress.

Researchers examined how CBD affects lipid metabolic pathways in ovarian cancer cells, given the role of metabolic reprogramming in tumor survival. The study found that CBD significantly inhibited ovarian cancer cell proliferation, reduced fatty acid levels, and suppressed the expression of genes involved in fatty acid uptake and synthesis.

Further analysis using RNA sequencing and real-time RT-PCR revealed that CBD activated ER stress pathways, leading to apoptosis. When researchers supplemented cells with unsaturated fatty acids or blocked CB1R, ER stress, or reactive oxygen species (ROS) signals, they observed a significant reduction in CBD-induced apoptosis, G0-G1 phase cell cycle arrest, and mitochondrial dysfunction.
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Feb 06 2025

Missouri Has Transfered Nearly $50 Million in Medical Cannabis Funds to Support Veterans

This week, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) transferred $3.25 million in funds from Missouri’s medical marijuana program to the Missouri Veterans Commission (MVC).

(Photo credit: GETTY Images).

This transfer brings the total transferred to the MVC from the medical marijuana program since its inception is $49,728,820.

Missourians voted in November 2018 to adopt Constitutional Amendment 2, which is now known as Article XIV. The amendment includes a provision requiring that fees and taxes generated by the medical marijuana program, minus operational expenses, be transferred to the MVC for health and care services for military veterans. Article XIV states that medical marijuana sold in licensed dispensaries will be taxed at a rate of 4%. Since dispensary sales began in October 2020, more than $1 billion in medical sales have occurred.
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Feb 05 2025

Washington State Bill to Legalize Personal Marijuana Cultivation Scheduled for Committee Vote

Legislation to legalize personal marijuana cultivation in Washington State has been scheduled for a vote in its committee of origin on February 11.

House Bill 1449, filed by a group of 16 state representatives, has been scheduled for an executive session vote on February 11 at 1:30pm in the House Consumer Protection & Business Committee. Typically the committee will not schedule a vote unless there’s enough support to approve it.

Under the proposed law, those 21 and older would be allowed grow up to six cannabis plants at a private residence, with a maximum of 15 plants allowed per household. Although the current possession limit for cannabis in Washington is one ounce, HB 1449 would allow those who grow marijuana to possess whatever is harvested from those plants.
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Feb 05 2025

Tennessee: “Pot for Potholes” Act to Legalize Marijuana Filed in Senate, Two Days After Being Filed in House of Representatives

Senator Heidi Campbell (D) filed the “Pot for Potholes Act” in the Tennessee Senate today.

Senate Bill 921 was “filed for introduction today”, two days after State Representative Aftyn Behn (D) introduced House Bill 703, a companion measure.

The “Pot for Potholes Act” would legalize recreational marijuana, including establishing a regulatory framework for the cultivation, processing, and retail sale of marijuana and marijuana products in Tennessee, with oversight by the state’s Department of Agriculture.
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Feb 05 2025

Washington Committee Holds Public Hearing on Psilocybin Bill

Today, Washington’s House Health Care & Wellness Committee held a public hearing on House Bill 1433, a measure to legalize medical psilocybin in a highly regulated manner.

Dried psilocybin mushrooms (photo credit: Shutterstock).

Filed by State Representative Nicole Macri (D) with 29 sponsors, HB 1433 would allow those with a physician recommendation to use psilocybin. The bill would create a structured framework allowing licensed facilitators to administer psilocybin in supervised settings. The Washington State Department of Health and Liquor and Cannabis Board would oversee the program, with input from a newly formed Psychedelic Substances Board responsible for developing licensing requirements and safety protocols.

Senate Bill 5201, a companion bill to HB 1433, is scheduled for a public hearing at 8am February 6 in the Senate Health & Long-Term Care Committee.
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Feb 05 2025

Arkansas: $24 Million in December Medical Marijuana Sales, $275 Million in 2024, Over 75,000 Pounds Sold

Medical marijuana sales in Arkansas reached $275.9 million in 2024, with December contributing $24 million to the total.

According to the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, the state’s 37 dispensaries sold 75,598 pounds of medical marijuana throughout the year, marking a significant increase from the 62,227 pounds sold in 2023. However, despite higher product sales, total revenue fell short of the record $283 million set in the previous year, largely due to lower prices.

In December alone, patients purchased 6,721 pounds of medical marijuana, maintaining a consistent monthly sales trend seen throughout the year. November also saw $24 million in sales, with 6,759 pounds sold. The Hot Springs dispensary Suite 443 led in sales for the month, surpassing 746 pounds.
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Feb 05 2025

Arkansas Lawmakers File Bill to Allow Medical Marijuana Purchases With Health Savings Accounts

Legislation to allow qualifying patients and designated caregivers to purchase medical marijuana using a flexible spending account (FSA) or a health savings account (HSA) has been filed in the Arkansas Legislature.

(Photo credit: IStockphoto).

House Bill 1408 was filed today by State Representatives Aaron Pilkington (R) and Joshua Bryant (R). The measure would amend state law to explicitly permit the use of these accounts for medical marijuana purchases under the Arkansas Medical Marijuana Amendment of 2016 (Amendment 98).

The bill defines an FSA as a medical expense account established within an employer-sponsored cafeteria plan and an HSA as a tax-advantaged account linked to a high-deductible health plan, consistent with federal tax law.
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Feb 05 2025

US Senators Discuss Marijuana Banking Access at Committee Hearing

Today, lawmakers in the Senate addressed the financial struggles of marijuana businesses, with bipartisan remarks underscoring the industry’s banking challenges and a need for reform.

While some senators framed the issue within a broader federal policy discussion, others focused on the immediate need for financial access.

During the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs hearing, Chairman Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) repeatedly insisted the discussion should focus on financial barriers for “federally legal” businesses. Despite this, several members from both parties raised concerns about the challenges faced by state-licensed marijuana businesses.
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