Aug 13 2024

Nebraska Committee Advances Bill to Establish a 30% Tax on CBD and Hemp Products

A key committee in the Nebraska Legislature has given approval to legislation that would place a substantial tax on the distribution of CBD and consumable hemp products.

Hemp.

Legislative Bill 34, sponsored by Senator Lou Ann Linehan (R), would place a 30% sales tax on CBD and consumable hemp products. Yesterday, the Revenue Committee, which is chaired by Senator Linehan, voted 6 to 1 to advance the measure.

If enacted, the bill would impose the sales tax on hemp products intended for consumption, which are defined as those containing up to 0.3% THC. The tax would not apply to hemp products made from stalks or seeds for fiber or food purposes, nor to federally approved pharmaceuticals.
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Aug 13 2024

The 10 States Leading in Per Capita Marijuana Sales

As the legal marijuana industry continues to grow and mature across the United States, some states are experiencing notably high sales per capita.

Using marijuana sales data from January to July 2024, this analysis highlights the top 10 states with the highest legal marijuana sales per person. Data was collected via state regulatory agencies, as well as the research firm Headset. Population data was garnered from US Census data.

Below are the 10 States with the most legal marijuana sales per capita:
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Aug 13 2024

The 5 States With the Highest Percentage of Medical Marijuana Patients

With medical marijuana now legal in 38 states, some states have witnessed particularly high enrollment in their cannabis programs as acceptance continues to grow across the United States.

Based on the most recent data from state regulatory agencies and the Marijuana Policy Project (MPP), five states stand out for having the highest percentage of their populations registered as medical marijuana patients. Below are those five, ranked by the percentage of patients, from highest to lowest.
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Aug 13 2024

Illinois Legal Marijuana Sales Reached $168 Million in July, Year-to-Date Marijuana Tax Revenue Tops $250 Million

The legal marijuana market in Illinois generated $168 million in sales in July.

This figure is slightly above the $166 million in sales recorded in the previous month and marginally higher than the $166.8 million reported in July 2023, according to the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.

Consistent with previous months, about 85% of July’s marijuana sales in Illinois were from recreational consumers, while 15% came from licensed medical marijuana patients. Of the recreational sales, approximately $145 million, around 25% was purchased by out-of-state residents.
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Aug 13 2024

Study Finds Medical Cannabis Improves Quality of Life, Reduces Prescription Use

A new study set to be published in the October 2024 issue of The Journal of Nurse Practitioners finds that medical cannabis can significantly improve the quality of life for patients suffering from anxiety, depression, insomnia, and chronic pain.

Conducted at a medical cannabis clinic in rural Appalachia, Virginia, by researchers from Old Dominion University, the study surveyed 31 individuals. An online simultaneous pre-post–cross-sectional survey was used.

“Generally, respondents were informed about medical cannabis use but lacked knowledge about cannabis varieties and medicinal properties”, notes the study’s abstracr. “Respondents were more likely to obtain information about medical cannabis from nurse practitioners. Moreover, health and well-being improved significantly after medical cannabis was added to the treatment regimen.”
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Aug 13 2024

The 10 States Most Likely to Legalize Marijuana Next

As the momentum for marijuana legalization continues to grow across the United States, several states are on the verge of joining the ranks of those allowing recreational cannabis use.

While 24 states have already legalized marijuana, many others are actively moving toward legalization, including several states that have marijuana initiatives on this November’s ballot.

Based on the latest legislative developments, political support and ballot initiatives, here are 10 states most likely to legalize marijuana next.
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Aug 13 2024

Marijuana Smokeability Study Will Soon Select Participants to Get Paid to Smoke Joints

DaySavers and the Cannabis Research Coalition will soon select participants for their groundbreaking study, “The Science of Smokeability” (SOS).

As recruitment for this unique research opportunity comes to a close, those involved in the study are preparing to choose and announce the final participants “in the coming days”. Those chosen will be informed via e-mail.

The study will explore how various cultivation and processing techniques impact the quality and experience of smoking cannabis, addressing a significant gap in existing research. In June, DaySavers announced, “This 2+ year study will explore how cultivation and processing metrics impact the smoking experience, filling a critical gap in cannabis research.”
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Aug 12 2024

10 Important Psilocybin (Magic Mushroom) Studies Published in 2024

In 2024, a growing body of research has highlighted the potential therapeutic benefits of psilocybin, the psychedelic compound found in “magic mushrooms”.

Dried psilocybin mushrooms (photo credit: Tony Simonelli).

These studies, published in various peer-reviewed journals, have explored psilocybin’s effects on mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and even Alzheimer’s disease, among other ailments.

With that in mind, here are 10 of the most important psilocybin-related studies published so far this year:
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Aug 12 2024

DEA Has Been Analyzing Comments on Marijuana Rescheduling for Three Weeks: What Comes Next

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has spent the past three weeks, since July 22, reviewing public comments on the potential rescheduling of marijuana, a process mandated by law following the agency’s proposal to move marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act.

(Photo credit: Getty Images).

The DEA is required to analyze every comment (there’s over 43,000 in total) before deciding whether to hold a public hearing, a step advocated by nine former DEA administrators in a recent letter.

Rescheduling marijuana to Schedule III would represent a significant shift in federal policy, the largest since the implementation of the Controlled Substances Act in 1970. The move would allow for expanded research opportunities and nationwide prescriptions of marijuana-based medicines. Additionally, it would provide state-legal medical marijuana patients and businesses with critical federal protections, such as the ability to take tax deductions with the IRS.
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Aug 12 2024

Arizona Brings in $23.9 Million in Tax Revenue From Over $90 Million in Legal Marijuana Sales in July

Arizona’s legal marijuana market sold over $90 million worth of product, resulting in nearly $24 million in tax revenue.

Data from the Arizona Department of Revenue shows that the state collected $23,894,565 in taxes from approximately $91 million in licensed marijuana sales.

Arizona’s year-to-date marijuana tax revenue now totals $169,866,457. For fiscal year (FY) 2024, which ended on June 30, the state earned $289,879,253, surpassing the $283,179,058 collected in FY 2023. In FY 2022, the revenue was $255,997,918.
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