The University of Illinois Springfield (UIS) has partnered with Green Flower, a leading cannabis education provider, to launch five online certificate programs aimed at preparing individuals for careers in the rapidly expanding marijuana industry.

These programs, which span six months, are designed to be completed entirely online, allowing participants to balance their education with other commitments.

The available certificate programs include:
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Oklahoma medical marijuana dispensaries sold over $715 million worth of product in 2024, garnering the state tens of millions in tax revenue.

According to date released by the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority (OMMA), the state garnered $24.5 million from a 7% excise tax on medical marijuana sales in the second half of 2024, adding to the $25.6 million garnered between January and June. Based on these numbers, medical marijuana patients purchased $716 million worth of marijuana and marijuana products throughout 2024.

Oklahoma garnered an additional $32 million from medical marijuana sales via the 4.5% state sales tax. In total, Oklahoma brought in around $82 million in medical marijuana tax revenue in 2024.
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A recent study published in the peer reviewed journal Fish & Shellfish Immunology found that kratom extract “has the potential to be used as a substitute for antibiotics in the management of bacterial infections in Nile tilapia.”

The study explored the effects of an ethanolic extract derived from Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) leaves on Nile tilapia. The research aimed to evaluate the extract’s impact on growth, antioxidant capacity, immune-related gene expression, and resistance to bacterial infections caused by Edwardsiella tarda.

The study found that the extract contained significant levels of phytochemicals, including total phenolics, flavonoids, vitamin C, and antioxidants, with 5.42% of the crude extract consisting of mitragynine. Antioxidant activity was demonstrated through IC50 values for ABTS and DPPH radicals and ferric reducing power assays. Additionally, the extract inhibited bacterial growth with an MIC-IC50 value of 0.625 mg/mL and a minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of 2.50 mg/mL against E. tarda.
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Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan announced today that Charlene Briner will step down after building the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) from the ground up.

In the announcement, Walz and Flanagan announced that OCM General Counsel Eric Taubel will serve as interim director.

“Charlene Briner has gotten Minnesota’s emerging cannabis industry off the ground in a safe and responsible way. It’s no easy task to build a regulatory framework around an entirely new industry from scratch, but under Charlene’s leadership, Minnesota laid the foundation for a successful marketplace for years to come,” said Governor Walz. “I am excited to welcome Eric Taubel as the new interim director. Eric is a proven, effective leader who brings legal expertise and a deep understating of state government and regulatory affairs. He will ensure continued growth and success as we work to make Minnesota competitive in this new industry.”
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The Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB) announced recently that outgoing Governor Jay Inslee has appointed Jim Vollendroff, MPA, as chair of the LCB board.

Jim Vollendroff, MPA.

Chair Vollendroff will fulfill former Chair David Postman’s term which concludes in Jan. 2027. Postman vacated the board chair position recently to serve as chief of staff for incoming Attorney General Nick Brown. Prior to his appointment, Chair Vollendroff has served as a board member since 2022.

“I am grateful for the opportunity. Together with Board Member Ollie Garrett, I look forward to continuing the board’s work in my new role as chair, said Vollendroff. “I want to thank former Chair David Postman for his years of leadership. I am eager to work with my fellow board members and LCB staff addressing emerging trends within the dynamic industries we license and regulate.”
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For the second straight month, marijuana sales in Missouri broke the previous monthly record.

There was $130.51 million worth of marijuana and marijuana products sold legally in Missouri in December, breaking the previous record of $128 million set the prior month. This brings 2024’s total to $1.36 billion, and the all-time total to $3.4 billion.

A large majority of December’s marijuana sales were recreational purchases, accounting for $115.47 million. In contrast, medical marijuana patients purchased $15.04 million in product in December.
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Today, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) announced that it has transferred $5,459,172 in funds generated by Missouri’s adult use marijuana program to agencies as outlined in Article XIV, Section 2, of the Missouri Constitution, including the Missouri Veterans Commission.

This brings the total amount transferred from funds generated by Missouri’s adult use marijuana program this fiscal year to $21,836,688, and that total has been distributed to recipient agencies of adult use program funds as follows:
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