Sep 16 2024

Florida Marijuana Legalization Campaign Raises Over $90 Million, More Than Triple Any Previous U.S. Effort

The campaign to legalize recreational marijuana in Florida has raised over $90 million.

According to the Florida Division of Elections, the nonprofit political committee Smart & Safe Florida has raised $95,352,144 for their marijuana legalization initiative, Amendment 3, as of September 6. The majority of these funds — $87.77 million — came from Trulieve, a multi-state marijuana company that operates medical marijuana dispensaries throughout the state.

The $95 million raised is more than triple any previous marijuana legalization initiative in any state. For context, California’s Proposition 64 campaign raised $25 million in 2016, and Ohio’s Issue 2 raised $7 million last year; both initiatives were successfully passed into law.
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Sep 16 2024

US Census: Legal Marijuana States Have Collected Nearly $9 Billion in Tax Revenue Since Q3 2021

According to new data released by the United States Census, there was nearly $9 billion in taxes garnered between 2021 and Q2 2024, with the actual number likely being much higher as some states have yet to report data for 2024.

According to the Census, legal marijuana states garnered $8.7 billion in tax revenue from the legal distribution of marijuana between the middle of 2021, and the end of June 2024. Among the legal marijuana states, California by far brought in the most marijuana tax revenue at around $2 billion, followed by Washington ($1.3 billion) and Colorado ($898 million).

It’s worth noting that some states, such as Washington and New Jersey, have not reported tax data for Q2 2024, meaning the actual number is likely considerably higher than the $8.7 billion being reported.
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Sep 15 2024

Former President Nixon Privately Said Marijuana is “Not Particularly Dangerous”, Called Long Sentences “Ridiculous”

In March 1973, President Richard Nixon privately admitted that marijuana wasn’t “particularly dangerous,” despite having launched the War on Drugs (primarily a war on marijuana) just two years earlier.

This remark, captured by Nixon’s secret Oval Office recording system, revealed a more nuanced view of cannabis than his public policies suggested.

During a conversation with aides, Nixon said, “Let me say, I know nothing about marijuana. I know that it’s not particularly dangerous, in other words, and most of the kids are for legalizing it. But on the other hand, it’s the wrong signal at this time.” Nixon also criticized overly harsh punishments for marijuana offenses, calling a 30-year sentence “ridiculous” and noting, “The penalties should be commensurate with the crime.”
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Sep 15 2024

Rhode Island: August is a Record-Breaking Month for Legal Marijuana Sales

August marijuana sales in Rhode Island broke the previously monthly record.

In Rhode Island, there was $8.23 million worth of recreational marijuana sold in August, in addition to $2.01 million in sales made by medical marijuana patients, according to the Department of Business Regulations. The combined $10.25 million is a new monthly record for the state, which legalized marijuana in 2021. The previous monthly record was $10.20 million sold in December 2023.

The year-to-date total for marijuana sales is now approximately $79 million, spread across 2,142,155 different transactions. The average transaction amount was $36.83.
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Sep 14 2024

Pakistan National Assembly Passes Bill to Regulate Marijuana for Industrial and Medicinal Use.

The Pakistan National Assembly has passed legislation to legalize and regulate the cultivation, manufacturing, and sale of marijuana and its derivatives for industrial and medical use.

“This legislation aims to establish a clear regulatory framework to generate government revenue through taxation and to promote the development of supply chain for industrial and medicinal cannabis”, states the objective section of the Cannabis Control and Regulatory Authority Act. “[This measure is designed to] ensure public health and safety by regulating the cultivation, extraction, refining, manufacturing and sale of cannabis and its derivatives in accordance with international obligations and best practices.”

In addition, the measure aims “to promote local development of Cannabis based medicinal and industrial products, export generation and attracting Foreign Direct Investing (FDI), undertake research, development, and capacity building initiatives in collaboration with international counterparts to promote the growth and development of the Cannabis industry in Pakistan.”
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Sep 14 2024

Clinical Trial Finds Topical Hemp Seed Oil Comparable to Diclofenac Gel for Treating Osteoarthritis

According to a new study published in the journal Pain Management Nursing, hemp seed oil may help alleviate the pain associated with knee osteoarthritis (OA), a widespread and crippling condition, especially for the elderly.

The randomized, double-blind controlled trial aimed to determine if topical hemp seed oil could provide relief comparable to standard treatments like diclofenac gel.

The study involved 90 participants who were randomly divided into three groups. One group received hemp seed oil, the second used diclofenac gel, and the third applied a placebo. Participants applied the topical treatments daily for two months, with assessments conducted at the beginning of the study and after 4 and 8 weeks.
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Sep 13 2024

Study: Cannabidiol (CBD) Shows Antiviral Effects Against SARS-CoV-2

A recent study published in the Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine has revealed that cannabidiol (CBD) may have antiviral properties against the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19.

A 3D model of SARS-CoV-2 (photo credit: Georgia State University).

“The aim of this study was to determine the antiviral activity of cannabidiol (CBD) against SARS-CoV-2 infection”, states the study’s abstract. “CBD is the second most studied cannabinoid obtained from Cannabis plants. We investigated the potential use of CBD, which has so far proven to have a positive effect on different diseases, in the SARS-CoV-2 infection.”

To test this, in vivo studies were carried out using K18-hACE2 transgenic mice, a commonly used model for studying human viral infections, including COVID-19. To reveal the potential therapeutic effect of the CBD at “the histopathological and molecular level challenge experiments were performed.”
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Sep 13 2024

New Jersey Lawmakers File Resolution Urging U.S. Congress to Deschedule Marijuana

New Jersey Assemblymember Michael Venezia (D) has introduced Assembly Resolution 153, which urges the U.S. Congress to deschedule marijuana, removing it as a controlled substance under the federal Controlled Substances Act (CSA).

(Photo credit: David Paul Morris/Bloomberg).

The resolution, co-sponsored by Representatives Gabriel Rodriguez (D), Carmen Morales (D), Verlina Reynolds-Jackson (D), and Annette Quijano (D), reflects growing support in New Jersey for federal cannabis reform.

Under the CSA, established in 1970, Schedule I substances are deemed to have a high potential for abuse, no accepted medical use, and lack safety for medical supervision. Marijuana remains classified as a Schedule I drug, despite its legalization for both medical and recreational use in New Jersey, and the growing body of research supporting its therapeutic benefits.
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Sep 13 2024

Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission Gets New Acting Chair

Massachusetts Treasurer Deborah Goldberg appointed Bruce Stebbins as acting chair of the Cannabis Control Commission (CCC) on Thursday, following the dismissal of former chair Shannon O’Brien earlier in the week.

Bruce Stebbins.

State Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg appointed Bruce Stebbins to serve as Acting Chair of the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission (Commission) until a permanent Chair is selected.

“I am honored to accept the role of Acting Chair and look forward to working together with my colleagues and Commission staff on important policy initiatives in the coming months,” Stebbins said. “This is a crucial time for the state’s cannabis industry, which has grown in my four years as a Commissioner into a multi-billion-dollar, increasingly equitable marketplace. I take seriously our mission to oversee safe, accessible cannabis businesses and will continue supporting Massachusetts’ growth as a regional and national regulatory leader in this space.”
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Sep 13 2024

FDA Asserts Authority to Remove Cannabis Products From the Market

An official with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says the agency has the power to remove cannabis-infused foods and beverages from the market.

FDA Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods James Jones.

During a House Energy & Commerce Subcommittee hearing, FDA Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods James Jones was questioned about the agency’s ability to address intoxicating cannabis products, including hemp derivatives that are legal under federal law (due to the passage of the 2018 farm bill that legalized hemp).

Jones explained that marijuana falls largely under the jurisdiction of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), but under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic (FD&C) Act, the FDA can intervene when food or drink contains an unapproved “adulterant” like THC.
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