Jun 16 2025

Study: Most Chronic Pain Patients Report Daily Marijuana Use With High Efficacy and Minimal Cognitive Side Effects

A large majority of chronic pain patients certified to use medical marijuana report using it daily and experiencing strong symptom relief, with few side effects, according to a new study published in Cureus.

Researchers from Rothman Orthopaedic Institute, Penn State College of Medicine, and Thomas Jefferson University conducted a prospective study of 129 patients certified for medical marijuana in Pennsylvania for at least one year between October 2022 and December 2024. Participants completed a questionnaire evaluating their marijuana use patterns, perceived effectiveness, cognitive effects, and dosage awareness.

The study found that 77.5% of patients reported using medical marijuana daily or near-daily. Topical products were the most common method of consumption, with 63.6% of respondents reporting use. While roughly half of the participants did not know their exact THC or CBD dose, those who did reported a median oral dosage of 10 milligrams.
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Jun 16 2025

Global Cannabis Cultivation Market Expected to Hit $652 Billion by 2034, Finds Report

The global cannabis cultivation industry is projected to grow from $180.7 billion in 2025 to $651.8 billion by 2034, according to a new report released by Research and Markets.

The report anticipates a compound annual growth rate of 15.3%, driven by expanding legalization, increasing demand for premium cannabis, and continued advances in cultivation technology.

The report points to a growing global consumer preference for high-quality cannabis flower and extracts, leading cultivators to focus more on strain innovation, cannabinoid potency, and terpene profiles. On the medical side, the demand for pharmaceutical-grade marijuana has encouraged producers to adopt controlled environment agriculture and automation to ensure consistency and efficiency.
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Jun 16 2025

Study: Low-Dose CBD Produces Antidepressant Effects in Adolescent Rats Without Long-Term Cognitive Impact

According to a new study published in the journal Pharmacological Reports, cannabidiol (CBD) provided antidepressant-like effects in adolescent rats, with no apparent long-term consequences on cognition or emotional behavior.

For the study, researchers administered CBD at varying doses (10, 30, and 60 mg/kg) to adolescent male and female rats over the course of seven days. Antidepressant-like responses were assessed both shortly after administration and 24 hours after repeated dosing using the forced-swim test. While the lowest dose (10 mg/kg) led to clear antidepressant-like effects, the higher doses did not produce significant changes in either sex.

The study also examined neurochemical changes in the hippocampus, including markers like CB1 and CB2 receptors, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and cell proliferation. No alterations were observed at any dose level, suggesting that the behavioral effects were not directly tied to changes in hippocampal neuroplasticity.
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Jun 16 2025

Smart & Safe Florida Submits 386,637 Valid Signatures for Marijuana Legalization Initiative

Smart & Safe Florida has now submitted 386,637 valid signatures to the Florida Division of Elections in support of a proposed constitutional amendment to legalize recreational marijuana, with the group hoping to put the proposal to a vote in 2026.

The total, confirmed as of June 16, brings the campaign to nearly 44% of the 880,062 signatures required by the February 2026 deadline.

The initiative would legalize the possession, use, and purchase of marijuana for everyone 21 and older, bringing Florida in line with the growing number of states that have legalized recreational use. Under the proposed amendment, individuals would be allowed to possess up to two ounces of marijuana for personal use. However, the measure explicitly prohibits smoking or vaping marijuana in public places, reinforcing existing clean air regulations and maintaining restrictions similar to those applied to tobacco.
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Jun 16 2025

Governor Abbott Has Less Than a Week to Decide on Hemp THC Ban and Expansion of Medical Cannabis Program

Texas Governor Greg Abbott now has less than a week left to decide the fate of a bill that would ban hemp-derived THC, and one that would expand the state’s compassionate use program.

Abott has until June 22 to either sign or veto the measures. If he takes no action, both bills will automatically become law without his signature.

One of the bills, House Bill 46, would significantly expand Texas’ limited medical marijuana program. It would allow patients with chronic pain, terminal illness, or traumatic brain injury to qualify for medical marijuana and would boost the number of licensed dispensaries from three to fifteen. It also authorizes new consumption methods, including patches and inhalers.
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Jun 16 2025

Montana: $129 Million in Legal Cannabis Sold So Far in 2025, Bringing All-Time Total to $1.07 Billion

Montana’s legal marijuana market has generated over $129 million in sales through the first five months of 2025, according to new data released by the Montana Department of Revenue.

Of the $129,013,022 sold this year, adult-use sales accounted for the majority, with over $119.6 million in revenue. Medical marijuana sales brought in an additional $9.4 million. Sales in May alone totaled more than $27.4 million, up from $26.2 million in April, and the most since October.

Montana voters approved the legalization of recreational marijuana in 2020, with licensed sales beginning in January 2022. Since then, the state has recorded a total of $1,076,931,711 in marijuana sales—$217.6 million from medical marijuana and $859.4 million from adult-use.
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Jun 16 2025

Study: Psilocybin Reduced Depression and Anxiety Symptoms in Mice Exposed to Chronic Stress

According to a study published in the journal Translational Psychiatry, psilocybin reduced key symptoms of depression and anxiety in mice subjected to chronic stress.

Dried psilocybin mushrooms.

“In the search for novel rapid-acting antidepressants, the psychedelic psilocybin has emerged as a promising therapy in several clinical trials”, states the study’s abstract. “However, its antidepressant mechanism of action is still not well understood.”

With that in mind, the aim of this study “was to evaluate the therapeutic potential of psilocybin in ameliorating the adverse behavioural and neurochemical consequences of chronic stress.”
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Jun 14 2025

Maryland Sets New Monthly Marijuana Sales Record With Over $102 Million in May, Bringing Year-to-Date Total to Almost $500 Million

Maryland’s legal marijuana market brought in a record-breaking $102,723,690 in sales for May 2025, according to newly released data from the Maryland Cannabis Administration.

The figure marks the highest single-month total since legal sales began, pushing the state’s year-to-date marijuana revenue to $480.7 million. The previous monthly record was $100.6 million sold in August 2024.

Adult-use purchases once again made up the majority of the sales. Flower led the way among product categories, generating $49 million. Concentrates followed with $31 million, while edibles accounted for $12 million. The remaining sales came from other products, including tinctures, capsules, and topicals. The average price per gram in May was $8.57.
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Jun 14 2025

California Proposes Permanent Ban on Hemp-Derived THC, Projecting Massive Economic Losses

California is moving to make permanent an emergency ban on hemp-derived THC products.

Hemp plants (photo credit: Heather Ainsworth for The Wall Street Journal).

On Friday, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) announced a proposal to codify the ban, triggering a 45-day public comment period and setting the stage for a public hearing next month. If adopted, the rule would extend beyond the temporary emergency ban backed by Governor Gavin Newsom, which is set to expire in September.

Hemp-derived THC products are allowed nationwide via a loophole in the 2018 farm bill, which legalized industrial hemp. Although it’s certainly not what many lawmakers intended with the law, it has resulted in a proliferation of companies —including online retailers and local brick-and-mortar businesses like gas stations and smoke shops— selling a plethora of hemp THC products, such as THC beverages, gummies, and tinctures.
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Jun 14 2025

Barbados Opens First Medicinal Marijuana Dispensary, Signaling Industry Milestone

Island Therapeutics Inc. has become the first licensed business to open a medical marijuana dispensary in Barbados, a major step forward nearly five years after the nation legalized the industry.

The facility, located in Worthing, Christ Church, held its official opening Friday evening. The event drew support from government officials, medical professionals, academics, and members of the Rastafarian community—groups that have played key roles in shaping the island’s cannabis policy.

“This is a proud moment for us and for Barbados,” said Island Therapeutics co-owner Kevin Hudson. “Our cannabis is locally grown and dispensed with purpose and care at every stage—from seed to shelf.” He said the dispensary was designed to prioritize patients, adding, “We built this space where wellness meets professionalism and where each person is met with respect, knowledge and compassion.”
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