Dec 12 2024

New York Bill to Amend Definition of Crops, Livestock and Livestock Products to Include Marijuana Delivered to Governor

New York Assembly Bill 1234, which would include cannabis within the legal definition of crops, livestock, and livestock products, was officially delivered to Governor Kathy Hochul today.

The bill passed overwhelmingly in both legislative chambers earlier this year, with a 58-3 vote in the Senate and a 141-3 vote in the Assembly.

Filed by Assemblymember Donna Lupardo in January 2023 with 21 bipartisan cosponsors, the measure amends Section 301 of New York’s agriculture and markets law by adding cannabis to the list of agricultural products. If signed into law, this legislation will recognize cannabis as an agricultural commodity, aligning it with crops like fruits, vegetables, and grains under state law.
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Dec 12 2024

Medical Marijuana Now Legal in Nebraska, 39th State to Do So

Two medical marijuana initiatives, approved overwhelmingly by voters last month, are now in effect.

Today, the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Patient Protection Act (Initiative 437) and the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Regulation Act (Initiative 438) officially took effect.

The Nebraska Medical Cannabis Patient Protection Act provides legal safeguards for patients, allowing them to possess up to five ounces of marijuana for medical use, if they receive a recommendation from a physician. The measure also provides legal protections for healthcare providers who recommend medical marijuana.
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Dec 12 2024

Study: Cannabis Suppositories May Improve Sexual Function in Women Post-Gynaecological Cancer

Researchers from London Metropolitan University, Regent’s University London, and Imperial College London found that cannabis suppositories and online mindful compassion interventions significantly improved sexual function and reduced pain for women recovering from gynaecological cancer.

The study, published in the journal Medicina, highlights the profound effect such treatments have on female sexuality and the limited research addressing these issues. The trial involved 83 women, aged 18 to 50+, who were at least six months post-treatment. Participants were divided into four groups: cannabis-only (CO), mindful-compassion (MC), a combination of the two (COCM), and a care-as-usual control group (CAU).

Findings revealed significant improvements in sexual function, including arousal, lubrication, and orgasms, in both the MC and COCM groups. Notably, sexual pain decreased in the COCM and CO groups. Participant feedback suggested cannabis facilitated mindful compassion’s effects, enhancing well-being, sexual self-efficacy, and quality of life.
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Dec 11 2024

Nebraska Medical Marijuana Laws Will Take Effect Thursday, Following Judge’s Denial of Injunction

A Lancaster County judge has rejected a plea to delay Nebraska’s newly passed medical cannabis laws, allowing them to proceed as scheduled.

Judge Susan Strong on Wednesday declined to issue an injunction that would have prevented Governor Jim Pillen from signing the measures into law by Thursday’s deadline. These measures, Initiative Measures 437 and 438, were overwhelmingly approved by voters last month.

Initiative Measure 437, which passed with 71% voter support, allows patients with a doctor’s recommendation to possess up to five ounces of medical cannabis. Initiative Measure 438, supported by 67% of voters, establishes the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission to oversee the regulation, licensing, and distribution of medical marijuana, mirroring the structure of the state’s Liquor Control Commission.
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Dec 11 2024

Florida Judge Sides with Firefighter Suspended Over Medical Marijuana, Orders Back Pay and Damages

A Florida judge has ruled that a paramedic suspended for testing positive for medical marijuana in 2019 was wrongfully treated.

Hillsborough County Judge Melissa Polo determined that Hillsborough County Fire and Rescue violated the Florida Civil Rights Act by failing to accommodate Angelo Giambrone, a paramedic with a valid medical marijuana card. The court ruled that Giambrone is entitled to back pay, compensatory damages, and coverage of attorney fees and costs.

Judge Polo emphasized that employees with medical marijuana cards must be accommodated if they use the drug offsite and are not under the influence during work hours or on county property. Giambrone, who suffers from anxiety and a sleep disorder, had been prescribed medical marijuana to manage his conditions.
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Dec 11 2024

Minnesota Cancels Early Marijuana License Lottery Amid Legal Challenges

Minnesota’s Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) has cancelled its lottery for early marijuana business licenses intended to go to social equity recipients.

The cancellation follows lawsuits claiming certain applicants were unfairly excluded, leading a Ramsey County judge to halt the lottery initially scheduled for late last month. OCM explained that the intended benefits of preapproval licenses—allowing businesses to launch ahead of those with standard licenses—are no longer feasible due to the legal delays preventing timely implementation.

The cancellation could impact Minnesota’s marijuana supply, as recipients of early preapproval licenses would have been able to begin cultivation before those issued standard licenses.
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Dec 11 2024

Colorado Collects $20 Million in Marijuana Taxes in November, $236 Million in 2024

Colorado generated $20,147,794.18 in marijuana tax revenue in November, according to data from the Colorado Department of Revenue.

This figure is consistent with the $20.9 million made in October and the $21.1 million collected in September. The state’s highest monthly total this year remains $23.2 million, recorded in April.

Year-to-date marijuana tax revenue in Colorado has reached $236,223,020, contributing to an all-time total of $2,854,380,752 since legal sales began in 2014.
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Dec 10 2024

New York: $919 Million in Marijuana Sold Legally in 2024, Resulting in nearly $100 Million in Taxes

New York’s legal marijuana market is on track to surpass $1 billion in sales before the end of 2024.

According to data presented at today’s Cannabis Control Board (CCB) meeting, the state currently has 261 licensed marijuana stores, with sales reaching $919 million so far in 2024. This puts New York on track to pass the $1 billion mark before the end of the year.

“We will comfortably break that billion-dollar mark for the first time before the end of the year,” said John Kagia, who serves as director of policy at the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM). “That’s a billion dollars of cannabis sold legally to adults in New York State—cannabis that is no longer being purchased from the unregulated market. It’s also generating approximately $100 million in tax revenue to fund critical state programs. This is just the beginning, but what a start.”
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Dec 10 2024

Wisconsin Governor Names Marijuana Legalization as a Top Priority for 2025 Legislative Session

Wisconsin’s governor has highlighted marijuana legalization as a top priority for the state’s 2025 legislative session.

Governor Tony Evers (D) (photo credit: Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images).

Speaking during a budget listening tour last week, Governor Tony Evers (D) outlined his post-election plans, ranking “legalizing marijuana” second among his administration’s objectives for the coming year. Other key proposals included healthcare expansion, gun safety measures, and additional reforms.

Evers, a long-time advocate for marijuana legalization, continues to face opposition from the Republican-controlled legislature. Although Democrats gained seats in the last election, they remain the minority in both chambers, presenting significant hurdles to passing comprehensive legalization before the 2026 elections.
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Dec 10 2024

Psychedelics, Especially Psilocybin and LSD, Show Promise for Easing Depression and Anxiety in Terminally Ill Patients, Study Finds

A new systematic review and network meta-analysis, published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology, explores the potential of psychedelics to alleviate existential distress in terminally ill patients.

Dried psilocybin (left) and LSD (right).

Conducted by researchers from the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, the Italy Department of Mental Health and Drug Abuse, and the University Utrecht in the Netherlands, the study analyzed data from nine randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving 606 participants.

The analysis assessed the efficacy and safety of psychedelics such as psilocybin, ketamine, LSD, and MDMA. Results showed significant improvements in depression and anxiety compared to control groups.

“Network meta-analysis identified psilocybin as the most effective compound for depression, and LSD for anxiety. However, head-to-head comparison between psychedelics did not reach statistical significance”, states the study. “The rates of treatment discontinuation and adverse events between psychedelics and controls were comparable.”
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