Oct 15 2024

The Most Popular Marijuana Strains in Washington State Right Now

As one of the first two states to legalize recreational marijuana, Washington has long been a leader in the U.S. marijuana market. This early start has allowed the state to develop a thriving industry, with numerous strains emerging as favorites among consumers.

Apple Fritter.

Using data from a variety of licensed cannabis stores located throughout the state, as well as data provided by Leafly, below is a breakdown of the most popular marijuana strains in Washington State as of October 2024.
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Oct 15 2024

Massachusetts Poll: 42% Support Initiative to Legalize Psychedelics, 44% Oppose, Campaign Raises Over $6 Million

Massachusetts voters could become the next state to legalize psychedelics if they choose to approve Question 4 next month. Polling shows it’s likely to be a close race.

Mescaline (top left), ibogaine (top right), psilocybin mushrooms (bottom left), and DMT (bottom right). All four would be legalized under the initiative put forth by Massachusetts for Mental Health Options.

Question 4, being voted on November 5 and put forth by the nonprofit Massachusetts for Mental Health Options (MMHO), would legalize the possession and personal cultivation of up to one gram of DMT, 18 grams of non-peyote mescaline, 30 grams of Ibogaine, one gram of psilocybin, and one gram of psilocin. Possessing up to twice this amount would be punishable by a fine of up to $100.

The initiative would “expand mental health treatment options in Massachusetts by providing new pathways to access natural psychedelic medicine therapy,” including “creating access to natural psychedelic medicine therapy and removing criminal penalties for personal possession of these medicines.” The law would allow licensed service centers to supply psychedelics, overseen by a newly-created Natural Psychedelic Substances Commission, modeled after the state’s Cannabis Control Commission.
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Oct 15 2024

California Judge Upholds Statewide Ban on Hemp Products Containing THC

A California judge has temporarily upheld a comprehensive statewide ban on most consumer hemp products containing THC.

On Friday, Superior Court Judge Stephen Goorvitch denied a request from the hemp industry for a temporary restraining order (TRO) against the restrictions, which were put in place by Governor Newsom last month. These regulations prohibit the sale of any industrial hemp food, beverage, or dietary product for consumption if it contains THC or other “intoxicating cannabinoids”, pending resolution of a lawsuit challenging the ban.

The request for a TRO was filed in late September in Los Angeles Superior Court by the U.S. Hemp Roundtable, a trade group, along with six hemp companies. This action followed California’s implementation of a ban on intoxicating hemp products. The lawsuit aimed at overturning the ban is set for trial proceedings beginning on November 22, according to court records.
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Oct 15 2024

Study: CBD Shows Therapeutic Potential for Gut Health and Related Conditions

A recent literature review published in the journal Cells by explores the multifaceted therapeutic effects of cannabidiol (CBD) on the gastrointestinal (GI) system.

This non-psychotropic compound, found in Cannabis sativa, has demonstrated promising modulatory effects across various bodily systems, including the central nervous and immune systems.

The review, conducted by researchers from the University of Toledo, the University of Louisville School of Medicine, and Tulane University School of Medicine,  highlights CBD’s ability to interact with multiple receptors—both cannabinoid and non-cannabinoid—while also exhibiting antioxidant properties that function independently of these receptors. These interactions play a crucial role in influencing intestinal permeability, the microbiome, immune cells, and cytokines, making CBD a potential therapeutic agent for conditions like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
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Oct 15 2024

Report: US Cannabis Industry Needs Up to $130 Billion to Grow, Offering $2.4 Billion in Potential Interest for Banks

A new report released today by Whitney Economics (WE) highlights the significant financial needs of the U.S. cannabis industry, projecting that between $65.6 billion and $130.7 billion in sustainable growth capital will be necessary to support new cannabis businesses and refinance existing ones over the next decade.

This investment could generate an estimated $1.0 billion to $2.4 billion in interest revenue for financial institutions that engage in cannabis lending.

Published with support from CTrust—a business credit scoring and monitoring agency for the cannabis industry—and Green Check, a fintech connector for the emerging market, the report emphasizes the industry’s expanding financial landscape. It projects U.S. cannabis retail sales to grow from $28.8 billion in 2023 to $87.0 billion by 2035. To sustain this growth, the number of cannabis licenses is expected to increase from approximately 40,000 today to between 65,000 and 70,000, providing new opportunities for lending and investment.
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Oct 15 2024

Supreme Court Weighs RICO Lawsuit Over Hemp-Based CBD Product That Cost Trucker His Job

The U.S. Supreme Court held a hearing today to deliberate on a case involving a truck driver, Douglas Horn, who was fired after testing positive for THC following the use of a hemp-based CBD product.

Horn claims the product, marketed as containing “0% THC” by companies including Medical Marijuana Inc. and Dixie Holdings LLC, led to his wrongful termination. His lawsuit hinges on the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, a law typically reserved for combatting organized crime but also applicable to civil claims.

Horn, who had been a truck driver for 14 years, began using the hemp-based supplement to alleviate chronic pain from a car accident. The product, Dixie X, was advertised as THC-free and compliant with federal regulations. After testing positive during a random drug screening, Horn was dismissed from his job, despite his assertion that he had never used marijuana and relied on the product in good faith.
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Oct 15 2024

Vermont: Record-Breaking $12.8 Million in Legal Marijuana Sold in September

For the second month in a row, Vermont has broken its record for legal marijuana sales.

(Photo credit: Peter Kim/Fotolia)

In September, legal outlets sold $12.87 million worth of marijuana and marijuana products, according to the state’s Department of Taxes, generating $1.80 million in tax revenue.

This marks a slight increase from the previous record of $12.27 million in July. Before that, May’s sales set a record at $11.45 million.
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Oct 14 2024

Every State Voting On Marijuana Initiatives Next Month

The November 5, 2024 election is just weeks away, and it’s shaping up to be a pivotal moment for marijuana law reform across the U.S.

With the election fast approaching, several states are preparing to weigh in on initiatives that could drastically change their marijuana laws. Below is a breakdown of these states, with a look at the initiatives being considered.
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Oct 14 2024

Study: CBD Reduces Arsenic-Induced Kidney Damage

Researchers from Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences in Iran have discovered that cannabidiol (CBD) can significantly reduce kidney damage caused by arsenic exposure in mice.

Published in the peer-reviewed journal Research in Pharmaceutical Sciences, the study explored how CBD influences specific pathways involved in oxidative stress, inflammation, and cell death, particularly the NOX4 and NF-kB pathways.

The study involved 48 male mice divided into six groups. Some groups received only arsenic, while others were treated with varying doses of CBD prior to arsenic exposure. The researchers measured several markers of kidney health, oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis, as well as performed histological analyses on kidney tissue.
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Oct 14 2024

Study of Over 100,000 Finds Maternal Marijuana Use Not Associated With Increased Risk of ADHD or Behavior Disorders in Children

A large-scale study involving over 100,000 participants has found that maternal marijuana use during early pregnancy is not associated with an increased risk of offspring developing attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or disruptive behavior disorders (DBD).

The study, titled Prenatal Cannabis Use and Offspring Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Disruptive Behavior Disorders: A Retrospective Cohort Study, was published in the Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics and was conducted by researchers from Kaiser Permanente Northern California, the University of California, and The Permanente Medical Group.

The researchers analyzed data from 141,570 children born between 2011 and 2018 to 117,130 pregnant individuals in Northern California. All participants were screened for prenatal cannabis use during early pregnancy, defined as self-reported use or a positive toxicology test. The study aimed to assess any potential links between prenatal marijuana use and diagnoses of ADHD or DBD in the children by age 11.
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