Aug 23 2023

New Jersey: $185 Million in Legal Marijuana Sold During Q2, 2023

In the second quarter of this year licensed New Jersey marijuana stores sold $185.19 million in product.

According to data compiled and released by the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission, there was $160.2 million in recreational marijuana sold between April and June of this year. During that same period there was $24.98 million in medical marijuana sold, bringing the total amount of legal marijuana sold to $185.19 million.

This marks a slight increase from the $180.3 million sold during the first quarter of this year. Although recreational marijuana sales were noticeably higher this quarter ($160 million compared to $145 million), medical marijuana sales were down this quarter (about $25 million compared to $34 million).
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Aug 23 2023

Study: THC/CBD Can Help Combat Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting

A combination of the cannabis compounds THC and CBD is “an appropriate adjuvant agent to reduce chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in patients with gynecologic cancer who received high-emetogenic chemotherapy”, according to a newly published study.

Conducted by researchers at the Royal Thai Air Force and Thammasat University Hospital, the objective of the study was to “evaluate the effects of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC):cannabinoid (CBD) (1:1) oil in reducing chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) in gynecologic cancer patients who received moderate-to-high emetogenic chemotherapy.”

This was a randomized, double-blinded, crossover and placebo-controlled trial. Participants had gynecologic cancer and received moderate-to-high emetogenic chemotherapy. Subjects were randomized and divided into two groups (A and B) based on the block of four randomization method.
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Aug 23 2023

Canada Marijuana Sales Jump to $426 Million in June, $2.4 Billion Year-to-Date

Canada marijuana sales in June saw a 12% increase from the year prior.

In June licensed marijuana stores in Canada sold CA$426.6 million ($316.7 million) worth of marijuana and marijuana products. This includes dried flower prerolls and marijuana concentrates as well as marijuana-infused products such as edibles, tinctures and topicals.

The CA$426 million sold in June is a roughly CA$11 million increase from May, and a 12% increase over June, 2022. This also marks the fourth straight month that Canada’s marijuana sales exceeded CA$400 million.
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Aug 23 2023

Marijuana Farmers Market Now Open In Conjunction With New York State Fair

Roughly a month after New York officials voted to allow marijuana farmers market, such a market is now operating in conjunction with the New York State Fair which runs from today, August 23, to September 4.

Last month the state Cannabis Control Board (CCB) passed a handful of new rules, including a change that explicitly allows for marijuana farmers markets.  Specifically the Board allowed marijuana farmers markets as “Cannabis Grower’s Showcases” where growers and retailers can “bring their product to market and allow licensees to sell such products simultaneously.” To be considered a showcase there must be at least three growers and one licensed retail outlet.

Operating alongside the State Fair, Great New York State Cannabis Showcase is now open to anyone 21 and older. The market includes around a dozen vendors selling marijuana and marijuana products, all grown locally.
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Aug 22 2023

Nevada Approves Three More Marijuana Consumption Lounges

A little over two months after Nevada regulators approved the first marijuana consumption lounge, the state has given approval to three more.

Today the Cannabis Compliance Board voted unanimously to approve three applications for marijuana consumption lounges. The companies receiving the licenses are Deep Roots Harvest, KV Group and Global Harmony.

Consumption lounges are spaces where marijuana can be legally consumed. They are authorized to hold events with live entertainment and they can sell food and drinks, as well as book private events, brand launches, and other unique events.
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Aug 21 2023

Study Finds Marijuana Improves Symptoms of Young People At High Risk of Psychosis, Reduces Prescription Drug Use

According to a new study published in the journal Psychiatry Research, those with a clinical high risk for psychosis “who continuously used cannabis had higher neurocognition and social functioning over time, and decreased medication usage”.

The study was published in the September, 2023 issue of the journal Psychiatry Research, and it was conducted by researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine, the University of Michigan, Zucker Hillside Hospital and University of California at Davis.

“Recreational cannabis use has recently gained considerable interest as an environmental risk factor that triggers the onset of psychosis”, states the study’s abstract. “To date, however, the evidence that cannabis is associated with negative outcomes in individuals at clinical high risk (CHR) for psychosis is inconsistent.”
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Aug 21 2023

GOP Presidential Candidate Says He Supports Federal Marijuana Legalization, Calls Current Situation “A Joke”

Vivek Ramaswamy, an entrepreneur and 2024 Republican presidential candidate, says he supports legalizing marijuana across the United States.

Vivek Ramaswamy speaking with Bill Maher on the podcast Club Random.

According to FiveThirtyEight, Ramaswamy is the only Republican candidate other than former President Donald Trump and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to poll above 5%. Currently he sits at 9.3% and firmly in third place, ahead of political mainstays like former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and former Vice President Mike Pence.

During a podcast with comedian Bill Maher that aired yesterday, Ramaswamy affirmed his support for making marijuana a legal substance across the United States.
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Aug 21 2023

Minnesota Tribe Announces Plan for Mobile Marijuana Store

Despite state-licensed marijuana retail outlets not opening until 2025, two tribes in Minnesota began selling marijuana when it became legal on August 1. Now one of those tribes has announced a new plan to roll out a mobile marijuana store.

(Photo credit: Aaron Lavinsky, Star Stribune).

The Red Lake Nation has announced that they are working on a mobile dispensary, which they say will closely resemble a food truck, allowing them to travel and sell cannabis throughout tribal land rather than at one set location. Red Lake Nation covers over 840,000 acres of land.

Tribal Secretary Samuel Strong says that NativeCare, the tribe’s marijuana store, has been seeing over 300 customers a day which has led to long wait times and the store deciding to open on Saturdays. He says he’s “very excited to see how the community will respond” to the mobile store.
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Aug 21 2023

Study: CBD/CBG Promote Bone Healing in Fracture Patients, Effective in Treating Post-Fracture Pain

A new study “suggest CBD and CBG as therapeutic agents that can replace NSAIDs (Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) in managing post-fracture pain”, and “at the same time, promote bone healing.”

A fractured bone.

Published in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research, the study was conducted by researchers at the The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine and Pennsylvania State University. The study was published online ahead of print by the National Library of Medicine.

“Bone fractures are among the most prevalent musculoskeletal injuries, and pain management is an essential part of fracture treatment”, notes the study. “Fractures heal through an early inflammatory phase, followed by repair and remodelling. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are not recommended for fracture pain control as they potently inhibit the inflammatory phase and, thus, impair the healing.”
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Aug 18 2023

NY Bill Would Require Minors and Their Parents to Take Diversion Program When Caught With Marijuana

Legislation filed today in the New York Assembly would require minors caught using and/or possessing marijuana, as well as their parents, to attend a cannabis diversion program.

Under current New York law, recreational marijuana is legal for everyone 21 and older. Although it remains unlawful for those under 21 to possess and use the plant, the current penalty is a simple $50 civil infraction. Legislation filed today by Assemblymember Keith Brown would change that.

Assembly Bill 7951, which has been referred to the Assembly Codes Committee, states:
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