Nov 24 2024

Nebraska Judge Dismisses All 24 Charges Against Notary in Medical Marijuana Petition Case

In a significant legal development, Hall County Judge Alfred E. Corey III has dismissed 24 counts of official misconduct against Jacy Todd, a notary public from York, Nebraska.

The charges stemmed from allegations that Todd improperly notarized petition pages for initiatives aimed at legalizing medical marijuana in the state. The two initiatives were overwhelmingly approved in this month’s election.

The court’s decision centered on the classification of notaries public under Nebraska law. Judge Corey determined that notaries are not considered public servants performing governmental functions. He stated, “While notary publics are appointed by the Secretary of State, they are not officers or employees of the State of Nebraska, and their duties… are not governmental functions.”
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Nov 23 2024

Oregon: Over 16,000 Legal Psilocybin Doses Administered Since June 2023, Just Five Hospital Visits Reported

Oregon continues to lead the nation in legal psilocybin use, with over 16,000 doses administered at licensed facilities since June 2023, according to the Oregon Health Authority (OHA).

The state’s psilocybin services program, the first of its kind in the U.S., provides supervised administration of the psychedelic substance for therapeutic and personal development purposes. Currently only Colorado offers a similar program.

The OHA reports that out of these 16,000 sessions, there have been only five instances where facilitators contacted 911 or sought hospital care for clients. These cases underscore the generally safe nature of the program when overseen by trained professionals in controlled environments.
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Nov 23 2024

Ohio’s New Speaker of the House Promises to Undo Cannabis Legalization

Ohio House Republicans have chosen Matt Huffman, the current Senate president, as their next House speaker.

Huffman, unopposed in the caucus vote, is known for his hardline conservative agenda, including his intent to reverse Ohio’s recently implemented recreational marijuana legalization law.

Huffman’s leadership approach signals a significant shift for Ohio. His priorities include restricting marijuana policies, including making recreational marijuana illegal. Huffman says he believes voters were misinformed when they approved legalization. He has previously proposed revisiting the policy to drastically limit THC levels in products.
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Nov 22 2024

Medical Marijuana Now Covered as Employee Benefit in Three New Jersey Municipalities

In a groundbreaking move for public workers, three New Jersey municipalities are introducing medical marijuana coverage as a healthcare benefit.

Employees in the city of Trenton, as well as the boards of education in Orange and Teaneck, will gain access to discounts at participating dispensaries and cannabis-related telehealth services. The program is facilitated by Bennabis Health, a company specializing in cannabis-related employee benefits.

Workers participating in the program will reportedly receive at least 15% off the typical costs associated with medical marijuana. Bennabis Health has also expanded its reach beyond New Jersey, partnering with dispensaries in Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, New Mexico, Washington, D.C., and, most recently, Maine. In Maine, the company announced new agreements with Sweet Dirt Dispensaries and Brilliant Buds, which will offer Bennabis Health Premium members a 15% discount.
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Nov 22 2024

Minnesota’s Cannabis License Lottery to Grant 200 Preapprovals Next Week, Out of Over 600 Applicants

Hundreds of applicants seeking cannabis business licenses in Minnesota will learn their fate on Tuesday as the state’s Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) conducts a lottery to award preapprovals.

(Photo credit: Vicente LLP).

This initiative, part of a social equity program, is designed to support individuals disproportionately impacted by past marijuana prohibition, veterans, and residents of high-poverty areas.

In 2023, Minnesota lawmakers legalized marijuana for adults 21 and older, creating a regulated system for retail outlets supplied by licensed growers and processors. Possession and cultivation became legal in August 2023, with over 3,000 business licenses already preapproved. Additionally, the University of Minnesota School of Public Health launched the state’s first Cannabis Research Center in August, funded by a $2.5 million state appropriation.
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Nov 22 2024

Marijuana and THC Improve Working Memory in Aging, Finds Animal Study

With marijuana use surging among older adults, researchers are uncovering how it may influence age-related cognitive decline.

A new study, published by the National Library of Medicine and as a preprint in bioRxiv, reveals that cannabis and Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9THC) may enhance working memory in aged individuals without worsening other cognitive impairments.

The study concluded that “cannabis and Δ9THC can attenuate working memory impairments that emerge in aging” while not exacerbating hippocampus-related cognitive decline.
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Nov 22 2024

Here’s the Most Popular Marijuana Strains in Ohio Right Now

As Ohio’s legal cannabis market continues to evolve, certain strains have emerged as favorites among consumers.

Ohio began licensed recreational marijuana sales on August 7. Since then, the emerging market has generated hundreds of millions of dollars in sales. Drawing from recent data and trends, here are the top 10 most popular marijuana strains in Ohio:
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Nov 21 2024

Sacramento, California Approves Pilot Program for Social Cannabis Consumption

The Sacramento City Council has approved an ordinance establishing a pilot program to permit social cannabis consumption at designated locations.

The program will allow permitted dispensaries to apply for licenses enabling on-site use of cannabis products, marking a significant step for the city’s cannabis industry.

Dispensaries can apply for two types of permits under the new program. Type 1 permits allow for the consumption of cannabis-infused food and beverages, while Type 2 permits also permit smoking cannabis products such as flower, pre-rolls, and concentrates, provided businesses meet ventilation requirements. Applicants must submit plans addressing operations, impaired driving prevention, and compliance with local and state safety regulations. Patrons must be 21 or older to enter consumption lounges.
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Nov 21 2024

Study: Medical Marijuana Associated with Sustained Pain Relief and Improved Sleep in Chronic Pain Patients

A recent study featured in the journal Pain Practice reveals that individuals living with chronic pain experience significant and sustained relief in pain severity and related symptoms through the use of medical marijuana.

Drawing on data from the UK Medical Cannabis Registry, the research tracked patient-reported outcomes over a 12-month period, shedding light on the therapeutic potential of cannabis-based medicinal products (CBMPs) for managing both chronic pain and sleep-related challenges.

British researchers evaluated 1,139 chronic pain patients who were prescribed either cannabis flower or oil extracts. Patients were grouped based on their baseline sleep quality, categorized as either sleep-impaired or unimpaired. Researchers assessed changes in several metrics, including sleep quality, anxiety, pain severity, and overall health-related quality of life, at intervals of one, three, six, and 12 months.
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Nov 21 2024

Kentucky to Launch Medical Marijuana Program December 1: Over 150 Doctors Ready

Starting December 1, qualified patients in Kentucky will be able to obtain doctor recommendations to access medical marijuana, according to Governor Andy Beshear.

This marks a major milestone for the state, following the governor’s signing of medical marijuana legislation last year.

State regulators have been building the medical marijuana program in preparation for its rollout. Over 150 doctors are already certified to issue recommendations, with the number steadily increasing. To streamline the process, the state has launched the “Kentucky Medical Cannabis Practitioner Directory,” an online portal that helps patients locate certified practitioners by city, county, or specialty.
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