Sep 18 2024

Arizona Generates $20 Million in August Marijuana Taxes, All-Time Total Nears $1 Billion

Arizona’s total tax revenue from legal marijuana sales is nearing $1 billion, with over $20 million generated in August.

According to data from the Arizona Department of Revenue, the state generated $20,778,911 in tax revenue from the licensed sale of nearly $90 million worth of marijuana and marijuana products. Of this, $12,799,070 came from the 16% recreational marijuana excise tax, $6,292,234 from the 5.6% transaction privilege tax on recreational marijuana, and $1,490,447 from the same 5.6% tax applied to medical marijuana sales, which are exempt from the 16% excise tax.

Arizona’s year-to-date total for marijuana taxes is now approximately $190 million. The all-time total is $948,116,657.
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Sep 18 2024

Here’s the Most Popular Marijuana Strains in the United States as of September 2024

As marijuana continues to gain traction across the United States, with it legal for recreational use in 24 states and legal for medical use in 38 states, certain strains have emerged as perennial favorites among consumers.

With more states legalizing cannabis and an ever-expanding market, some strains consistently stand out from the rest.

Drawing from data provided by state regulatory agencies, as well as insights from platforms like Leafly and WeedMaps, here are the most popular strains in the United States.
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Sep 18 2024

South Carolina Attorney General Confirms Legality of Hemp-Derived THC Beverages

South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson’s office has confirmed that non-alcoholic beverages infused with hemp-derived delta-9 THC are legal under the 2018 Farm Bill.

Despite this, Wilson says the state cannot issue a blanket determination on the legality of all THC-infused beverages, meaning each drink must be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

State Solicitor General Robert Cook, in a letter to South Carolina House Speaker D. Murrell Smith Jr., noted that after reviewing federal and state laws, as well as relevant case law, he concluded that beverages meeting the standards of the 2018 Farm Bill are legal. This was first reported by Cannabis Business Times.
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Sep 18 2024

Flora Growth Partners with Blossom Genetics to Supply Medical Cannabis in Germany

Flora Growth Corp. announced on Wednesday a new agreement with Blossom Genetics, a London-based company, to supply medical cannabis to the German market.

As part of the deal, two cannabis flower strains—Chemmy Jones and Northern Lights—will be introduced to Germany. The country implemented a significant recreational cannabis law on April 1, which decriminalized cannabis, allowed home cultivation, and established nonprofit “cultivation social clubs” for adult use.

Clifford Starke, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, commented, “This supply agreement with Blossom Genetics is a pivotal step in our efforts to expand Flora’s global presence and provide top-tier cannabis products to Germany. The demand for medical cannabis has surged since legalization, and we are confident that the strains we will bring to the market, will resonate with patients and healthcare providers alike.”
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Sep 18 2024

Study: Medical Marijuana Legalization Linked to Lower Health Insurance Premiums

A new study published in the journal Applied Health Economics and Health Policy reveals that companies in states with medical cannabis laws are seeing significant savings in employer-sponsored health insurance premiums.

The research, conducted by Leafwell, highlights the economic benefits of medical cannabis for businesses, potentially offering a new incentive for more states to adopt such laws.

According to the study, companies in states with medical cannabis laws pay 3.4% less in premiums for individual coverage plans compared to states without such laws. This translates to an average savings of $238 per employee annually. For employee-plus-one coverage plans, businesses see a 2.9% reduction in premium costs, saving approximately $348 per employee each year.
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Sep 18 2024

Athletes for Care Endorses Amendment 3 to Legalize Marijuana in Florida

Athletes for Care, a nonprofit dedicated to the health and well-being of athletes, has endorsed Florida’s recreational marijuana ballot initiative.

Athletes for Care logo.

“Cannabis has a long history in sports to help center athletes and aid them in recovery following both short- and long-term injuries,” said Clint Johnson, Executive Director of Athletes for Care, in a press release. “Our goal is to ensure that individuals of all backgrounds can enjoy access to safe, tested outlets to deal with the effects sports have on their bodies.”

Johnson says “Marijuana is an important tool to do so, and as it becomes more common across the country, it’s only right that Florida passes Amendment 3 and joins the growing list of states who enjoy the same freedom.”
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Sep 18 2024

Study: Year-Long Medical Marijuana Use Shows No Negative Impact on Brain Function

According to a study published recently in JAMA Network Open, there was no significant impact on brain activation in individuals using medical marijuana over the course of a year.

Titled Year-Long Cannabis Use for Medical Symptoms and Brain Activation During Cognitive Processes and conducted by researchers from Universitas Mercatorum, University of Foggia, University of Bari, and The Allergist in Italy, along with researchers from Asnières-sur-Seine in France, the study explores the cognitive effects of long-term medical cannabis use.

The objective of the study was to assess whether one year of cannabis use for conditions like anxiety, depression, pain, or insomnia would influence brain activity during tasks related to working memory, reward, and inhibitory control—cognitive processes known to be affected by cannabis. The study focused on individuals who obtained medical cannabis cards and were monitored for brain activation before and after a year of use.
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Sep 18 2024

Study Finds “Psilocybin May Offer a Potential Avenue for Combating Tobacco Use Disorder”

A new study published in the peer reviewed journal Discover Mental Health highlights the potential of psychedelics, particularly psilocybin, as a treatment option for tobacco use disorder.

Conducted by a team of researchers from Hanze University of Applied Sciences, the University Medical Center Groningen, the University of Groningen, and NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences, all in the Netherlands, the systematic review explores emerging research in this area.

“Despite considerable efforts, tobacco use disorder persists as a significant public health issue”, notes the study’s abstract. “The effectiveness of current smoking cessation therapies is limited, leading to a growing interest in alternative treatment approaches such as psychedelics.”
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Sep 18 2024

Vermont Recorded Over $12 Million in Legal Marijuana Sales in July, a New Monthly Record

For the first time in state history, legal marijuana sales in Vermont surpassed $12 million in a single month.

According to the Vermont Department of Taxes, licensed dispensaries and retail outlets sold $12.27 million worth of marijuana and marijuana products in July, up from $11.14 million in June.

July’s sales generated $1.72 million in tax revenue.
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Sep 18 2024

U.S. Senate Committee Passes DOOBIE Act to Prevent Denial of Jobs and Security Clearances Over Marijuana Use

Today, the U.S. Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee gave approval to the DOOBIE Act, which would “limit the consideration of marijuana use when making an employment suitability or security clearance determination”.

The DOOBIE Act was filed in July by U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), Chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. The Dismantling Outdated Obstacles and Barriers to Individual Employment (DOOBIE) Act (Senate Bill 4711), which would “ensure applicants for federal positions or security clearances are not being denied solely on the basis of past recreational and medical marijuana use”, was passed by a vote of 9 to 5.

Under current law, qualified candidates may be denied federal employment or security clearances due to past use of marijuana or cannabis products, despite legalization of these products at the state level throughout the nation. While federal agencies, including the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), have issued guidance stating that past marijuana use alone should not disqualify candidates, many potential applicants remain hesitant to pursue federal positions due to a fear of automatic disqualification.
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