In Connecticut, there was over $25 million worth of marijuana sold legally, the first time the market has crossed the $25 million mark since December 2023.

The $25,664,059 in legal marijuana is a little over $1 million more than the $24,653,219 sold in July, and is an uptick from the $24.8 million sold in August 2023.

Roughly two-thirds of these sales, $17,989,385, were purchased for recreational use, with $7,674,674 purchased by licensed medical marijuana patients.
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There’s now 127 licensed medical marijuana dispensaries that have received dual-use licenses to sell recreational marijuana to everyone 21 and older.

When recreational marijuana sales began on August 6, there was nearly 100 dispensaries selling recreational marijuana. That number has since increased to 127. According to the Ohio Division of Cannabis Control (DCC), there’s also been 14 provisional licenses issued. A provisional license is a conditional approval given to a dispensary, allowing them to operate while they work towards meeting all the regulatory requirements needed for a full license.

Last week the DCC approved 121 more licenses for recreational marijuana sales, which will bring the number of outlets to nearly 250.
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In California, more than $340 million worth of legal marijuana and related products (including edibles, concentrates, and more) were sold in August.

(Photo credit: Getty Images).

According to data released by the research firm Headset, licensed marijuana stores in California recorded $343.1 million in sales in August.

So far this year, marijuana sales in California have reached approximately $2.8 billion. Last week the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration reported that the state garnered $263.1 million in marijuana tax revenue in the second quarter of this year.
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The Cannabis Research Institute in Chicago is now open, with the goal of exploring how cannabis may help or harm those who use it.

The institute, first announced around 18 months ago, is focusing on marijuana’s medical applications, including the potential use of cannabis for cancer treatment. Additionally, the institute will assist in developing a state reference lab to verify the accuracy of commercial cannabis testing and investigate a virus threatening marijuana crops, reports the Chicago Tribune.

Reggie Gaudino, director of the institute, is leading the charge with a $7 million grant from the Illinois Department of Human Services. Gaudino, who holds a Ph.D. in molecular genetics and biochemistry, previously worked with companies like Charlotte’s Web, known for its CBD products. He hopes to bring similar success to his current research, which aims to determine if certain cannabis strains can treat various medical conditions.
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Today, Massachusetts Treasurer Deborah Goldberg fired Cannabis Control Commission (CCC) Chair Shannon O’Brien, who was responsible for overseeing the state’s legal marijuana market.

Goldberg said she fired O’Brien after carefully considering more than 20 hours of meetings held earlier this year as well as various documents, case law and policies. Goldberg said she fired O’Brien because she “committed gross misconduct and demonstrated she is unable to discharge the powers and duties of a CCC commissioner.”

Late last month we reported that the website for the CCC went down for several days, and sales data has not been updated since June.
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In Montana, there was most legal marijuana sales in August than any previous month.

Data released by the Montana Department of Revenue shows that there was $25,851,878 worth of recreational marijuana sold in August via licensed retail outlets. This is in addition to the $3,865,003 worth of medical marijuana purchased by patients, combining for a total of $29,716,881.

The sales total for August breaks the monthly record of $28,717,104 set just last month. The previous previous record was $28,697,312 in August 2023.
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Planet 13 Holdings Inc., a multi-state cannabis company, has officially opened its 27th Florida dispensary, which is located in Ocala.

The location, which is now open, marks the company’s 27th dispensary in the state and 31st nationwide. Located at 8750 SW 200th St., Suite 101, Planet 13 Ocala is open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week.

The dispensary is situated on State Road 200, a busy thoroughfare with over 35,000 cars passing daily, and is near the On Top of the World retirement community.
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This November, Arkansas voters will consider an initiative that would significantly expand the state’s medical marijuana program, in addition to establishing a federal trigger for recreational marijuana legalization.

The Arkansas Medical Cannabis Amendment of 2024, put forth by Arkansans for Patient Access (APA), will appear on the November 5 ballot. The initiative would expand the state’s medical marijuana law to allow patients to grow up to seven mature marijuana plants, and seven immature marijuana pants, at a private residence. Importantly, the proposed law would also remove the retail prohibition on smokeable marijuana products like pre-rolls.

In addition, the initiative would:
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Rhode Island is moving forward with plans to allocate 24 new cannabis retail licenses through a hybrid process that combines a merit-based screening and a lottery system.

(Photo credit: Vicente LLP).

The state’s Cannabis Control Commission unanimously approved the approach on Friday, which seeks to balance fairness with efficiency as Rhode Island’s recreational cannabis market continues to develop.

Under the proposed system, applicants will first undergo a screening to evaluate their qualifications, including their readiness for licensure and ability to operate a retail outlet. Those who pass this initial phase will then enter a lottery, but only in regions where demand for licenses exceeds supply. Rhode Island’s cannabis laws divide the state into six geographic zones, with a maximum of four stores permitted in each. Two of the four licenses in each zone will be reserved for social equity applicants and worker cooperatives.
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The Stop Pot Act, introduced by Representative Chuck Edwards (R-NC) last September, is the most prominent piece of anti-marijuana legislation currently in the U.S. Congress, despite having only five sponsors from three states.

The Stop Pot Act seeks to penalize states and tribes that have legalized recreational marijuana by withholding federal highway funds. Despite having more support than any other marijuana-related bill in US Congress, the measure has only managed to attract five co-sponsors, all from Republican representatives—David Rouzer (R-NC), Gregory Murphy (R-NC), Pete Sessions (R-TX), and John W. Rose (R-TN).

The lack of support for the Stop Pot Act speaks volumes about the waning opposition to marijuana reform in U.S. politics. While a decade ago such legislation might have garnered broader backing, the political landscape has shifted dramatically. This bill’s stagnation in the House Subcommittee on Highways and Transit, where it has been stuck since its introduction, further underscores this point. Despite a push from Edwards to gain more co-sponsors earlier in the summer, the measure has seen no new endorsements since October, and it faces expiration if not passed by the end of the year.
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