Sep 12 2024

Research Shows U.S. Cannabis Prices Could Plummet Under National Legalization

Federal cannabis legalization could significantly reduce prices in high-cost U.S. markets, according to a new analysis published in the American Journal of Agricultural Economics.

The study, conducted by an economist from North Carolina State University, found that cannabis is typically cheaper in states where it is legal.

The study notes that while a super-majority of Americans favor cannabis legalization, many still rely on the illicit market to obtain their supply. Even in states with legal markets, national legalization could benefit consumers by increasing access to legal cannabis from other states and driving prices down.
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Sep 12 2024

Maryland Sees Record-Breaking $100 Million in Marijuana Sales for August

For the third time in just four months, Maryland has broken a record for monthly marijuana sales, and for the first time ever sales have passed $100 million.

According to the Maryland Cannabis Administration, there was exactly $100,624,451 worth of marijuana sold legally in August. A strong majority of these sales —$73 million— was purchased by recreational marijuana consumers, with around $27 million purchased by medical marijuana patients.

The $100.6 million is nearly $3 million more than the total sales for July’s ($97.9 million), which was at the time a new monthly record.
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Sep 12 2024

Woody Harrelson Urges California Governor to Sign Bill Legalizing Marijuana Cafés

Actor Woody Harrelson, the co-owner of the West Hollywood marijuana lounge The Woods, is calling on Governor Gavin Newsom to sign Assembly Bill 1775 into law.

“We just need a little tiny crumb, and that is the ability to sell non-cannabis items in the lounge,” said Harrelson in a video posted on the Instagram of Assemblymember Matt Haney (D), the sponsor of AB 1775. “I don’t see how that hurts anybody. Let’s please make this happen.”

Harrelson continues by saying “I mean, my god, it’s not easy. We’re trying to do the right thing. I’m not a rule person. I’m actually an anarchist. I don’t even like government. But here I am trying to do the right thing, and I hope that Newsom will also do the right thing.”
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Sep 12 2024

North Carolina: Over 10,000 Visit Marijuana Superstore on Tribal Land, No Arrests Reported

Five days into its grand opening, the Great Smoky Cannabis Company, located on the tribal land of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians in North Carolina, has attracted over 10,000 visitors without a single reported arrest involving patrons or employees.

The store, which opened its doors to the general public on September 7, offers marijuana to anyone 21 and older, regardless of tribal membership, marking a significant moment in the state’s cannabis landscape.

Concerns had initially arisen that police might target customers leaving tribal land with marijuana, as it remains illegal in North Carolina. However, there have been no arrests linked to those purchasing marijuana at the store. Despite initial fears of potential legal complications, law enforcement has not intervened in the activities of patrons or employees.
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Sep 12 2024

Missouri Veterans Group Condemns State Regulators for September 11 Raid Over Cannabis Beverages

A veterans group in Missouri is condemning state regulators over a September 11 raid of their post, in which officials were searching for unapproved cannabis beverages. The raid occurred “immediately after lowering our flag to half-staff” to honor those lost on 9/11 and in the wars that followed.

VFW Post  2661.

In a social media post, VFW Post  2661 said “The MO Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) raided our VFW Post on the morning of 9/11 in search of “adulterated” beverages that violate Gov. Parson’s hemp-adulturated food product “embargo” which, as he says is intended to “protect children”. To be clear, VFW Post 2661 does NOT sell adulterated products; all beverages are in compliance with Revised MO Statute 196.070, Par 12.2 which states “A food shall not be considered adulterated solely for containing industrial hemp, or an industrial hemp commodity or product”. Also, hemp is Federally legal in all 50 states under the 2018 Farm Bill. Lastly, ALL sales from our canteen are sold to persons 21 and older.”

The group says that “While we normally appreciate visitors to our beautiful Post home, we are not sure that raiding a Veterans of Foreign Wars Post on September 11th immediately after lowering our flag to half-staff in remembrance of the thousands of lives taken from us 23 years ago today and for the 50,000 + Service Members and DoD Civilians that have lost their lives fighting in the wars that stemmed from that horrible day was the best or most respectful time to do it. We also are curious how raiding a VFW canteen for these products achieves the Governor’s “goal” of protecting children.”
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Sep 12 2024

Study: Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy Shows Promise in Treating Anxiety and Depression in Patients With Life-Threatening Diseases

A new study published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews has revealed that psychedelic-assisted therapy may help reduce anxiety, depression, and existential distress in individuals facing life-threatening diseases.

MDMA (left), psilocybin (middle), and LSD (right).

Researchers from Brigham and Women’s Hospital (Boston), Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (Boston), University of Basel (Switzerland), Geneva University Hospitals (Switzerland), and the University of Freiburg (Germany) collaborated on the analysis, which focused on the potential therapeutic effects of substances like psilocybin, LSD, and MDMA.

The study, which was also published by the U.S. National Library of Medicine, reviewed six randomized controlled trials, involving 149 participants, with life-threatening illnesses such as cancer. The trials compared the effects of psychedelic-assisted therapy to placebo or active comparators, such as antidepressants. The therapy involved the use of classical psychedelics (psilocybin and LSD) and MDMA, paired with preparatory and integrative therapeutic sessions.
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Sep 11 2024

Arkansas: New Petition Filed to Add Female Orgasmic Disorder to State’s Medical Marijuana Program

A petition has been filed in Arkansas to allow those with female orgasmic disorder (FOD) to become legal medical marijuana patients.

The petition was filed today by Sarah Hanson, a resident of Centerton. Sarah, a sexual health educator focused on pleasure-based education for women, submitted the petition to the Arkansas Department of Health, as is required by law.

There is some precedent for this move. Earlier this year medical boards in both Connecticut and Illinois overwhelmingly approved adding female orgasmic disorder to their state’s medical marijuana program.
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Sep 11 2024

Indiana Governor Candidate Unveils Plan to Legalize Marijuana

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jennifer McCormick has revealed a comprehensive plan to legalize marijuana in Indiana.

Jennifer McCormick (photo credit: Whitney Downard / Indiana Capital Chronicle).

Following Ohio’s recent decision to legalize marijuana, Indiana is now bordered by three states where cannabis possession is legal.

McCormick’s proposal focuses on establishing medical marijuana access for Hoosiers with a clear path toward full adult-use legalization.
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Sep 11 2024

New York Approves Another 123 Marijuana Business Licenses, Sees Record-Breaking $100 Million in August Sales

New York state regulators approved an additional 123 cannabis business permits on Tuesday, marking another step forward for the state’s legal marijuana industry as sales continue to grow rapidly after years of stagnation.

The approval of the new licenses comes alongside a record-breaking $100 million in marijuana sales for August, which included the last few days of July, according to officials from the state’s Office of Cannabis Management (OCM).

With the market gaining momentum after a sluggish start, state officials now anticipate that New York’s regulated marijuana sales will exceed $450 million by the end of 2024, reports MJBizDaily. John Kagia, OCM’s director of policy, emphasized the positive trajectory, stating, “We are cooking with gas,” at a state Cannabis Control Board meeting.
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Sep 11 2024

Ohio Marijuana Dispensary Fined $150,000 for Ice Cream Giveaway on First Day of Recreational Sales

A marijuana dispensary in Columbus has been fined $150,000 after offering “free ice cream” to customers on the first day of adult-use sales, a marketing tactic that violated state regulations.

(Photo credit: Susan Post).

Greenleaf Apothecaries, also known as The Botanist, is one of several Ohio dispensaries fined since adult-use sales began in August. The dispensary advertised the giveaway on social media on August 6 and brought an ice cream truck to its property.

Altogether, fines across several companies exceeded $200,000, with The Botanist’s Columbus location by far receiving the largest share.
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