Jan 23 2024

US Department of Justice Files Motion to Dismiss Pro-Marijuana Lawsuit, Makes Note of Rescheduling Effort

The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) has officially filed a motion to dismiss a lawsuit challenging the government’s prohibition on marijuana.

Yesterday we reported that the DOJ filed documents with the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts declaring that it will be seeking to dismiss the lawsuit prior to the court-appointed deadline of January 23. Today, the day of the deadline, the DOJ officially filed the motion to dismiss. The motion was filed by Brian M. Boynton, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Brigham J. Bowen, Assistant Director, Federal Programs Branch, and Jeremy S.B. Newman, a DOJ Trial Attorney, on behalf of Attorney General Merrick Garland.

“Defendant Merrick Garland, in his official capacity as Attorney General of the United States, hereby files this Motion to Dismiss Complaint”, states the filing. :As set forth in the accompanying Memorandum, the Complaint, ECF No. 1, filed by Plaintiffs Canna Provisions, Inc., Gyasi Sellers, Wiseacre Farm, Inc., and Verano Holdings Corp. (collectively, “Plaintiffs”), should be dismissed because Plaintiffs lack standing and because Plaintiffs fail to state a claim upon which relief can be granted. Accordingly, the Court should grant this Motion and dismiss the Complaint.”
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Jan 23 2024

Cannabidiol (CBD) Demonstrates Antimicrobial Activity Against Mycobacterium Tuberculosis, Finds Study

The marijuana compound cannabidiol (CBD) showed strong antimicrobial effects in a newly published study.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

The study will be published in the upcoming issue of the journal Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research, with the abstract published online ahead of print by the US National Library of Medicine. The study is titled Antimicrobial Effect of Cannabidiol on Intracellular Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and it was conducted by researchers at the Universidad de Buenos Aires, Universidad Nacional de Hurlingham and CONICET, all in Argentina.

“Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the etiologic agent of tuberculosis (TB), has killed nearly one billion people during the last two centuries”, notes the study. “Nowadays, TB remains a major global health problem ranked among the top 10 causes of death worldwide.”
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Jan 23 2024

Bipartisan US House Bill to Decriminalize Marijuana and Protect States’ Rights Gets New Committee Assignment

The States Reform Act has received a new committee assignment, roughly three months after being filed.

The States Reform Act (House Bill 6028) was filed by Representative Nancy Mace (R-SC) in October, cosponsored by Representatives Tom McClintock (R-CA), Matt Gaetz (R-FL), David Trone (D-MD) and Dean Phillips (D-MN). The latter is currently running against President Biden in the Democratic primary.

The measure, according to its official legislative brief, “Federally decriminalizes cannabis and fully defers to state powers over prohibition and commercial regulation.” It “performs confirming amendments to relevant statutes to ensure that cannabis products are treated like alcohol by amended statutes in line with Title II of the Act.”
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Jan 23 2024

Report: Cannabis Testing Market Worth $1.7 Billion, to Over Double by 2030

The global market for cannabis testing services is expected to grow at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 14.23% between 2023 and 2030, according to a new report.

(Photo credit: MoCann Testing).

The report, conducted by Persistence Market Research, found the market to be worth $1.7 billion as of the end of 2023. The report anticipates the market will grow to be worth $4.4 billion by 2030.

“Ensuring compliance, quality, and safety of cannabis products for medical and recreational use is paramount, and cannabis testing services market play a crucial role in this regard”, states the report. “These services encompass various analytical testing methods, including heavy metal, microbiological, pesticide, residual solvent, potency, and contamination testing.”
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Jan 23 2024

National Association of State Departments of Agriculture Calls on Congress to Triple THC Limit for Hemp

The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) is urging members of Congress to significantly increase the amount of THC allowed in legal hemp.

In 2018 federal lawmakers legalized the cultivation of hemp throughout the United States via a provision in a federal farm bill. The provision states that hemp cannot contain more than 0.3% THC. If it does, it’s considered marijuana and is illegal to grow.

Now, NASDA, founded in 1915, is calling on Congress to triple the THC limit to an even 1%.
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Jan 22 2024

Study Finds CBD May Be Useful in Mitigating Stress in Canines, Particularly During Car Travel

According to a new study the use of cannabidiol (CBD) may be effective in mitigating stress in dogs who have to routinely travel via motor vehicle.

The study, titled Daily dosing of cannabidiol (CBD) demonstrates a positive effect on measures of stress in dogs during repeated exposure to car travel, was published in the Journal of Animal Science. It was conducted by researchers at the Waltham Petcare Science Institute.

“Dogs are routinely exposed to events that may elicit stress and result in negative emotional states which can impact pet dog welfare”, states the study’s abstract. “One event many dogs living with people are routinely exposed to is car travel, with many dogs displaying behaviors, along with corresponding physiological responses, that are indicative of stress and anxiety.”
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Jan 22 2024

US Justice Department Seeks to Dismiss Lawsuit Calling Marijuana Prohibition Unconstitutional

According to a motion filed by the United States Department of Justice, they are seeking to have a lawsuit dismissed that would protect businesses following state marijuana laws.

In a motion filed with the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts in the case CANNA PROVISIONS, Gyasi Sellers, Wiseacre Farm, Verano Holdings, v. Merrick Garland (in his official Capacity as Attorney General of the United States), the Justice Department says it will be seeking a motion to dismiss the lawsuit prior to the court-appointed deadline of January 23.

The lawsuit in question claims that continuing marijuana prohibition, in particular enforcing federal marijuana policy on states that have legalized the plant, is unconstitutional and harms public safety.
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Jan 22 2024

Florida Governor Says Marijuana Legalization Initiative Will be on This November’s Ballot

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis in recent remarks said that a marijuana legalization initiative will be on this November’s ballot, giving indication that he believes an effort by the state’s attorney general to block the vote will be rejected by the Florida Supreme Court.

Last year the Florida Division of Elections confirmed that the Smart & Safe Florida campaign submitted 967,528 validated signatures on their initiative to legalize recreational marijuana, more than the 891,523 signatures required to put the measure a on the November, 2024 general election ballot.

In November the Florida Supreme Court heard arguments on whether or not the initiative should be put to a vote in November, with the hearing spurred by a challenge from Attorney General Ashley Moody. The court has not yet ruled on the case, with an April 1 deadline fast approaching.
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Jan 22 2024

Nevada Made $10 Million in Taxes From $68 Million in Marijuana Sales in October

Licensed marijuana stores sold nearly $70 million worth of marijuana in October, garnering the state nearly $10 million in tax revenue.

Legal marijuana sales were $67,921,099 in October throughout Nevada, according to the Nevada Department of Taxation. This resulted in the state bringing in $9,978,856 in marijuana tax revenue.

Total tax revenue for the fiscal year-to-date (starting July 1) is $40,473,664. This was made from the legal distribution of $277,602,500 worth of marijuana and marijuana products.
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Jan 22 2024

Massachusetts: Record-Breaking $158.7 Million in Marijuana Sold in December, $1.8 Billion For 2023

There was more legal marijuana sold in December in Massachusetts than any month prior.

There was $158.7 million worth of marijuana sold legally in December, narrowly breaking the previous monthly record of $158.3 million sold in August.

According to data compiled and released by the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission, $140.1 million of the marijuana sold in December was recreational marijuana, while medical marijuana sales reached $18.6 million.
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