Jan 11 2024

Study of Twins Finds Lifetime Marijuana Use Not Linked to Negative Mental Health or Psychosocial Outcomes

According to a new study published in the Journal of Psychopathology and Clinical Science, the use of marijuana over several decades is not associated with a significantly elevated risk of either psychiatric disorders, cognitive decline, or other adverse psychosocial outcomes.

For the study researchers at the University of Minnesota and the University of Colorado examined the long-term impact of marijuana use on psychiatric and psychosocial outcomes in a sample of more than 4,000 adult twins assessed between 1994 to 2021.

“In a sample of 4,078 American adult twins first assessed decades ago, we used cotwin control mixed effects models to evaluate the effect of lifetime average frequency of cannabis consumption measured on substance use, psychiatric, and psychosocial outcomes”, states the study.
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Jan 11 2024

Indiana: Republican Lawmaker Files Bill to Legalize Marijuana for Everyone 18+

Legislation that would legalize marijuana for all uses for everyone 18 and older has been filed in the Indiana Legislature.

Republican State Representative Zach Payne (R) filed House Bill 1410 today in the House of Representatives. The measure was quickly assigned to the Committee on Courts and Criminal Code.

The proposed law, according to its legislative summary, “Legalizes the sale and use of cannabis by a person at least 18 years of age”, and “Requires the Indiana department of health to establish a program to issue a medical cannabis identification card to a patient whose physician has recommended cannabis to treat a medical condition.”
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Jan 10 2024

Colorado Garnered $274 Million in Marijuana Taxes in 2023

The legal marijuana industry in Colorado brought in well over a quarter of a billion dollars in tax revenue in 2023.

Colorado marijuana taxes

Data released by the Colorado Department of Revenue shows that the state made $19,089,159 in taxes from the legal distribution of marijuana in December. This brings the state’s yearly marijuana tax total to $274,121,043.

Since the start of legal recreational marijuana a decade ago, Colorado has garnered $2,618,157,732 worth of tax revenue from marijuana industry.
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Jan 10 2024

New Florida Bill Would Make Medical Marijuana Cards and Renewals Free for Veterans

Legislation to remove the financial burden of receiving and renewing medical marijuana authorization cards for veterans has been filed in the Florida Senate.

Senate Bill 1514 was filed Friday by Senator Victor Torres (D). Today the measure was assigned to the Senate Health Policy Committee, the Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services and the Fiscal Policy Committee.

“A qualified patient who is a veteran, as defined in s. 1.01(14), is not required to pay the fee for the issuance or renewal of a medical marijuana use registry identification card.”
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Jan 10 2024

Connecticut: $27 Million Worth of Marijuana Sold in December, $274 Million in 2023

December broke the monthly marijuana sales record in Connecticut.

There was $27.5 million worth of legal marijuana sold in December in Connecticut, breaking the previous monthly record by over $1 million. This is according to data released by the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection.

The majority of these sales were to recreational consumers at $17.1 million, while medical marijuana patients purchased $10.3 million.
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Jan 10 2024

Delaware Committee Approves Bill to Allow Physicians to Recommend Medical Marijuana for Any Condition

A key legislative committee in Delaware has given approval to legislation that would greatly expand the number of people eligible to become medical marijuana patients.

Delaware’s House Health & Human Development Committee passed House Bill 285 today. Filed by State Representative Edward Osienski along with a bipartisan group of eight cosponsors, the proposed law would amend the Delaware Medical Marijuana Act by removing the list of qualifying medical conditions. Instead, health-care providers would be authorized to recommend medical marijuana to anyone they feel could benefit from it, regardless of their particular condition.

In addition, the bill would “patients aged 65 and older to self-certify their qualification for a registry identification card without a written certification from a health-care provider.”
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Jan 10 2024

Rhode Island: $10.2 Million in Marijuana Sold in December, New Monthly Record, With Over $100 Million Sold in 2023

For the first time ever legal marijuana sales passed $10 million in a single month in Rhode Island.

There was exactly $10,216,190 worth of marijuana and marijuana products sold legally in December, the most in any single month in Rhode Island history. This is according to data compiled and released by the Rhode Island Department of Business Regulations.

Of the $10.2 million in marijuana sold, $2,409,314 was purchased by medical marijuana patients, while $7,806,876 was purchased by recreational consumers.
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Jan 09 2024

Illinois: Record-Breaking $181 Million in Legal Marijuana Sold in December, Almost $2 Billion in 2023

There was $181 million worth of marijuana sold in December, a monthly record for Illinois.

According to data just released by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, $153.9 million in recreational marijuana sold in December, in addition to $27.9 million in medical marijuana sold during the same period. The combined $181.8 million was around $17 million more than the previous month, and 7% more than the previous December.

Of the $153 million in recreational (“adult use”) marijuana sales for December,  $36 million was purchased by those visiting from outside the state, while $117.9 million was purchased by Illinois residents. Only patients who reside in Illinois can use medical marijuana dispensaries.
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Jan 09 2024

Legislation to Legalize Personal Marijuana Cultivation Filed in New Jersey Senate

A legislative bill that would allow marijuana to be grown for medical and recreational use has been filed in New Jersey’s Senate.

Senate Bill 1985 today was “Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee”. The measure was filed by Senator Vin Gopal along with cosponsors Senators Troy Singleton, Patrick Diegnan, Shirley Turner and Andrew Zwicker.

The proposed law  would legalize “growing or possessing up to six marijuana plants for personal recreational use, and up to 10 plants for personal medical use, by persons aged 21 or older.”
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Jan 09 2024

Bipartisan Washington State Bill Would Ban Marijuana Concentrates With Over 35% THC

Legislation that would prohibit most recreational marijuana concentrates (oil, wax, hash, etc.) in Washington State has been refiled in the House of Representatives.

Sticky Frog Live Resin Sugar, which is sold throughout Washington State with THC percentages often between 80 and 97%.

House Bill 1642 is sponsored by State Representative Lauren Davis along with a bipartisan coalition of 11 cosponsors. The measure was first filed in January, 2023 and assigned to the House Committee on Regulated Substances & Gaming. Yesterday the measure was “reintroduced and retained in present status”.

The legislation “Prohibits licensed cannabis retailers from selling cannabis concentrates with a tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) concentration greater than 35 percent, except for cannabis retailers with a medical cannabis endorsement who may continue to sell these products to qualifying patients and designated providers who are entered in the Medical Cannabis Authorization Database.”
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