Jan 01 2025

Incoming Senate Majority Leader Says He’s “Not a Fan” of SAFER Banking Act, Appears Unsure of Marijuana Rescheduling

Senator John Thune, who will take over as Senate Majority Leader later this month, says he’s “not a fan” of SAFER Banking while appearing unsure of his opinion on marijuana rescheduling.

Senator John Thune (photo credit: Allison Robbert/Bloomberg).

When asked by Matt Laslo of Ask a Pol “What are your thoughts on the SAFER Banking Act?”, Senator Thune responded by saying “I’m not a fan”, while refusing to elaborate further.

Furthermore, when Laslo asked Thune if he had “Any thoughts on the DEA rescheduling marijuana?”, Thune said “Ummm”, while continuing to walk into the US Capitol. He gave no further answer.
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Jan 01 2025

New York Governor Celebrates New York Surpassing $1 Billion in Retail Marijuana Sales

Governor Kathy Hochul today proudly announced that New York State’s cannabis industry has reached a historic milestone of more than $1 billion in retail sales.

This achievement “reflects the dedication of entrepreneurs, consumers, and communities who have embraced the legal market and helped to establish New York as a national leader in cannabis equity and innovation”, according to a press release sent by Governor Hochul’s office.

“Earlier this year, my administration took critical steps to promote progress and economic opportunity within New York’s budding cannabis industry, including signing new enforcement powers into law that expedited the closure of unlicensed storefronts and, as a result, bolstered our legal market,” Governor Hochul said. “Today, we recognize the $1 billion milestone as more than just a number—it’s a testament to the hard work of those who helped build the strongest cannabis industry in the nation: one that prioritizes equity, ensures public safety, and empowers communities.”
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Dec 31 2024

Federal Judge Rules Gun Ban for Marijuana Consumers is Unconstitutional

A federal judge in Texas has dismissed an indictment against a man who was charged with possessing firearms while using marijuana, ruling the federal law prohibiting such conduct unconstitutional.

U.S. District Judge David Briones, presiding over the Western District of Texas, ruled against the prosecution of Adrian Gil, II, citing that the Government failed to prove that Gil was intoxicated at the time of his arrest. The case (United States of America v. Adrian Gil, II) was dismissed with prejudice, meaning it cannot be refiled, marking another significant decision challenging federal restrictions on firearm ownership for marijuana users.

The case originated in July 2021, when El Paso police responded to a call about a disturbance at Gil’s residence. Upon entering, officers discovered two large vacuum-sealed bags of marijuana and several firearms. Gil, a daily marijuana user since age 14, acknowledged owning the firearms and possessing a medical marijuana card from New Mexico but admitted he was aware that federal law prohibited gun ownership for marijuana users. He was indicted under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(3), pled guilty, and was sentenced to 35 months in prison before appealing the case.
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Dec 31 2024

SciSparc Secures Renewed Approval by Israel Cannabis Agency for Clinical Trial in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

SciSparc Ltd., a specialty clinical-stage pharmaceutical company focusing on the development of therapies to treat disorders of the central nervous system,  has received renewed approval from the Israeli Medical Cannabis Agency to conduct a clinical trial of SCI-210, a CBD and CannAmide combination, for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

This renewal reaffirms the Company’s compliance with IMCA regulatory requirements and enables the continued progression of its clinical trial, according to a press release sent today. The approval was received for a period of 30 days and will be extended pending the final approval by the Israeli police department, which is expected to be received within 30 days. SciSparc has also previously received the necessary approvals from the Soroka University Medical Center Ethics Committee and the Israeli Ministry of Health to conduct the trial, advancing its innovative treatments for ASD.

The clinical trial for SCI-210 is a double-blind, randomized, and placebo-controlled study conducted at Soroka University Medical Center in Israel, involving 60 children aged 5 to 18 with ASD. The trial aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of SCI-210, a proprietary combination of CBD and CannAmide™ (SciSparc’s novel Palmitoylethanolamide formulation), compared to standard CBD monotherapy. Participants will undergo a 20-week treatment program, focusing on symptom management and therapeutic outcomes.
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Dec 31 2024

New York Lawmaker to Refile Legislation to Legalize Medical Psilocybin and Establish Licensed Service Centers

New York Assemblymember Amy Paulin (D) plans to refile her psilocybin legalization bill for the January 2025 legislative session after the measure failed to advance in 2024.

Dried psilocybin mushrooms.

The proposed legislation, titled Assembly Bill 10375 during this year’s session, was introduced in May 2024. The measure sought to establish a comprehensive framework for the “regulated adult use, support services, and cultivation of psilocybin-containing fungi.” Despite significant interest, the bill did not progress through the legislature this year.

Paulin’s bill outlines a system for licensing and regulating psilocybin therapy, allowing qualified adults to use the substance under the supervision of licensed healthcare professionals in designated service centers. The measure would also remove psilocybin from the state’s list of controlled substances.
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Dec 31 2024

CBD Has Antibacterial and Antibiofilm Potential, “Exhibiting Promise as a Therapeutic Alternative for Oral Diseases”, Finds Study

A new study suggests cannabidiol (CBD) could be a game-changer in fighting gum disease, showing significant antibacterial and antibiofilm effects against harmful oral bacteria.

Researchers from Brazil’s Federal University of São João del Rei and Universidade Federal de Uberlândia found CBD to be both effective and non-toxic, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic option for periodontal health.

In the study, researchers explored the potential of CBD as an antimicrobial agent to combat bacteria associated with periodontitis. Their findings, being published in the Journal of Applied Microbiology and published online ahead of print by the U.S. National Library of Medicine, suggest that CBD may serve as a therapeutic option for oral diseases while exhibiting minimal toxicity.
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Dec 31 2024

35 Marijuana Reviewer Jobs Remain Open in Four States and D.C., Pays Up to $1,500 Weekly

Toker’s Guide is hiring marijuana reviewers across Florida, Maryland, Virginia, New York, and Washington, D.C., offering 35 positions aimed at cannabis enthusiasts with a knack for writing and product evaluation.

The company describes itself as “a rapidly growing cannabis start-up helping people find the best weed in their area by utilizing reviews from local connoisseurs.” According to a job listing on Indeed, Toker’s Guide is seeking reviewers to assess and write about dispensary products, with a focus on delivering high-quality reviews.

The breakdown of job openings includes seven positions in Florida, 17 in Maryland, four in Virginia, one in New York, and six in Washington, D.C. While most roles are “mostly remote,” applicants must be able to travel for pick-ups or deliveries.
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Dec 31 2024

Legislation to Support Collective Bargaining for Marijuana Workers Filed in Washington Legislature

Legislation to establish collective bargaining rights for marijuana workers was filed yesterday in the Washington State House of Representatives.

House Bill 1141, introduced by State Representatives Lillian Ortiz-Self and Mary Fossee on December 30, 2024, seeks to establish collective bargaining rights for workers in Washington’s marijuana industry. The bill is scheduled for consideration during the 2025 legislative session and aims to extend labor protections to workers involved in marijuana cultivation and processing.

The proposed legislation establishes guidelines for organizing labor unions, resolving labor disputes, and protecting workers’ rights to collective bargaining. Employees covered under the bill include those performing tasks such as growing, harvesting, drying, and trimming marijuana on licensed farms. Managers and supervisors with decision-making authority are excluded from these provisions.
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Dec 31 2024

Montana Lawmaker Files Resolution Urging Federal Government to Pass SAFER Banking Act

Senator Joshua Kassmier, a Republican, has prefiled Senate Joint Resolution 5 (SJR 5) in the Montana Legislature, urging the United States Congress to pass the SAFER Banking Act.

The resolution was officially introduced on December 27, and it was assigned on December 30 to the Business, Labor, and Economic Affairs Committee for consideration.

SJR 5 highlights the challenges faced by marijuana-related businesses due to federal restrictions on banking access. The resolution notes that despite marijuana’s federal Schedule I classification under the Controlled Substances Act of 1970, public opinion has shifted significantly, with a Pew Research poll showing 61% of Americans support nationwide legalization. Montana voters approved medical marijuana in 2004 and recreational use in 2020, with the state generating over $117 million in marijuana tax revenue between January 2022 and April 2024. These funds have supported initiatives ranging from mental health services to wildlife conservation and veterans’ programs.
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Dec 30 2024

Hawaii Governor Signs Order to Protect Medical Marijuana Caregivers

Hawaii Governor Josh Green signed Executive Order No. 24-06 today, designed to protect caregivers who provide medical cannabis to qualified patients, from undue enforcement.

Under current Hawaii law, primary caregivers are authorized to cultivate marijuana for qualified patients. However, the law allowing this was set to expire on January 1.

To address this, the Governor has signed an executive order directing the Department of Health to not use resources to address situations where a caregiver is cultivating cannabis for a patient within the bounds of the law that exist today. This will allow primary caregivers to continue to perform their duties without fear of enforcement from the Department of Health, so long as they are not committing other significant violations like those described in the executive order.
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