Sep 05 2024

Ohio Approves 121 More Licenses for Marijuana Stores, Places Cap in the Largest Cities

Ohio’s Division of Cannabis Control (DCC) has nearly doubled the number of approved applications for marijuana retail licenses, while simultaneously capping the number of cannabis retail outlets in the state’s three largest cities.

While approving 121 new store applications, the DCC ruled that 47 of these retailers cannot open in Franklin, Cuyahoga, or Hamilton counties, which encompass Columbus, Cleveland, and Cincinnati. The DCC determined that these areas already have adequate retail presence, and no new licenses will be approved for the foreseeable future.

The newly approved permits are part of the state’s “10(B) license” program, which allows licensed growers and retailers to expand operations. The approvals come in addition to the 123 medical marijuana dispensaries that began selling adult-use products on Aug. 6.
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Sep 05 2024

Study: THC and CBD Combo May Slow Alzheimer’s Progression by Modulating Brain Chemistry

A groundbreaking study published in the per reviewed journal Neurotherapeutics shows that a combination of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) may offer new hope for treating Alzheimer’s disease (AD).

“A combination of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) at non-psychoactive doses was previously demonstrated to reduce cognitive decline in APP/PS1 mice, an animal model of Alzheimer’s disease (AD)”, starts the study’s abstract. “However, the neurobiological substrates underlying these therapeutic properties of Δ9-THC and CBD are not fully understood.”

Considering that dysregulation of glutamatergic activity contributes to cognitive impairment in AD, the present study “evaluates the hypothesis that the combination of these two natural cannabinoids might reverse the alterations in glutamate dynamics within the hippocampus of this animal model of AD.”
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Sep 05 2024

Study: CBD Extends Lifespan and Reverses Symptoms in Mitochondrial Disease

A new study published in the journal Nature Communications reveals that cannabidiol (CBD) may offer a breakthrough in treating primary mitochondrial diseases (MD), a group of untreatable disorders caused by mutations in energy-producing genes.

The research specifically focuses on Leigh syndrome (LS), the most common pediatric MD, which is marked by progressive neuromuscular impairment and early death.

The study shows that daily CBD administration significantly extends lifespan and improves various symptoms in two mouse models of Leigh syndrome.
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Sep 05 2024

New Hampshire Legislature to Hold Hearing on Marijuana Legalization Next Week

In exactly one week, on September 12, a New Hampshire legislative committee will hold a public hearing on the legalization of marijuana.

Specifically, the public hearing will be on House Bill 544, which is set for a “full committee work session” on September 12 at 10:00 a.m. in the Legislative Office Building, Rooms 302-304. House Bill 544, filed in January 2023 by five Democrats, would legalize marijuana in a manner similar to alcohol, including a putting control of the legal marijuana market in the hands of the state liquor commission.

According to recent polling, 65% of New Hampshire residents are in favor of legalizing marijuana for everyone 21 and older, indicating strong public backing.
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Sep 04 2024

California Legislature Passes Bill Allowing Marijuana Businesses to Hold Multiple Licenses, Sending it to Governor Newsom

Legislation in California to simplify marijuana business operations by allowing multiple activities under a single license, has been approved by the state’s legislature with overwhelming support.

(Photo credit: Getty Images).

California Senate Bill 1064, introduced by Senator John Laird (D) in April, has passed both the full Assembly (73 to 0) and Senate (37 to 1). Yesterday, the measure was presented to Governor Gavin Newsom, giving him 12 days to decide whether to sign it into law, allow it to become law without a signature, or veto it.

SB 1064 introduces a new “combined activities license,” which would allow two or more cannabis-related business activities to operate under a single license at the same premises, with the exception of laboratory testing. Under current law, cannabis operators are required to apply for separate licenses for each activity they wish to conduct, such as retail sale, cultivation, and distribution. This bill seeks to simplify the licensing process by allowing certain activities to be combined, reducing the administrative burden on businesses.
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Sep 04 2024

Idaho Nonprofit Announces Forthcoming Initiative to Decriminalize Marijuana Possession and Cultivation

The nonprofit political group Kind Idaho has announced that they will soon unveil an initiative to decriminalize marijuana, with the goal of putting it to a vote of the people in 2025 or 2026.

“Our 2023-2024 campaign has concluded and we did not meet the requirements to get on the ballot”, said Kind Idaho in a social media post. The group was referring to a medical marijuana initiative they were hoping to place on this year’s ballot, but fell short of the required signatures. “Thank you to everyone that signed, donated, volunteered!”

The group says “We will be restructuring and rebranding soon to be focused on patient advocacy in general and our next ballot initiative will be aimed at cannabis decriminalization. More information to follow.”
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Sep 04 2024

California Reports $263 Million in Cannabis Tax Revenue for Q2 2024

Today, the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) reported cannabis tax revenue for the second quarter of 2024.

As of mid-August, total cannabis tax revenue from second-quarter returns is $263.1 million, according to a CDTFA press release. This figure includes $154.3 million in cannabis excise tax and $108.8 million from sales tax collected from cannabis businesses. These figures do not include outstanding returns or returns that still are being processed.

Reported revenue for the first quarter of 2024 returns has been revised to $266.4 million. This includes $157.3 million attributed to cannabis excise tax and $109.1 million to sales tax. These revisions are a result of amended and late returns, as well as other tax return adjustments.
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Sep 03 2024

Study Finds CBD May Enhance Cancer Immunotherapy in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

A study published in the recent issue of the journal  Cancer Immunology Research suggests that cannabidiol (CBD) may enhance the effectiveness of atezolizumab, a drug commonly used in treating triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC).

The study, which was published online ahead of print by the National Library of Medicine, highlights the potential for CBD to be used as an immune modulator, offering a new avenue for improving cancer treatments.

Triple-negative breast cancer is an aggressive form of cancer that often relies on cytotoxic therapies. Current treatments include the combination of atezolizumab, an immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI), with chemotherapy. However, the effectiveness of this combination is limited for patients with low reactivity to atezolizumab, prompting researchers to explore alternative treatments that could enhance its efficacy.
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Sep 03 2024

North Carolina Marijuana Superstore Opens Saturday for Everyone 21 and Older: Exploring Their Lineup

The Great Smoky Cannabis Company (91 Bingo Loop Road Cherokee) opens their doors to everyone 21 and older in four days, on Saturday, September 7.

Just a few of the dozens of products available at the Great Smoky Cannabis Company.

The marijuana superstore, located at the home of a former bingo hall that cost over $50 million to renovate, opens Saturday on tribal land operated by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. The store is located about three hours from Charlotte and 4.5 hours from Raleigh.

The outlet first opened on April 20, exclusively available to those who were both medical marijuana patients and a member of the tribe. On July 4, the store expanded its services to include recreational sales, but access was still limited to tribal members. Starting September 7, anyone 21 and older can come into the store and purchase a variety of marijuana products.
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Sep 03 2024

Ohio: $66 Million in Marijuana Sold Legally Between August 6 and August 31, Prices Continue to Drop

There was over $60 million worth of marijuana and marijuana products sold legally in the first 25 days after legal recreational marijuana sales began in Ohio.

According to the Ohio Division of Cannabis Control (DCC), there was $67,320,029 worth of legal marijuana sold between August 6, the start of recreational marijuana sales, and August 31.

The majority of these sales —$44,051,671— were purchased for recreational consumption, with licensed medical marijuana patients purchasing $23,268,358 worth during the same period.
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