Sep 10 2023

Arkansas Ban on Delta-8 THC and Other Hemp Products Blocked by Federal Judge

A federal judge has blocked enforcement of an Arkansas law that prohibits the distribution of products made from hemp and products containing delta-8 THC.

U.S. District Judge Billy Roy Wilson ruled this week to stop the enforcement of Act 629, which was passed by the state’s legislature earlier this session. The measure would ban both the production and sale of items containing delta-8, delta-9 and delta-10 THC. The lawsuit was filed by four different businesses, Bio Gen LLC, Drippers Vape Shop LLC, The Cigarette Store LLC, and Sky Marketing Corp, who argued that the law is “unconstitutionally vague.”

Judge Wilson stated that restricting transportation of items containing hemp would violate federal law. He pointed out that the legislature appeared to “keep the parts of the program it likes (purely industrial uses) and eliminate the parts it doesn’t (human consumption).”
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Sep 10 2023

California Senate Committee Passes Bill to Ban Marijuana Products With Various Images Including Humans

Legislation in California to ban the use of a large variety of images on the packaging of marijuana products has been passed by a key Senate committee, months after its unanimous passage through the state’s Assembly.

marijuana edibles

(Photo credit: Elsa Olofsson).

California Assembly Bill 1207, filed by Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin, has been passed by a 5 to 1 vote through the Senate Appropriations Committee. The measure was approved by the full Assembly, 61 to 0, in May. Although the measure is being dubbed as a bill to prevent marijuana products from appealing to children, in reality it would ban thousands of potential images that may or may not have any appeal to kids, including the image of any human, real or fictional.

The measure would prohibit products that are considered “attractive to children”, including “but not limited to, images of any of the following, except as part of required health warnings:
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Sep 08 2023

$139 Million in Legal Marijuana Sold in Illinois in August, Prices Reach All-Time Lows

Throughout August Illinois marijuana stores sold $139.2 million worth of product, a 7.6% increase over the year prior.

The sales are similar to, but slighter lower than the $140 million sold in July (a monthly record), and they’re just shy of $4 million more than the sales for June.

$104.9 million of the marijuana and marijuana products sold came from those living in Illinois, with the remaining $34.3 million purchased by out-of-state residents.
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Sep 08 2023

Report: Global Cannabis Market to Grow from $51 Billion in 2023 to $102 Billion by 2028

According to a new report conducted by the research firm Statista, the revenue for the global cannabis market is projected to reach $51.27 Billion in 2023.

The report estimates the market to have an annual growth rate (CAGR 2023-2028) of 14.95%, resulting in a market volume of US$102.90 Billion by 2028.

“The Global cannabis market just continues to keep growing year after year”, states the report. “The increasing legalization of cannabis and rising acceptance of its use for medical purposes are the key factors driving the growth of the market.”
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Sep 08 2023

Missouri: $119 Million Worth of Marijuana Sold Legally in August

Missouri’s marijuana industry brought in $119 million in sales in August.

Data released by the Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services shows that there was $97 million worth of recreational marijuana sold throughout the month of August, in addition to $22 million worth of medical marijuana. The combined total is a slight decrease over the $123 million sold in July. The monthly high was set in March, with $126 million sold.

The year-to-date total for marijuana sales in Missouri is now $871 million, with the cumulative total since the start of medical marijuana sales in 2020 now standing at $1.47 billion.
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Sep 08 2023

California Bill to Legalize Marijuana Cafes Passed by Legislature, Will Soon be Sent to Governor

A bill to legalize marijuana cafes throughout California has now been given approval by both the Senate and Assembly.

Assembly Bill 374 would “allow for the preparation or sale of noncannabis food or beverage products, as specified, by a licensed retailer or microbusiness in the area where the consumption of cannabis is allowed”. The measure would “allow for the sale of prepackaged, noncannabis-infused, nonalcoholic food and beverages by a licensed retailer”, and it would also allow them to “sell tickets for, live musical or other performances where the consumption of cannabis is allowed.”

“Cannabis cafes in the Netherlands capitalize on the social experience of cannabis by offering coffee, food, and live music, all of those opportunities are currently illegal under California law,” says Assembly Member Matt Haney, the bill’s prime sponsor. “AB 374 will allow struggling cannabis businesses to diversity away from the marijuana-only ‘dispensary’ model and bring much needed tourist dollars into empty downtowns.”
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Sep 08 2023

California Bill to Legalize Psychedelics Sent to Governor Newsom, Includes Psilocybin, DMT and Ibogaine

Legislation to legalize certain psychedelic substances has officially been sent to Governor Gavin Newsom for consideration.

Dried psilocybin mushrooms. Photo credit: Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite

On Wednesday the California Assembly voted 42 to 11 to pass Senate Bill 58, which has already been approved by the Senate. However, a few minor amendments approved in the Assembly required the Senate to give one final vote of concurrence on the measure, which they have now done sending it to Governor Newsom.

The proposed law would legalize the possession, preparation, obtaining, transfer, as specified, or transportation of up to two grams of DMT, 15 grams of ibogaine, two grams of psilocybin (or up to four ounces of “a plant or fungi containing psilocybin”) and two grams of psilocyn (or up to four ounces of “a plant or fungi containing psilocybin”).
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Sep 08 2023

Study Finds Marijuana Extracts Associated with Quality of Life Improvements in Those With Autism

According to a study published in the journal Frontiers in Psychiatry, autistic patients who use marijuana-based extracts experience symptom improvements and a reduction in the use of prescription medications.

The study was conducted by researchers at the National Association for Inclusion of the Autistic People, the University of Brasilia, the Federal University of Minas Gerais, the Euro-American University Center and the Specialized Educational Care Division for Gifted Students of the Department of Education of the Federal District.

“Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) may significantly impact the well-being of patients and their families”, states the study. “The therapeutic use of cannabis for ASD has gained interest due to its promising results and low side effects, but a consensus on treatment guidelines is lacking.”
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Sep 08 2023

Study: Topical CBD Gel an “Effective Candidate For an Anti-Inflammatory Agent”

 The topical administration of 1% CBD gel “is a potentially effective candidate for an anti-inflammatory agent”, states a new study using animal models.

The study is being published in the October issue of the peer-reviewed journal Cannabis and Cannabinods Research, and it was pubished online ahead of print by the US National Library of Medicine. The study was conducted by researchers at Harvard Medical School, Thammasat University, Thailand’s National Science and Technology Development Agency and the University of Québec.

“Cannabidiol (CBD), a phytocannabinoid isolated from cannabis plants, is an interesting candidate for studying its anti-inflammatory effects, especially in the pre-clinical and animal models”, begins the study’s abstract. “Its anti-inflammatory effects, such as reduction of edema and arthritis, have been demonstrated in animal models. However, topical CBD administration requires further evaluation of CBD dosage and efficacy in animal models and clinical settings.”
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Sep 07 2023

North Carolina Tribe Legalizes Marijuana, $50 Million Marijuana Superstore to Open to Everyone 21+

Members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) in North Carolina have given approval to a referendum to legalize recreational marijuana with almost 70% support.

The EBCI voted overwhelmingly in favor of a proposal that will lead to recreational marijuana becoming legal for everyone 21 and older regardless of whether or not they are a tribal member. The tribe’s reservation consists of nearly 57,000 acres covering five counties; Cherokee, Graham, Jackson, Macon, and Swain Counties.

Specifically, the referendum asked voters: “Do you support legalizing the possession and use of cannabis for persons who are at least twenty-one (21) years old, and require the EBCI Tribal Council to develop legislation to regulate the market?” Although the referendum will not automatically make marijuana legal, Tribal Council says they plan to follow the will of the voter and promptly implement the referendum.
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