Aug 14 2024

Florida Poll Finds 63% of Likely Voters Favor Amendment 3 to Legalize Marijuana

A new poll conducted by the Suffolk University Political Research Center, USA TODAY and WSVN-TV finds that a strong majority of likely voters in Florida support Amendment 3 to legalize recreational marijuana.

According to the poll, 63% of voters in Florida support Amendment 3, compared to 33% who are opposed. Just 3% remain undecided on the issue.

The poll found majority support among all political affiliations, with Democrats unsurprisingly having the most support at 73%, followed by independents at 69% and Republicans at 51%. The poll found majority support among all age groups.
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Aug 14 2024

University of California Needs Participants for Five Different Marijuana-Related Clinical Trials

The University of California in San Diego (UCSD) currently has seven active marijuana-related clinical trials, and they are seeking participants for five of them.

Of the seven cannabis clinical trials the UCSD has “in progress”, five of them are “open to eligible people”.

These studies are part of the university’s ongoing efforts to explore the medical applications of marijuana, which is becoming increasingly relevant as more states legalize its use for both recreational and medicinal purposes, and as marijuana is rescheduled at the federal level.
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Aug 13 2024

Nebraska Committee Advances Bill to Establish a 30% Tax on CBD and Hemp Products

A key committee in the Nebraska Legislature has given approval to legislation that would place a substantial tax on the distribution of CBD and consumable hemp products.

Hemp.

Legislative Bill 34, sponsored by Senator Lou Ann Linehan (R), would place a 30% sales tax on CBD and consumable hemp products. Yesterday, the Revenue Committee, which is chaired by Senator Linehan, voted 6 to 1 to advance the measure.

If enacted, the bill would impose the sales tax on hemp products intended for consumption, which are defined as those containing up to 0.3% THC. The tax would not apply to hemp products made from stalks or seeds for fiber or food purposes, nor to federally approved pharmaceuticals.
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Aug 13 2024

The 10 States Leading in Per Capita Marijuana Sales

As the legal marijuana industry continues to grow and mature across the United States, some states are experiencing notably high sales per capita.

Using marijuana sales data from January to July 2024, this analysis highlights the top 10 states with the highest legal marijuana sales per person. Data was collected via state regulatory agencies, as well as the research firm Headset. Population data was garnered from US Census data.

Below are the 10 States with the most legal marijuana sales per capita:
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Aug 13 2024

The 5 States With the Highest Percentage of Medical Marijuana Patients

With medical marijuana now legal in 38 states, some states have witnessed particularly high enrollment in their cannabis programs as acceptance continues to grow across the United States.

Based on the most recent data from state regulatory agencies and the Marijuana Policy Project (MPP), five states stand out for having the highest percentage of their populations registered as medical marijuana patients. Below are those five, ranked by the percentage of patients, from highest to lowest.
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Aug 13 2024

Illinois Legal Marijuana Sales Reached $168 Million in July, Year-to-Date Marijuana Tax Revenue Tops $250 Million

The legal marijuana market in Illinois generated $168 million in sales in July.

This figure is slightly above the $166 million in sales recorded in the previous month and marginally higher than the $166.8 million reported in July 2023, according to the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.

Consistent with previous months, about 85% of July’s marijuana sales in Illinois were from recreational consumers, while 15% came from licensed medical marijuana patients. Of the recreational sales, approximately $145 million, around 25% was purchased by out-of-state residents.
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Aug 13 2024

Study Finds Medical Cannabis Improves Quality of Life, Reduces Prescription Use

A new study set to be published in the October 2024 issue of The Journal of Nurse Practitioners finds that medical cannabis can significantly improve the quality of life for patients suffering from anxiety, depression, insomnia, and chronic pain.

Conducted at a medical cannabis clinic in rural Appalachia, Virginia, by researchers from Old Dominion University, the study surveyed 31 individuals. An online simultaneous pre-post–cross-sectional survey was used.

“Generally, respondents were informed about medical cannabis use but lacked knowledge about cannabis varieties and medicinal properties”, notes the study’s abstracr. “Respondents were more likely to obtain information about medical cannabis from nurse practitioners. Moreover, health and well-being improved significantly after medical cannabis was added to the treatment regimen.”
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Aug 13 2024

The 10 States Most Likely to Legalize Marijuana Next

As the momentum for marijuana legalization continues to grow across the United States, several states are on the verge of joining the ranks of those allowing recreational cannabis use.

While 24 states have already legalized marijuana, many others are actively moving toward legalization, including several states that have marijuana initiatives on this November’s ballot.

Based on the latest legislative developments, political support and ballot initiatives, here are 10 states most likely to legalize marijuana next.
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Aug 13 2024

Marijuana Smokeability Study Will Soon Select Participants to Get Paid to Smoke Joints

DaySavers and the Cannabis Research Coalition will soon select participants for their groundbreaking study, “The Science of Smokeability” (SOS).

As recruitment for this unique research opportunity comes to a close, those involved in the study are preparing to choose and announce the final participants “in the coming days”. Those chosen will be informed via e-mail.

The study will explore how various cultivation and processing techniques impact the quality and experience of smoking cannabis, addressing a significant gap in existing research. In June, DaySavers announced, “This 2+ year study will explore how cultivation and processing metrics impact the smoking experience, filling a critical gap in cannabis research.”
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Aug 12 2024

10 Important Psilocybin (Magic Mushroom) Studies Published in 2024

In 2024, a growing body of research has highlighted the potential therapeutic benefits of psilocybin, the psychedelic compound found in “magic mushrooms”.

Dried psilocybin mushrooms (photo credit: Tony Simonelli).

These studies, published in various peer-reviewed journals, have explored psilocybin’s effects on mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and even Alzheimer’s disease, among other ailments.

With that in mind, here are 10 of the most important psilocybin-related studies published so far this year:
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