May 14 2025

New Hampshire Senate Committee Approves House-Backed Psilocybin Decriminalization Bill With Added Fentanyl Provisions

The New Hampshire Senate Judiciary Committee has voted to approve a bill that would decriminalize psilocybin, advancing it to the full Senate for consideration.

House Bill 528, introduced by State Representative Kevin Verville (R), was approved by the House last month with strong bipartisan support. The bill was originally written to fully legalize personal use and possession of psilocybin but was amended in committee to focus on decriminalization.

Before approving the bill in a close 3 to 2 vote, the Senate Judiciary Committee adopted a new amendment that significantly altered the legislation. In addition to reducing penalties for psilocybin possession by adults 18 and older, the amendment added provisions establishing mandatory minimum sentences for certain fentanyl-related offenses and for drug distribution resulting in death. The revised title of the bill now reflects these broader criminal justice changes.
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May 14 2025

Study: Cannabinoids Including THC, CBD, THCV, CBC and CBG Protect Pancreatic Cells From Damage Linked to Type 2 Diabetes

According to a new study published in the journal Molecules, cannabinoids including THC, CBD, THCV, CBC, and CBG may protect pancreatic β-cells from damage linked to type 2 diabetes.

For the study, researchers at the University of Lethbridge used high-glucose, high-lipid (HGHL) conditions to mimic the cellular environment that often leads to β-cell dysfunction in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The team then assessed how five phytocannabinoids commonly found in marijuana affected these insulin-producing cells.

The study found that all five cannabinoids reduced HGHL-induced apoptosis, a form of programmed cell death, which is believed to contribute to the loss of β-cells in T2DM. The cannabinoids appear to exert this effect by lowering levels of TXNIP, a protein linked to oxidative stress and inflammation.
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May 14 2025

Congressmember Dina Titus Receives Lifetime Achievement Award From National Cannabis Industry Association

Congressmember Dina Titus (D-NV) has been honored with the Legislative Lifetime Achievement Award by the National Cannabis Industry Association (NCIA) for her longstanding efforts to advance marijuana reform at the federal level.

The award was presented during NCIA’s annual policy gathering in Washington, D.C., where Titus thanked the organization for its recognition and reaffirmed her commitment to “commonsense cannabis reform.”

In a post on X, she said, “Puff, puff, pass the bill! Thank you for honoring me with the Legislative Lifetime Achievement Award, @NCIAorg. I will continue advocating for commonsense cannabis reform, including my own STATES 2.0 Act.”
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May 14 2025

Florida Updating Medical Marijuana Registry to Improve Access and Usability

Florida’s Office of Medical Marijuana Use (OMMU) is making changes to the state’s medical marijuana registry aimed at simplifying the application process and giving patients better access to important information.

According to OMMU, the state’s Medical Marijuana Use Registry is receiving updates to its infrastructure and security. In addition to improved performance, the update will bring several user-friendly enhancements for patients and caregivers.

Among the changes are a redesigned user profile, an improved application process for electronic medical marijuana cards, and a more detailed order history that clearly shows what has been purchased and dispensed.
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May 14 2025

California Governor’s Revised 2025-26 Budget Prioritizes Illicit Cannabis Enforcement, Avoids Increased Costs for Licensees

Today, Governor Newsom released his revised 2025-2026 state budget, which proposes shifting funding for Department of Cannabis Control’s (DCC) illicit cannabis enforcement activities from the Cannabis Control Fund to the Cannabis Tax Fund.

This change will enable DCC to uphold California’s commitment to protecting public safety and a well-regulated legal cannabis market without increasing licensing fees, according to a press release from the governor’s office.

The revised budget also includes proposals to:
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May 14 2025

Cannabidiol (CBD) Market Expected to Surpass $22 Billion by 2030, Finds New Report

The global cannabidiol (CBD) market is projected to more than double in size over the next five years, reaching $22.05 billion by 2030, according to a new report by Grand View Research.

Valued at $9.14 billion in 2024, the market is forecast to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 15.8% from 2025 through the end of the decade.

CBD’s surge in popularity is being driven by changing consumer attitudes, increasing legalization of hemp-derived products, and growing recognition of its therapeutic potential. With over 80 cannabinoids in the cannabis plant, cannabidiol has become the most widely used for health and wellness purposes due to its non-psychoactive properties.
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May 14 2025

Report: Global Hemp Fiber Market Expected to Triple by 2030

The global hemp fiber industry is on track for explosive growth, with a new market analysis projecting its value will rise from $11 billion in 2024 to $36 billion by 2030.

According to data from MarkNtel Advisors, this growth—representing a compound annual growth rate of 22%—is being fueled by a mix of environmental pressures, legislative reforms, and demand for greener alternatives across multiple sectors.

Hemp fiber, derived from the stalks of the cannabis plant, is gaining momentum as a sustainable substitute for synthetic and heavily polluting materials. With applications spanning textiles, construction, bioplastics, and paper, its appeal lies in its strength, biodegradability, and low-impact cultivation. Asia-Pacific leads the global market, with China in particular dominating cultivation and exports thanks to its long history of hemp use and a lack of prior prohibition.
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May 14 2025

U.S. Legal Cannabis Industry Supports 425,002 Full-Time Equivalent Jobs

The legal marijuana industry in the United States supports 425,002 full-time equivalent jobs, according to a new report by Vangst and Whitney Economics.

The 2025 Cannabis Jobs Report, released yesterday, finds that while the total number of jobs declined by 3.4% in 2024, the industry had about 8k more jobs than in 2023, and it added $30.1 billion in retail sales in 2025—a 4.5% increase over the previous year. The slight dip in employment, totaling 15,443 jobs lost, is attributed to market corrections in maturing states and a shift toward more efficient operations.

Emerging markets drove much of the growth. New York saw a 209% increase in cannabis jobs, with Mississippi up 103% and Ohio up 34%. These gains were fueled by new business licenses and wider consumer access. By contrast, older markets like Arizona (-52%), Illinois (-25%) and Colorado (-9%) experienced declines due to oversupply, high taxation, and shrinking consumer activity.
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May 14 2025

Oklahoma Marijuana Licensing Glitch Accidentally Cancels Thousands of Business Licenses

The Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority (OMMA) says a technical issue with its licensing platform has mistakenly canceled thousands of active business licenses.

According to OMMA, a glitch in the Thentia system triggered erroneous notifications to licensed businesses stating their licenses had expired. The agency says affected businesses are still legally allowed to operate and should contact OMMA using the form at omma.ok.gov/contact.

Several licensed businesses have reported receiving cancellation notices via email at around 3am. In a public statement, OMMA said, “We are aware of a Thentia glitch that canceled business licenses. Please hold tight; we’re working as quickly as possible to figure out what led to this and the inconvenience it put on thousands of businesses.”
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May 14 2025

Bipartisan Minnesota Bill Would Allow Broader Cannabis Ownership Through Employee Stock Plans

A bipartisan bill introduced today in the Minnesota Senate would expand opportunities for cannabis businesses to be owned through employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs).

The measure, Senate File 3520, was filed by Senator Rob Kupec (D) and Senator Mark Koran (R) and has been referred to the Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee. The proposal would amend several provisions of Minnesota’s cannabis statute to explicitly allow ESOPs to serve as true parties of interest in cannabis business licenses—a designation that determines who holds ownership and control.

Under current law, restrictions are in place to limit the number of licenses and license applications a single individual or business entity can control. SF 3520 would make clear that these restrictions do not apply to employee stock ownership plans, nor to their trustees or affiliated employees who operate under such plans. This would open the door for cannabis businesses to be structured with shared employee ownership while maintaining compliance with the state’s regulatory framework.
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