New Jersey Governor is “Very Much” Open to Legalizing Personal Marijuana Cultivation

New Jersey is one of just two legal marijuana states that do not allow marijuana to be cultivated for personal use, but Governor Phil Murphy (D) is open to changing that.

In a recent interview with local outlet New 12 New Jersey, Governor Murphy was asked about legalizing personal marijuana cultivation and he said “I’m very much open-minded to this.”

Murphy said “I would bet, if I were a betting man, that down the road that that’s exactly where this would land”.
Continue reading

Ohio Legislation Filed to Redirect Marijuana Tax Revenue, Allow Cities to Ban Marijuana Use and Cultivation

Legislation has been filed in the Ohio Legislature to significantly redirect tax revenue that will be garnered from the state’s recently approved marijuana legalization law, while allowing cities to place bans on marijuana use and cultivation.

Filed by State Representative Gary Click, House Bill 341 would make multiple adjustments to how marijuana tax revenue will be distributed, as defined by Issue 2 (passed by voters earlier this month).

Under Issue 2, those 21 and older will be allowed starting December 7 to possess and purchase up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana and up to 15 grams of marijuana concentrates. The initiative gives the state nine months to begin issuing licenses for marijuana businesses. Once marijuana stores are open, marijuana will be taxed at 10%.
Continue reading

US Senate Just One or Two Votes Short of Passing Marijuana Banking Bill (SAFER Banking Act)

The SAFER Banking Act appears to be just “one or two votes” short of having enough votes to pass the full United States Senate.

Congressional staffers for two senators who are sponsoring the SAFER Banking Act both say that the Senate needs just one or two more Republicans to support the measure for it to have the 60 votes needed to be passed through the full Senate. This is in line with comments Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer made last week when he said the Senate is “getting close” to a vote.

Schumer vowed in September that the measure would be voted on by the full Senate “very soon”. That remark came after the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs gave approval to the bill.
Continue reading

Montana: $28 Million in Legal Marijuana Purchased in September, Year-to-Date Sales Near a Quarter Billion

There was slightly over $28 million in legal marijuana sold in September in Montana.

According to the Montana Cannabis Control Division, there was $28,159,456 in marijuana and marijuana products sold legally in September, a modest decrease over the record-breaking $28,697,312 sold in August. This marks the third straight month where marijuana sales have surpassed $28 million, with July marking the first time the state passed the $28 million mark.

82% of the marijuana sold in September was purchased by recreational consumers, with sales reaching $23,356,918. The remaining $4,802,538 was purchased by those who are authorized medical marijuana patients.
Continue reading

North America Cannabis Market Valued at $30 Billion, Estimated to Reach $54 Billion Value by 2029

According to a new report the North America cannabis market showcased growth at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.20% during 2019 to 2022, and that growth is expected to continue in the coming years.

The report conducted by Research and Markets found that by the end of 2022, the legal marijuana market in North America was valued at $25.82 billion, which is anticipated to grow to over $30 billion by the end of this year. The market is expected to experience a CAGR of 11.49% during the forecasted period of 2024 to 2029 to reach a total valuation of $54.52 billion.

“The cultivation of cannabis has become more sophisticated, with the advent of modern growing techniques and technologies”, states the report. “This has led to increased product quality and diversity, ranging from traditional flower products to concentrates, edibles, topicals, and more.”
Continue reading

New Hampshire Commission Fails to Reach Consensus on Marijuana Legalization Policy

A commission established by New Hampshire lawmakers has failed to come to an agreement on if and how the state should go about legalizing recreational marijuana.

In August Governor Sununu signed into law legislation creating a commission designed to prepare the state for the legalization of marijuana and give recommendations on how lawmakers can most effectively achieve that goal. The commission has now concluded its meetings without coming to any agreement, with members often sparring over specific details.

The chairman of the commission, Senator Tim Lang (R), put forth a framework that would see the state operating marijuana retail outlets, with products taxed at 15%.
Continue reading

Clinical Trial Finds Oral CBD is an “Effective and Safe Analgesic for Dental Pain”

A single oral dose of cannabidiol (CBD) provides relief from acute dental pain, according to a randomized, placebo-controlled trial published in the Journal of Dental Research.

Conducted by researchers at the University of Texas at San Antonio, Rutgers School of Dental Medicine and the University of Texas Health Science Center, the study is titled Cannabidiol as an Alternative Analgesic for Acute Dental Pain.

“Odontogenic pain can be debilitating, and nonopioid analgesic options are limited”, states the study’s abstract. “This randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial aimed to assess the effectiveness and safety of cannabidiol (CBD) as an analgesic for patients with emergency acute dental pain.”
Continue reading

Minnesota Official Says State is On Track for Marijuana Stores to Open in Early 2025

Minnesota’s marijuana legalization law, signed by Governor Time Walz in May, is on track to be in full effect come early 2025.

“We are on track to successfully launch the legal marijuana industry in early 2025″, says Charlene Briner, interim director for the Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management (OCM). “We are all putting in a lot of work to keep us on track.”

Briner was brought on recently to replace Erin Dupree, who resigned in September just days after being appointed director of the OCM by Governor Walz.
Continue reading

Indiana Committee Recommends Launching a Psilocybin Pilot Program

Indiana’s Public Health, Behavioral Health and Human Services interim study committee has voted to recommend that the state approve a pilot program for psilocybin  (“magic mushrooms”) therapy.

Dried psilocybin mushrooms. (Photo credit: Rich Townsend/Getty Images)

According to a report released by the committee, the “prevailing view is that psilocybin should not be a Schedule I drug and has proven medical benefits.” With that in mind, the committee recommends “the Indiana General Assembly take an approach that strikes a balance between access, research, and prudence.”

To do this, they recommend the state “conduct a pilot clinical study utilizing established therapeutic protocols as a starting point to explore the efficacy, safety, and feasibility of psilocybin assisted therapy in Indiana.”
Continue reading

Study: Cannabinoids May Help Improve Eczema, Acne, Psoriasis, Hair Growth, and Skin Cancer

According to a new meta-analysis published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, cannabinoids may help improve “eczema, acne, pruritus, psoriasis, hair growth, and skin cancer and have anti-aging effects on skin.”

“The therapeutic application of cannabinoids has gained traction in recent years”, notes the abstract of the study, published online by the National Institute of Health. “Cannabinoids interact with the human endocannabinoid system in the skin. A large body of research indicates that cannabinoids could hold promise for the treatment of eczema, psoriasis, acne, pruritus, hair disorders, and skin cancer.”

The study notes that “There are several clinical trials that show the potential benefits of cannabinoids in various dermatologic diseases. Clinical trials involving cannabinoids for pain, inflammation, and cancer “are actively ongoing, with a growing interest in their potential application in conditions that extend beyond skin concerns.”
Continue reading