Oct 18 2023

FBI Data Shows There Was Over 225,000 Marijuana Arrests Nationwide Last Year

According to new data released by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), marijuana arrests increased slightly last year.

(Photo credit: Shutterstock).

Despite recreational marijuana being legalized in 23 states and medical marijuana legalized in over a dozen more, marijuana arrests saw an uptick between 2021 and 2022.

According to the FBI, there were 227,108 people arrested for a marijuana-related charge in 2022. Around 209,000 of these were for simple possession. Arrests in 2022 were 3.47% higher than in 2021.
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Oct 18 2023

Illinois Bill Would Remove Psilocybin as Schedule 1 Drug, Create Psilocybin Advisory Board

The Compassionate Use and Research of Entheogens Act has been filed in the Illinois Senate.

Dried psilocybin (“magic mushrooms”).

Senate Bill 2612 was filed today by Senator Willie Preston, and it’s been sent to the Senate Assignments Committee.

The proposed law would establish the Illinois Psilocybin Advisory Board within the Department of Public Health “for the purpose of advising and making recommendations to the Department regarding the provision of psilocybin and psilocybin services”, and it would remove psilocybin and psilocin from the list of Schedule I controlled substances.
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Oct 18 2023

Wisconsin: Marijuana Legalization Bill Filed in Assembly, Companion Bill Already Filed in Senate

Just nine days after a bill to legalize marijuana was filed in the Wisconsin Senate, a companion bill has been filed in the state’s Assembly.

Wisconsin Assembly Bill 506 was filed with 36 cosponsors, led by State Representative Darrin Madison. It has been assigned to the Committee on State Affairs. Companion bill SB 486 has been assigned to the Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee.

Both SB 486 and AB 506 would legalize the personal possession of up to five ounces of marijuana for everyone who is at least 21 years old. The personal cultivation of up to six marijuana plants would also be allowed.
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Oct 18 2023

Ohio Senate President Threatens to Alter or Repeal Marijuana Legalization Initiative if Approved by Voters

In Ohio early voting is underway for an initiative to legalize marijuana, but despite the election being three weeks away Ohio Senate President Matt Huffman is already promising to ignore the will of his constituents.

In recent comments on the Senate floor, Senate President Matt Huffman said that if voters approve Issue 2 on November 7, it will be “coming right back before this body”, indicating the measure and its provisions could be altered or even repealed.

Huffman says he “will advocate for reviewing it and repealing things or changing things that are in it”. He says if Issue 2 does pass, “We’re going to have a mental health crisis on our hands. We are going to pay for this for years and years and years, and it’s only going to get worse.”
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Oct 18 2023

Oregon’s Two Leading Cannabis Trade Associations Announce Merger

In a landmark move meant to “fortify the foundation of Oregon’s cannabis industry”, the boards of the state’s leading cannabis trade associations—the Oregon Cannabis Association (OCA) and the Cannabis Industry Alliance of Oregon (CIAO)—have unanimously voted to merge, effective immediately.

(Photo credit: Brian Breneman).

According to a press release, the merger “signifies a united front for the Oregon cannabis industry, blending the strengths and expertise of both organizations to create the strongest force for advocacy Oregon’s cannabis industry has seen.

According to Mike Getlin, CIAO’s Board Chair, “This merger makes a clear statement that the industry can, must, and will stand as one. We are proud to stand beside our colleagues from the OCA and look forward to working for a better future for all Oregon cannabis businesses and employees.”
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Oct 18 2023

Psilocybin (Magic Mushrooms) May Help Those With Psychological Distress From Childhood Trauma

According to a new study, “psilocybin therapy may be potentially acceptable and may feasibly help in supporting survivors of adverse childhood experiences with particularly strong benefits to those with more severe childhood adversity.”

The study was conducted by researchers at the University of British Columbia, Simon Fraser University, Athabasca University, and University of Michigan, and it was published in the Journal of Psychoactive Drugs. The study is titled Therapeutic Potential of Psilocybin for Treating Psychological Distress among Survivors of Adverse Childhood Experiences: Evidence on Acceptability and Potential Efficacy of Psilocybin Use.

“Survivors of adverse childhood experience are at elevated risk for psychological distress”, notes the study’s abstract. “In recent years, renewed interest in psychedelic medicine has highlighted the therapeutic potential of psilocybin for those who have experienced childhood
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Oct 18 2023

Poll: 57% of Likely Ohio Voters Plan to Vote Yes on Issue 2 to Legalize Marijuana

With early voting underway and less than three weeks to go until the November 7 election, a Baldwin Wallace University Ohio Pulse Poll shows strong support for a ballot initiative that would legalize recreational marijuana.

The BW Community Research Institute (BW CRI) survey asked Ohioans for their opinions on a variety of issues, including Issue 2, an initiative on the November ballot that would make marijuana legal for everyone 21 and older.

The poll found that 57% said they plan to vote “yes” on Issue 2, with 35% planning to vote “no” and just 7% undecided.
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Oct 17 2023

Legislation to Decriminalize Marijuana Filed in Florida Senate

Legislation to remove criminal penalties for the first three times someone is caught possessing marijuana for personal use has been filed in the Florida Legislature.

Senator Shevrin Jones, a Democrat serving Florida’s 35th district, filed Senate Bill 94 earlier this month. Today it was assigned to the Senate Criminal Justice Committee.

Under current Florida law, the possession of even a miniscule amount of marijuana is a misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail, with the penalty rising to a felony and up to five years in prison if there’s over 20 grams. Senate Bill 94 would change this so that the personal possession of up to 20 grams of marijuana would be a fine of $100 for a first violation, $250 for a second violation and $500 for a third. If a fourth violation is committed, it could be charged as a misdemeanor.
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Oct 16 2023

Missouri Marijuana Sales Reach $117 Million in September, $1 Billion Year-to-Date

Licensed marijuana retail outlets sold over $117 million in worth of products in September.

The $117.8 million in marijuana and marijuana products sold in September is a modest decrease from the $119 million sold in August. This is according to data released by the Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services.

Although recreational marijuana sales were actually higher in September than August, $98.2 million compared to $97, medical marijuana sales decreased; $19.6 million from $22 million.
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Oct 16 2023

North Carolina Tribe Issues Hundreds of Medical Marijuana Cards, First in State History

The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) in North Carolina have, for the first time, issued medical marijuana cards to qualifying patients.

The EBCI has approved 817 of the 1,005 applications it received for those wanting to become legal medical marijuana patients on tribal land. Having a medical card will allow patients to purchase marijuana and marijuana products at the tribe’s medical marijuana superstore, which cost over $50 million to establish and is expected to open in the coming weeks. Once open, it will be the only location in North Carolina where any form of marijuana can be legally purchased.

Last month members of 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 or have a qualifying medical marijuana condition.
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