Mar 28 2025

Cannabigerol Inhibits Growth of Drug-Resistant Streptococcus iniae by Disrupting Cell Membranes

In a new study published by the journal Archives of Microbiology, the cannabis compound cannabigerol “inhibited the growth of S. iniae by disrupting the cell membrane.”

Evaluation of the antibacterial activity and mechanism of cannabigerol against drug-resistant Streptococcus iniae in vitro

Conducted by researchers from Sichuan Agricultural University, Sichuan University, and the Sichuan Aquatic Animal Disease Surveillance and Control Center, the study is titled Evaluation of the antibacterial activity and mechanism of cannabigerol against drug-resistant Streptococcus iniae in vitro.
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Mar 27 2025

Santa Cruz County Officials Approve Allowing Cannabis Lounges, Establish Pilot Program for Consumption and Sales at Local Farms

Santa Cruz County officials have given approval to on-site cannabis consumption at retail outlets, while also approving a 3-year pilot program allowing cannabis consumption and sales at local farms.

In a narrow 3 to 2 vote on Tuesday, the county Board of Supervisors finalized an ordinance allowing the county’s 11 cannabis retailers to offer dedicated spaces for customers to consume marijuana products. Additionally, the board approved the first read of a separate ordinance to launch a three-year pilot program allowing cannabis consumption and sales at local farms.

The farm-specific pilot program, which also passed by a 3 to 2 vote, will allow cannabis farms to sell and permit on-site consumption. This program prohibits use on private roads and bans visiting drivers from consuming cannabis products. Initially, sales at farms were limited to one-eighth of an ounce to prevent competition with traditional retailers, but the board reversed this limit in favor of the state’s one-ounce purchasing cap. To mitigate concerns about excessive buying, the program will require customers to make reservations for on-site consumption.
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Mar 27 2025

Iowa Committee Unanimously Approves Bill to Legalize Psilocybin for PTSD

A key committee in the Iowa House of Representatives has given approval to a bill that would legalize psilocybin for those with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The House Ways and Means Committee voted 23 to 0 today to pass House File 620, renumbering it as House File 978.

Sponsored by Representative John Wills (R), the measure would establish a regulated framework for the production and supervised administration of psilocybin, the psychoactive compound found in magic mushrooms. The program would be overseen by the Department of Health and Human Services.
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Mar 27 2025

Maine Lawmakers Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Protect Cannabis Workers’ Access to Credit

A bipartisan coalition of Maine legislators filed Senate Bill 1314 today, titled “An Act to Protect Cannabis Industry Workers’ Access to Personal Credit.”

The bill, filed by 10 members of the Maine House and Senate, would prevent financial discrimination against individuals employed in the state’s cannabis sector, ensuring that cannabis industry workers are not denied credit solely due to their employment. The proposal has been assigned to the Senate and House Health Coverage, Insurance and Finance Services Committees.

Under the proposed legislation, creditors cannot refuse or cancel credit cards or deny credit applications based on a person’s status as an owner, operator, employee of a cannabis establishment, or as a registered caregiver under Maine’s Medical Use of Cannabis Act. This protection applies unless federal law explicitly prohibits such actions.
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Mar 27 2025

New Jersey Assembly Committee Advances Bill to Expand Labor Rights for Cannabis Workers

The New Jersey Assembly Labor Committee has voted 5 to 1 to advance Assembly Bill 4182, a measure to expand labor rights for cannabis industry workers.

Sponsored by Assemblymembers Wayne DeAngelo (D) and Reginald Atkins (D) and filed in April 2024, the legislation would grant cannabis employees protections similar to those enjoyed by other private-sector workers under federal and state labor laws.

Currently, certain cannabis employees—particularly those working for licensed cultivators—lack safeguards against unfair labor practices due to their exclusion from the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA). AB 4182 closes this gap by empowering the New Jersey State Board of Mediation to oversee labor relations within the cannabis industry. This includes preventing unfair labor practices and ensuring collective bargaining rights.
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Mar 27 2025

Massachusetts Inspector General Finds “Poor Management” At Cannabis Control Commission Resulted In Failure To Collect Nearly $2 Million in Fees

Massachusetts’ Inspector General is advising the Cannabis Control Commission to conduct an audit after an investigation found that the agency did not collect nearly $2 million in fees over a two-year period.

In a letter sent today, Inspector General Jeffrey S. Shapiro advised the Executive Director and the Acting Chair of Cannabis Control Commission to conduct an audit to confirm that licensees have paid all applicable fees, after an OIG investigation found that the agency did not collect approximately $550,000 in prorated license fees and up to $1.2 million in potential provisional licensing fees from August 2022 to August 2024.

“I recognize that neither of you held leadership positions at the CCC during that two-year period, but as the CCC’s current leaders you must definitively act on the recommendations in this letter,” IG Shapiro said. “Our investigation did not find any suggestion of fraud, but it did reveal an egregious operational breakdown that underscores the need for statutory reform. We are pleased to learn that the CCC has recently worked to update the agency’s payment systems and has begun to recoup previously uncollected fees. It is still important to perform an audit to ensure that all current licensees have paid all applicable fees and fully understand what revenue went uncollected, as businesses ceased operations.”
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Mar 27 2025

Study Finds CBD May Help Manage Jaw Pain from Temporomandibular Disorders

A new study published in the journal Pharmaceutics suggests that cannabidiol (CBD) may offer relief for people suffering from temporomandibular disorders (TMDs)—a group of conditions causing pain and dysfunction in the jaw joint and surrounding muscles.

Researchers from the Medical University of Silesia in Poland conducted a comprehensive review of studies from 2007 to 2024, analyzing CBD’s potential role in managing TMD symptoms. Their findings highlight CBD’s ability to reduce pain, inflammation, and muscle tension through its interactions with the body’s endocannabinoid system.

According to the study, CBD appears to work by modulating CB1 and CB2 receptors, which are part of the endocannabinoid system responsible for regulating pain and inflammation. It also reduces the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and affects neurotransmitter pathways involved in pain perception.
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Mar 27 2025

Study: CBD-Rich Cannabis Extract Outperforms Hydrocortisone in Reducing Skin Inflammation

According to a new study published in the journal Pharmaceuticals, CBD-rich cannabis extract may be more effective than hydrocortisone in reducing inflammation caused by atopic dermatitis (AD), also known as eczema.

Conducted by researchers from the University of Warsaw and the Polish Academy of Sciences, the study highlights CBD’s potential as a promising alternative to traditional steroid treatments.

The researchers induced dermatitis in rats using 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) and compared the effects of a 2% CBD ointment with a 1% hydrocortisone ointment. The results showed that the CBD extract had a stronger anti-inflammatory effect, particularly in reducing skin swelling (edema). Interestingly, while hydrocortisone reduced scratching behavior, the CBD ointment did not alleviate itching.
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Mar 27 2025

Minnesota Lawmakers Introduce New Bill to Establish Psilocybin Therapeutic Use Program

A group of five Minnesota lawmakers led by State Representative Andrew Smith (D) introduced House Bill 2906 today, marking another step toward expanding access to psychedelic-assisted therapies in the state.

The bill has been referred to the House Health Finance and Policy Committee for consideration. The measure was filed just a few days after a group of eight lawmakers introduced House Bill 2699, which would decriminalize the personal use, cultivation, and possession of psilocybin while establishing a Psychedelic Medicine Board.

House Bill 2906 would establish a state-sanctioned program for the research and therapeutic use of psychedelics, including psilocybin. The measure would direct the Department of Health to develop guidelines for administering psychedelics in controlled medical environments, focusing on treating conditions such as PTSD, depression, and substance use disorders. The bill also outlines funding for clinical research and establishes safety protocols for psychedelic therapy sessions.
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Mar 26 2025

Ohio Marijuana Sales Top $600 Million Since Launch of Recreational Market on August 7

Licensed marijuana stores and dispensaries in Ohio have generate over $600 million in total sales since August 7, the first day of recreational sales.

According to data released today by the Ohio Division of Cannabis Control, total marijuana sales between August 7 and March 22 reached $608,511,077, including $405,073,581 in recreational sales and $203,437,496 in medical sales.

Since August, there have been 5,511,276 recreational cannabis transactions and 2,164,588 medical transactions.
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