Feb 07 2025

New Mexico Bill Would Require Cannabis Businesses With 10+ Employees to Sign Labor Peace Agreements

Legislation in New Mexico to mandate labor peace agreements for cannabis businesses with ten or more employees was filed today in the state’s House of Representatives.

Sponsored by State Representatives Andrea Romero (D), Javier Martínez (D), and Christine Chandler (D), House Bill 331 would require cannabis businesses in New Mexico with ten or more employees to enter into and abide by a labor peace agreement with a labor organization. Businesses with fewer than ten employees must commit to signing such an agreement within 60 days of hiring their tenth employee.

Under the proposed law, failure to comply could result in license suspension or revocation. The bill mandates compliance verification for license renewal starting September 1, 2025, with enforcement by state regulators.
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Feb 07 2025

On-Premise Cannabis Consumption Act Filed in Illinois Legislature

State Representative Justin Slaughter has introduced House Bill 3513, the On-Premise Cannabis Consumption Act, in the Illinois Legislature.

The bill, filed today, would allow counties and municipalities to issue licenses for temporary events and cannabis hospitality venues where marijuana consumption is permitted.

Under the proposed legislation, licensed events and venues could allow the consumption of cannabis and cannabis-infused products, as well as the sale of cannabis paraphernalia. Before any licenses can be issued, local governments would be required to adopt ordinances that establish specific regulations for these events and establishments. The bill also includes modifications to the Smoke Free Illinois Act to accommodate on-site marijuana use.
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Feb 07 2025

New Hampshire Legislation to Legalize Psilocybin Scheduled for Public Hearing on February 12

New Hampshire legislation to legalize psilocybin, which was initially scheduled for a public hearing February 6, is now scheduled for a hearing on February 12.

Dried psilocybin mushrooms (often referred to as “magic mushrooms”).

The hearing will take place in the House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee in Legislative Office Building 202-204, at 3:30pm. The hearing was initially set to take place on February 6, before being cancelled. Today, the measure was rescheduled.

Filed by State Representative Kevin Verville (R), House Bill 528 would legalize purchasing, possessing, transporting, sharing, and using psilocybin, for those 21 and older.
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Feb 07 2025

New Florida Bill Would Expand Medical Marijuana Program

Florida State Senator Joe Gruters (R) introduced Senate Bill 552 today, proposing significant amendments to the state’s medical marijuana laws.

Florida State Capitol.

The bill would expand the list of qualifying conditions for medical marijuana use, allowing patients with conditions similar to those already recognized to qualify, even if their specific diagnosis is not on the official list of conditions. It also includes patients who have any conditions that has led to them being prescribed an opioid classified as a Schedule II controlled substance.

Another key change in the bill is the authorization of telehealth for both initial and renewal medical marijuana evaluations (current law requires an initial in-person examination). If passed, this would allow patients to consult with qualified physicians remotely, increasing accessibility, particularly for those in rural areas or with mobility issues. SB 552 also proposes increasing the number of supply limits that a physician can issue in a single certification while adjusting the frequency with which physicians must evaluate patients.
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Feb 07 2025

Maine’s Legal Marijuana Market Generated $19 Million in Sales in January as Prices Reach New Low

Maine’s legal marijuana market started 2025 with over $19 million in sales, following a record-setting 2024 that saw more than $240 million worth of marijuana sold statewide.

In January 2025, licensed marijuana retailers in Maine recorded $19,131,915 in total sales across 368,788 transactions, according to data from the Maine Office of Cannabis Policy. Of that total, $10.7 million came from “usable marijuana” (flower, pre-rolls, and shake/trim), $5.4 million from concentrates, and $2.9 million from infused products such as edibles, beverages, and capsules. The average price per gram of dried flower stood at $7.07.

For comparison, 2024’s total marijuana sales reached $243,876,905, with more than 4.5 million transactions recorded. The average price per gram of dried flower throughout the year was $7.24.
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Feb 07 2025

Montana Marijuana Sales Top $25 Million in January, All-Time Sales Near $1 Billion

In January 2025, Montana’s legal marijuana market remained steady with over $25 million in sales, marking the 23rd consecutive month at or above that threshold.

There was $25,914,159 in marijuana sold legally in January in Montana, according to the state’s Department of Revenue. Recreational marijuana sales account for 86% of this total ($22,492,117), with medical marijuana sales making up the remaining $3,422,042. Sales figures include dried marijuana as well as a variety of marijuana products, including edibles, concentrates, prerolls, and topicals.

All-time marijuana sales in Montana now stand at $972,917,141, putting the state on track to cross the $1 billion mark in March.
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Feb 07 2025

Montana Resolution Endorsing Federal Marijuana Banking Act Approved Through Third and Final Reading in Senate

Yesterday, Montana’s Senate passed a resolution urging the federal government to enact the SAFER Banking Act into law through its second reading. Today, it was approved through its third and final reading, officially sending it to the House of Representatives.

The Senate approved Senate Joint Resolution 5 today through its third and final reading, a day after it was passed through its second reading. The measure will now be sent to the Montana House of Representatives. Approval in the House will allow the resolution to be enacted, as resolutions do not require approval from the governor, who also has no power to veto it.

The resolution calls on the federal government to pass the Secure and Fair Enforcement Regulation (SAFER) Banking Act, which would allow banks and credit unions to provide financial services to state-legal marijuana businesses, including debit card services and access to loans. The legislation would also enable marijuana businesses to claim standard IRS tax deductions.
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Feb 07 2025

The Top-Selling Cannabis Strain in Every Legal Marijuana State

Among the 21 states with operating recreational marijuana markets, hundreds of strains are available, but a few stand out in popularity.

Runtz.

Although 24 states have legalized recreational marijuana, three states do not have licensed marijuana store currently open: Delaware and Minnesota are expected to launch their markets later this year, and Virginia is the only legal marijuana state to not allow sales.

Using data from the research firm Headset, which tracks marijuana sales data throughout the U.S. and Canada, below is a list of the top-selling marijuana strains in every state with licensed recreational marijuana stores currently open for business. Continue reading

Feb 07 2025

Study: CBD Reduces Lung Damage in Blunt Chest Trauma

A study published in the European Journal of Trauma and Emergency Surgery found that cannabidiol (CBD) may help mitigate lung damage caused by pulmonary contusions resulting from blunt chest trauma.

Researchers conducted the study using an animal model, with rats divided into four groups: A control group, a trauma group, a group with trauma that consumed CBD, and a group that consumed CBD without any trauma.

The rats in the CBD treatment group received a single intraperitoneal dose of 5 mg/kg CBD 30 minutes before being subjected to a standardized chest trauma. Researchers then conducted histopathological, immunohistochemical, biochemical, and genetic analyses on the lung tissues.
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Feb 06 2025

New York Bill Filed to Eliminate Medical Marijuana Excise Tax and Trust Fund

Legislation to eliminate New York’s medical marijuana excise tax was filed today in the state’s Assembly.

New York Assembly Bill 4764 was introduced today by Assemblymember Crystal Peoples-Stokes, along with cosponsors Donna Lupardo, Andrew Hevesi, Karines Reyes, and Jo Anne Simon. The legislation has been referred to the Assembly Ways and Means Committee for consideration.

The bill seeks to repeal Section 490 of the state’s tax law, which imposes an excise tax on medical marijuana, as well as Section 89-h of the state finance law, which established the Medical Cannabis Trust Fund. If enacted, the measure would eliminate the excise tax on medical marijuana sales and dissolve the trust fund created to manage those tax revenues.
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