May 09 2025

Group Behind Oklahoma Marijuana Legalization Initiative to Begin Signature Gathering as Soon as August 15, or by Fall

The group spearheading a new recreational marijuana legalization initiative in Oklahoma says it could begin collecting signatures as early as August 15, but the timeline may be pushed to the fall if the measure is legally challenged.

Oklahomans for Responsible Cannabis Action (ORCA), the organization behind the proposal known as State Question 837, filed the measure with the Secretary of State earlier this year with the goal of placing it on the 2026 general election ballot. The initiative would legalize marijuana for adults 21 and older, while also including expansive protections in areas like housing, employment, healthcare access, and firearm ownership for legal cannabis users.

Jed Green, spokesperson for ORCA, told The Marijuana Herald that the initiative is currently in its first open challenge period, which runs through July 7. During this period, any Oklahoma resident can challenge the constitutionality of the measure.
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May 08 2025

New Mexico’s Cannabis Industry Generated $48.6 Million in Sales in April, Nearly $200 Million in 2025

Licensed marijuana retailers in New Mexico generated over $48 million in sales in April, according to new data released by the state’s Regulation and Licensing Department.

The $48,600,064 in marijuana and marijuana products sold in April brings the state’s 2025 total for the first four months of the year to around $190 million. There was a total of 1,166,314 cannabis transactions in April, and over 3.6 million so far in 2025.

All-time cannabis sales in New Mexico is now $1,694,031,912 spread across 37,851,826 transactions. $1,197,514,538 was adult-use sales, with medical sales making up $496,517,397 of the total.
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May 08 2025

Psilocybin May Treat Symptoms of Bipolar II Depression Without Triggering Mania or Psychosis, Says Study

A study published recently from researchers at the University of Toronto and McMaster University finds that psilocybin, a psychedelic compound found in magic mushrooms, may safely reduce symptoms of depression in patients with Bipolar II disorder without triggering mania or psychosis.

Dried psilocybin.

Published in the journal Psychedelic Medicine and epulbished by the U.S. National Library of Medicine, the study focused on four adults with treatment-resistant depression (TRD) associated with Bipolar II disorder (BD-II). Participants underwent one or two guided psilocybin sessions, each involving a 25-milligram dose, accompanied by structured preparatory and integration psychotherapy.

At the start of the trial, participants had an average score of 32.5 on the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), indicating severe depression. Within two weeks of the first dose, that average score dropped to 20.3. Two weeks after a second dose, it further declined to 19. By the end of the six-month follow-up, the average score remained lower than baseline at 21.3, suggesting sustained symptom relief.
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May 08 2025

Arizona Marijuana Tax Revenue Nears $100 Million in First Four Months of 2025

Arizona generated over $22.4 million in marijuana tax revenue in April, pushing the state’s total for the first four months of 2025 to nearly $98 million, according to data released today by the Arizona Department of Revenue.

Although April’s total dipped slightly compared to March’s $24.2 million, marijuana continues to bring in tens of millions in monthly revenue, with tax earnings above $20 million for the 43rd straight month.

From January through April 2025, Arizona has collected $97,588,798 in total marijuana tax revenue. That includes $26 million in January, $25 million in February, and $24.2 million in March. Adult-use marijuana consistently makes up the largest share, particularly through the 16% excise tax on recreational marijuana and the state’s Transaction Privilege Tax (TPT).
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May 08 2025

Oral Cannabinoid Formulation Outperforms Prescription Drug Pregabalin in Neuropathic Pain Relief in New Study

A newly published study has found that an oral cannabinoid formulation was more effective than the prescription drug pregabalin in alleviating chronic neuropathic pain in an animal model, while also reducing inflammation and oxidative stress.

Researchers from Birla Institute of Technology and Science Pilani, Delhi Pharmaceutical Sciences & Research University, and the University of Delhi evaluated four cannabinoid formulations (F1 to F4) in a rat model of chronic sciatic nerve injury. The study, published in the journal Neurological Research, aimed to explore the therapeutic potential and mechanisms behind these formulations.

The 21-day study involved 35 male Wistar rats divided into seven groups. All groups except the control underwent a sciatic nerve ligation procedure to simulate chronic pain. The cannabinoid formulations, dissolved in MCT oil, were administered orally at varying concentrations (F1: 500 mg to F4: 3000 mg), with pregabalin serving as the reference drug.
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May 08 2025

Federally Funded Study Finds Cannabis May Help Heavy Drinkers Reduce Alcohol Cravings and Consumption

A new study funded by the National Institutes of Health found that cannabis use may reduce alcohol cravings and intake among heavy drinkers.

Researchers from Colorado State University and the University of Colorado conducted a controlled laboratory study with 62 adult participants who regularly use both alcohol and marijuana. The goal was to explore how cannabis use affects alcohol consumption, particularly in the context of legal access to marijuana.

Participants completed two sessions: in one, they consumed an initial alcoholic drink and could choose to have up to four more; in the other, they first used cannabis before being given the same opportunity to drink. The study found that participants who consumed cannabis before drinking self-administered fewer drinks and reported reduced cravings for alcohol compared to sessions without cannabis.
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May 07 2025

Oklahoma: $40 Million in Medical Marijuana Taxes Garnered From $575 Million in Sales So Far in Fiscal Year 2025

Oklahoma brought in $40.2 million in taxes from over $575 million in medical marijuana sales between July 1, 2024, and April 30, 2025, according to new data released by the state’s Medical Marijuana Authority.

With the tax rate set at 7%, the $40,269,697 in revenue corresponds to $575,281,386 in total sales over the 10-month period. The figure highlights the ongoing strength of Oklahoma’s medical marijuana market, which remains one of the nation’s most active in the nation despite seeing patient numbers decline for several straight months.

In April alone, medical marijuana sales reached $55,895,029, generating $3,912,652 in tax revenue. That marks one of the strongest months of the fiscal year so far.
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May 07 2025

PA Senate Law & Justice Committee Chair Declares Marijuana Bill “DOA” in Current Form

Just minutes after the Pennsylvania House gave final approval to HB 1200, a proposal to legalize recreational cannabis, the chair of a key Senate committee made clear the bill stands no chance, at least in its current form.

Senator Dan Laughlin, who serves as chair of the Senate Law and Justice Committee, took to social media this afternoon to double down on his opposition to the House-approved measure, which would legalize marijuana and establish state-run retail outlets.

In a post that included a photo of himself with a bold message, Laughlin said, “There is zero chance that the state store model will make it through the Senate. That idea is DOA!”
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May 07 2025

New York Budget Eliminates $229,000 Salary for Cannabis Control Board Chair

The newly adopted New York state budget eliminates the $229,000 annual salary of Tremaine Wright, chair of the Office of Cannabis Management’s Cannabis Control Board, a move that comes amid ongoing struggles with the rollout of the state’s legal marijuana industry.

The change was inserted into the budget bill without public debate. While the reason for the salary cut remains unclear, it’s notable given the rarity of such high salaries for state board positions. The board’s four other members only receive $260 stipends for attending meetings or official events.

Wright, a former Brooklyn Assemblymember appointed chair in 2021 by Governor Kathy Hochul, has not commented on the change.
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May 07 2025

Bill to Make Pennsylvania 25th Legal Marijuana State Given Final Approval by House, Sent to Senate

The Pennsylvania House of Representatives has given final approval to House Bill 1200, officially sending the measure to the state’s Senate.

HB 1200 would allow those 21 and older to legally purchase marijuana and marijuana products from state-licensed retailers overseen by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board. The system mirrors the state’s liquor model, including the creation of Pennsylvania Cannabis Stores. Adults would also be allowed to grow up to two mature and two immature plants at home with a permit.

Under the proposed law, individuals could possess or buy up to 42.524 grams of dried flower, up to five grams of cannabis concentrate, and up to 500 milligrams of THC in other cannabis products per day. A combination of products is allowed so long as the overall amounts remain within these thresholds.
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