Jun 05 2023

Louisiana Marijuana Expungement Bill Passed by Legislature, Sent to Governor

Louisiana’s full legislature has passed legislation that would allow for the quick expungement (removal from records) of convictions related to marijuana possession.

Louisiana’s Senate voted yesterday to pass House Bill 286, less than two weeks after it was passed by the House of Representatives in a 69 to 30 vote. Given it was passed by the Senate sans amendments, the proposal will now be sent to Governor John Bel Edwards for consideration.

If signed into law or allowed to become law without a signature, House Bill 286 would allow those with a misdemeanor conviction for marijuana possession to file a motion to expunge the charge 90 days following their conviction. First-time offenders would be exempt from processing fees.
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Jun 05 2023

Illinois: $132 Million in Legal Marijuana Sold in May, Year-to-Date Total Almost $650 Million

According to data released by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, the state sold over $130 million worth of legal marijuana and marijuana products in May

In May, there was $132,777,299.46 in legal marijuana purchased in Illinois. Of this, $100 million was purchased by those living in Illinois, with the remaining $32.7 million sold to out-of-state residents. This brings the year-to-date total to $647,984,773, putting the state on track to top well more than $1 billion for 2023.

The $132 million sold in May is a slight increase from the $131 million sold in April, but a slight decrease from the $134 million sold in March.
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Jun 05 2023

Study: Marijuana Use Associated With Lower Risk of Liver Steatosis (aka Fatty Liver Disease)

According to a new study published by the journal PLOS One, adults with a history of marijuana use are less likely than non-users to be diagnosed with liver steatosis (aka fatty liver disease).

The study “aimed to assess the association between marijuana use and liver steatosis and fibrosis in the general United States population utilizing data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).

For the study a total of 2622 participants were included. The proportions of never marijuana users, past users, and current users were 45.9%, 35.0%, and 19.1%, respectively.
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Jun 05 2023

Poll: 70% in Louisiana Support Ending Marijuana Prohibition

An overwhelming majority of adults in Louisiana support ending the state’s prohibition on recreational marijuana, according to new polling.

According to the poll, conducted by the Reilly Center for Media & Public Affairs at Louisiana State University, 70% of respondents say they support ending the prohibition on possessing “small amounts” of marijuana. This marks an almost 30% increase from the 42% support the move had in 2013.

When it comes to medical marijuana, support is even higher, with 90% of Louisiana adults saying they support legal medical marijuana
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Jun 02 2023

New York Bill Would Allow Marijuana Businesses to Take Tax Deductions

Legislation filed today in the New York Senate would allow marijuana businesses that are legal under state law to take tax deductions that they otherwise would be able to take if they weren’t considered to be federally illegal entities.

New York Senate Bill 7508 would alter the state’s existing tax code to allow marijuana businesses to take deductions for an amount equal to the deductions that were disallowed under Section 280E of the Internal Revenue Code for the taxable year. Section 280E explicitly disallows businesses that are illegal under federal law, even if they’re legal under state law, from taking standard tax deductions.

Senate Bill 7508 was filed by Senator Luis Sepulveda, and has been referred to the Senate Rules Committee.
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Jun 01 2023

California Assembly Passes Bill to Allow Marijuana Cafes

California’s full Assembly has voted to pass legislation that allows marijuana consumption lounges/cafes that can serve freshly made food and beverages (including marijuana-infused products) and host live events.

California’s Assembly voted 64 to 9 to pass Assembly Bill 374, filed by Assembly Member Matt Haney. The proposal now goes to the Senate for consideration.

“Cannabis cafes in the Netherlands capitalize on the social experience of cannabis by offering coffee, food, and live music, all of those opportunities are currently illegal under California law,” said Haney in a press release. “AB 374 will allow struggling cannabis businesses to diversity away from the marijuana-only ‘dispensary’ model and bring much needed tourist dollars into empty downtowns.”
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Jun 01 2023

New Mexico: $47 Million in Legal Marijuana Sold in May, Over 1 Million Transactions

There was $47 million in legal marijuana sold in May in New Mexico.

According to the New Mexico Regulation & Licensing Department, there was $47.7 million in total marijuana sales in May, coming from 1,013,476 different transactions. This is more than the $46.07 million sold in April, and identical to the $47.7 million sold in March. 

Of the $47.7 million sold, $15,399,985.91 came from medical marijuana sales, with the remaining $32,359,270.41 being from the distribution of recreational marijuana.
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Jun 01 2023

$75 Million in Legal Marijuana Sold in Nevada in March, $634 Million During Current Fiscal Year

Legal marijuana stores in Nevada sold over $75 million in legal marijuana and marijuana products in March.

There was $75,023,166 in marijuana sold in May, according to data released by the Nevada Department of Taxation. This is an over 10% increase from the $67 million sold in February.  The state garnered $12,288,541 in taxes from the $75 million in marijuana sold. This is a roughly $1.7 million increase from February, and a $300k increase from January.

Of the $75 million sold in January, a large majority came from Clark County with $57 million, with the second highest being Washoe County at $10.4 million.
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Jun 01 2023

Study: Low-Dose CBD as Effective as Melatonin in Improving Sleep

The daily use just 15mgs of CB improves sleep quality in patients with a history of sleep disturbances, according to a clinical trial published in the Journal of the American Nutrition Association.

The study was conducted by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh, the University of Maryland School of Medicine, the University of California LA and Scripps Clinic Sleep Center. The study was published online ahead of print by the US National Library of Medicine.

For the study 1.793 participants experiencing symptoms of sleep disturbance were randomly assigned to receive a 4-week supply of 1 of 6 products (all capsules) containing either 15 mg CBD or 5 mg melatonin, alone or in combination with minor cannabinoids. Sleep disturbance was assessed over a period of 5 weeks (baseline week and 4 weeks of product use) using Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS™) Sleep Disturbance SF 8A, administered via weekly online surveys.
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Jun 01 2023

Colorado Governor Signs Bill Banning Denial of Professional Licenses Over Marijuana Charges

Colorado Governor Jared Polis has signed legislation into law that prevents a denial of professional licenses and certifications based solely on a civil or criminal judgement regarding the consumption, possession, cultivation, or processing of marijuana.

Senate Bill 265 was sent to Governor Polis last month after passing the Senate 32 to 1 and the House 49 to 13. The legislation was filed by Senator Kevin Van Winkle along with a bipartisan coalition of 17 cosponsors.

According to its official summary, the bill “prohibits regulators within the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) from denying applications for licensure, certification, or registration, or taking disciplinary action against a licensee, certificate holder, or registrant, based solely on a civil or criminal judgement regarding the consumption, possession, cultivation, or processing of marijuana.”
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