Apr 12 2023

Bipartisan Group of Lawmakers in Maine File Measure for Automatic Marijuana Expungements

A bipartisan group of lawmakers in Maine have filed legislation that would lead to the automatic expungement of thousands of past marijuana convictions and would allow for those in prison to be resentenced.

House Bill 1646 was filed today in the House of Representatives with 11 sponsors led by State Representative David Boyer. It was quickly assigned to the Judiciary Committee and “Sent for concurrence”.

Under the proposed law, “All arrests, convictions and adjudications for possession of cannabis are deemed vacated and the records of those arrests, convictions and adjudications must be expunged.” Those currently serving jailtime for marijuana-related offenses would be allowed to submit a resentencing petition.
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Apr 12 2023

Report: Legal Marijuana Industry Supports 417,493 Full-Time Jobs in the US

Despite marijuana remaining illegal in much of the country, the legal marijuana industry in the United States supports over 417k full-time equivalent jobs.

According to a new report by Vangst, a leading marijuana industry jobs platform, there are now 417,493 full-time equivalent jobs supported by the legal cannabis industry in the US. This is roughly on par with the number of full-time jobs in 2022.

Key findings from the 2023 Vangst Cannabis Jobs Report include:
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Apr 12 2023

Marijuana-Infused Spirit Launches in Over 35 States

Marijuana-infused spirit Nowadays is now available in more than 35 states.

Today Nowadays launches as “the first nationally available cannabis-infused spirit”, available in Low Dose and Micro Dose THC varieties.

According to a press release, “Nowadays delivers a light and buzzy experience in a familiar format 750ml Bottle.” The brand was developed to “bridge the gap between non-alcoholic and alcoholic products, creating the perfect middle ground to achieve a social buzz without negative after-effects.” Crafted in a bottle that fits in on any bar cart, Nowadays is intended for consumption in a similar fashion to alcohol.
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Apr 12 2023

$250 Million in Legal Marijuana Sold in Michigan in March, New Monthly Record

There was roughly $250 million in legal marijuana sold in Michigan in March, the highest single-month since the start of legal recreational marijuana sales in late 2019.

In total Michigan marijuana stores sold $249,674,216 worth of marijuana and marijuana products in March, according to the Cannabis Regulatory Agency Monthly Report. This marks a roughly 15% increase from the month prior, and a 62% increase from March, 2022. Sales to date for Michigan now stand at $4,584,332,783.06, and the current average cost per ounce is $86.87.

Of the roughly $250 million in legal marijuana sold in Michigan in March, $239 million was from the sale of recreational marijuana, with $9.8 million coming from medical marijuana sales.
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Apr 12 2023

City of Cleveland, Ohio Files Motion to Expunge Over 4,000 Marijuana Records

Last week Cleveland Mayor Justin M. Bibb joined Chief Prosecutor Aqueelah Jordan and Council President Blaine Griffin to file motions to expunge 4,077 records of marijuana convictions.

The motions filed at the Justice Center wipe records dating back to 2017 for misdemeanor marijuana possession cases of 20 grams or less under Cleveland Codified Ordinance 607.02. There are also cases under Cleveland Codified Ordinance 607.03, with a weight limit of up to 200 grams, included in the requests.

“Today, we are moving forward with clearing the names of over 4,000 residents who deserve a fresh start,” said Mayor Bibb stated. “This is just one way we can make progress on criminal justice reform to balance the scales and remove barriers to employment and re-entry.”
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Apr 11 2023

Colorado Garnered $23 Million in Taxes From Legal Marijuana in March, Total Nears $2.5 Billion

Colorado made $23 million in marijuana taxes in March according to data released today by the Colorado Department of Revenue.

In total the state made $23,101,036 in taxes from the legal marijuana industry. This is roughly on par with, albeit slightly less than, the $24.7 million sold in February. However it is more than the $22.3 million in legal marijuana tax revenue for January.

Colorado’s year-to-date total for marijuana taxes is now $70.2 million. The total since the start of legal sales in 2014 now stands at $2.46 billion.
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Apr 11 2023

Pilot Study Finds “CBD is Effective for Reducing Seizure Frequency and Anxiety Symptoms”

According to a pilot study published by the journal Biological Psychiatry, the marijuana compound cannabidiol (CBD) “is effective for reducing seizure frequency and anxiety symptoms, with most patients showing reductions over time.”

Conducted by researchers from Wayne State University and the Children’s Hospital of Michigan, the study is titled Effects of Cannabidiol Treatment on Anxiety, Seizure Frequency, and Plasma Endocannabinoid Concentrations in Pediatric Epilepsy Patients: A Pilot Study.

The study notes that CBD, specifically Epidiolex, is FDA-approved for the treatment of epilepsy in children and adults. However, “the mechanism of CBD in the treatment of epilepsy is not entirely clear.” With that in mind, for this study the “impact of CBD treatment on anxiety and endocannabinoid signaling, in individuals with or without epilepsy” is examined.
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Apr 11 2023

WA Legislature Votes to Approve Psilocybin (Magic Mushrooms) Bill

Washington State’s full legislature has now voted in favor of establishing a task force and pilot program for the therapeutic and medical use of psilocybin, the psychedelic compound found in magic mushrooms.

Washington’s House of Representatives voted 87 to 10 today to pass Senate Bill 5263 through its third and final reading. The vote comes a little over a month after the Senate voted 41 to 7 to send the measure to the House. Given it was amended in the House, it will need to receive a concurrence vote in the Senate before it can be sent to Governor Jay Inslee.

SB 5263 would establish a task force designed to research psilocybin and create a pathway to full legalization while establishing a pilot program for supervised psilocybin use for first responders and military veterans. The measure was filed by Senator Jesse Salomon along with a bipartisan coalition of 21 cosponsors.
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Apr 11 2023

Bill Banning Police from Using Marijuana Smell to Detain or Conduct Searches Passed by Maryland Legislature

Maryland’s full legislature has passed legislation that will prohibit police from using the smell of marijuana as reasonable suspicion or probable cause in order to detain an individual.

House Bill 1071 was filed by Delegate Charlotte Crutchfield along with 43 cosponsors. The proposal was passed by the House of Delegates 101 to 36, and was passed by the Senate unanimously, 27 to 0. This sends the measure to Governor Wes Moore, who is expected to sign it into law.

House Bill 1071 would prohibit “a law enforcement officer from initiating a stop or a search of a person, a motor vehicle, or a vessel based solely” on the smell of marijuana. The proposal would also reduce the fine associated with smoking marijuana in public (which remains a civil infraction even under the voter-approved legalization initiative) from $250 to $50 for a first offense, and from $500 to $150 for subsequent offenses.
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Apr 11 2023

Texas House Passes Bill to Add Chronic Pain as Medical Marijuana Condition and Replace THC Cap

A bill that would expand Texas’ medical marijuana program has been passed by the state’s full House of Representatives.

House Bill 1805, sponsored by Representative Stephanie Klick, was passed today by the house in an overwhelming 121 to 23 vote. This sends the measure to the Senate, with passage in the Senate sending it to Governor Greg Abbott for consideration.

House Bill 1805 would add chronic pain “for which a physician would otherwise prescribe an opioid” to the state’s list of medical ailments that qualify an individual to become a medical marijuana patient. The legislation would also replace the 1% cap on THC content by instead instituting a volumetric dose of 10mg.
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