Jun 09 2024

These 3 States Are Vying to Become the 26th Legal Marijuana State

New Hampshire is set to become the 25th legal marijuana state, marking the halfway point for the entire country. Meanwhile, three other states are competing to become the 26th, raising the possibility that we could end the year with 28 states having legalized recreational marijuana.

Many state legislatures have already adjourned for the year, with a handful having sessions that last throughout the entire year. With that in mind, it seems likely that any state nearing legalization via the legislative process —Hawaii, for example— won’t take action until 2025. However, three states are set to vote this November on initiatives that would legalize recreational marijuana.

Below is a breakdown of these three states:
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Jun 09 2024

The 5 Most Popular Sativa-Dominant Marijuana Strains in the US

In the legal marijuana market, there are hundreds of active marijuana strains (there’s 644 in Massachusetts alone), with many being sativa-dominant. Among the numerous options, a few stand out due to their widespread popularity.

Blue Dream (photo credit: Ry Prichard, The Cannabist).

Today, 24 states have legalized recreational marijuana, while 38 states permit medical marijuana use. These states generally feature flourishing legal markets with numerous licensed stores and dispensaries. Some marijuana strains have risen to national prominence, showcasing their lasting appeal.

Based on data from Leafly and multiple state regulatory agencies, here are the top 5 most popular marijuana strains across the U.S.:
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Jun 08 2024

Connecticut Board of Physicians Unanimously Approves Female Orgasmic Disorder and Autism as Qualifying Conditions for Medical Marijuana

A board of physicians in Connecticut has voted to add both female orgasmic disorder (FOD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) as qualifying medical marijuana conditions.

Connecticut’s Medical Marijuana Program Board of Physicians has unanimously approved two separate petitions to expand the state’s list of qualifying medical marijuana conditions to include FOD and ASD. Although recreational marijuana is legal in Connecticut, medical marijuana patients are allowed to possess twice as much (three ounces compared to1.5), and they can purchase marijuana and marijuana products tax-free.

The board’s recommendations will now be sent to Department of Consumer Protection Commissioner Bryan T. Cafferelli, who has final say on whether or not to officially add the two conditions to the medical marijuana program.
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Jun 08 2024

Maine: Over $20 Million in Legal Marijuana Sold in May, Nearly $100 Million for the Year

Maine marijuana sales topped $20 million in May for the first time this year.

According to data from the Maine Office of Cannabis Policy, marijuana sales reached $20,280,736 in May, marking a $1 million increase over the roughly $19 million sold in both March and April. May sales occurred across 381,148 transactions.

The average price per gram of dried marijuana in May increased slightly from last month’s all-time low of $7.18 to $7.41.
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Jun 08 2024

These 5 States Will Vote on Marijuana Initiatives in Just 5 Months

The November 2024 presidential election is just five months away. Here’s a look at the state’s that will be voting on marijuana legalization initiatives.

New Hampshire is set to become the 25th legal marijuana state, marking the halfway point for the entire country. This November, several states will be vying to tip the scale and make legal marijuana states the majority.

With that in mind, here are the five states that are either guaranteed to vote on marijuana legalization initiatives this November or are highly likely to do so.
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Jun 07 2024

Florida Governor Vetoes Bill to Ban Delta-8 THC and Other Hemp Compounds

Governor Ron DeSantis has vetoed legislation that would have banned hemp compounds such as Delta-8 THC.

Delta-8 THC gummies (photo credit: FloraCBD).

Governor DeSantis vetoed Senate Bill 1698 today, following sources last week that reported he would.  The proposed law would have limited the sale of hemp products containing Delta-9 THC while placing a complete ban on the production and sale of products containing Delta-8 and Delta-10 THC. Those in the hemp industry argued that if the bill passed, it would have devastated the industry and lead to thousands of job losses.

Florida’s Senate gave final approval to Senate Bill 1698 in a unanimous 39 to 0 vote, meaning they have well more than the two-thirds required to override a governor’s veto. However, the measure’s passage was much closer in the House of Representatives, with the final vote being 64 to 48. This means that it’s unlikely the legislature will override Governor DeSantis’ veto.
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Jun 07 2024

Dallas Lawmakers to File Marijuana Decriminalization Ordinance This Month

Dallas City Council member Chad West says he will soon file an ordinance that would decriminalize the personal possession of marijuana throughout the city.

Councilmember West’s ordinance, which will officially be filed during the June 26 meeting of the Dallas City Council, is being cosponsored by Councilmembers Adam Bazaldua, Jaime Resendez and Zarin Gracey. If the ordinance is approved by the council, it will be put to a vote of the people this November.

“Voters in our city and across the country want to decriminalize marijuana. Our already burdened police should focus their attention on serious crime, not arresting people with small amounts of marijuana”, said Councilmember West in a press release. “Bringing this to voters through a City Council-proposed Charter amendment instead of a petition will save the city time and resources.”
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Jun 07 2024

North Dakota Recreational Marijuana Initiative on Track for November Ballot with Over 50% of Signatures Gathered

Proponents of an initiative to legalize recreational marijuana in North Dakota have already gathered over half of the required signatures to make the November 2024 ballot.

In late April, North Dakota Secretary of State Michael Howe gave approval to the initiative, sponsored by the nonprofit political committee New Economic Frontier. This gave the group one year to collect 15,582 signatures from registered North Dakota voters in order to put their marijuana legalization measure to a vote. If the signatures are gathered by July 8, the initiative will be voted on this November. If signatures are collected after July 8 the measure would be placed on the 2025 general election ballot.

Now, the group says that they have collected and internally verified around 8,500 signatures, over 50% of the required amount. Given these were collected in just five weeks, the group says they’re “optimistic” that they can make this year’s presidential election ballot.
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Jun 07 2024

Ohio Now Accepting Applications for Recreational Marijuana Licenses, Sales to Begin This Month

The application process for medical marijuana dispensaries wanting to also sell recreational marijuana has officially been launched by the Ohio Department of Cannabis Control (DCC).

Starting today, the CCC is accepting applications that will allow recreational marijuana sales to begin as soon as this month.

“Pursuant to the initiated statute approved by Ohio voters in November 2023, the initial non-medical cannabis license applications are only open to current medical marijuana license holders”, states the new webpage, posted by the Ohio Department of Commerce. The page says that “Each current medical marijuana cultivator, processor, testing laboratory, and dispensary that wishes to participate in the non-medical cannabis market at their current location must apply for a dual-use cannabis license.”
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Jun 07 2024

Fox News Poll: 66% of Florida Voters Support Amendment 3 to Legalize Marijuana

According to new polling, a vast majority of voters in Florida support Amendment 3, an initiative to legalize recreational marijuana.

Amendment 3, which will be voted on this November, would allow individuals aged 21 and older to “possess, purchase, or use marijuana products and marijuana accessories for non-medical personal consumption by smoking, ingestion, or otherwise.” The proposed limits would permit possession of up to three ounces of dried marijuana flower and up to five grams of marijuana concentrates.

Licensed marijuana retail outlets would be authorized to distribute the plant, with existing state-licensed medical marijuana dispensaries also permitted to “acquire, cultivate, process, manufacture, sell, and distribute such products and accessories.”
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