May 02 2025

California to Raise Marijuana Excise Tax to 19% on July 1

California’s marijuana industry is sounding the alarm over a looming tax hike, but state officials say the increase is moving forward regardless.

The California Department of Tax and Fee Administration has confirmed that the state’s cannabis excise tax rate will rise from 15% to 19% on July 1. The 26% increase is the maximum allowed under current law and was announced Thursday during a cannabis advisory committee meeting.

The tax hike was triggered automatically due to a decline in cannabis excise revenue. Industry leaders blame the drop on mounting taxes, persistent competition from the illicit market, and costly regulatory burdens that have forced many licensed businesses to shut their doors.
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May 02 2025

Oregon Marijuana Sales Reach $304 Million in 2025, With $78 Million in April, as Prices Reach New Lows

Oregon licensed marijuana retailers sold $78,752,467 worth of marijuana and marijuana products in April, pushing the year-to-date total to $304 million.

According to data released today by the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission, “usable marijuana”—primarily dried flower—accounted for the largest share of April sales at $34.5 million, representing 43% of the monthly total. Concentrates followed with $20.4 million in sales, while edibles and tinctures made up $11.2 million. “Inhalable products with non-cannabis additives” brought in $7.7 million, and products classified as “other” reached $4.3 million.

April’s cannabis sales were nearly identical to the $78,444,557 sold in March. In February, cannabis sales were $70,970,282, following $76,262,002 sold in January. This bring 2025’s total to $304,429,308.
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May 02 2025

A Breakdown of Over 80 Cannabis-Related Studies Published in 2025

From cancer and chronic pain to epilepsy, autism, and metabolic disorders, dozens of peer-reviewed studies published in 2025 have added to the growing body of evidence supporting the therapeutic value of cannabis and its constituents.

Researchers across the globe have examined cannabinoids like CBD, THC, CBG, THCV, and even lesser-known compounds, uncovering potential benefits in treating a wide range of conditions. The studies, all -eer-reviewed, also explored innovative delivery systems—from nanoformulations to microneedle patches—and investigated cannabis’s impact on sleep, mental health, inflammation, and more, signaling continued momentum in cannabis science and its integration into modern medicine.

With that in mind, below are over 80 of the top cannabis studies published so far in 2025.
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May 02 2025

Study: Cannabis Use May Reduce Risk of HIV Drug Resistance Mutations

Cannabis use may help lower the risk of developing drug-resistant HIV mutations, according to a new study published in NeuroImmune Pharmacology and Therapeutics.

Researchers from Temple University and the University of Florida analyzed data from 614 HIV-positive adults, using records from the National NeuroAIDS Tissue Consortium. All participants had at least one viral load measurement in both plasma and cerebrospinal fluid, along with urinalysis for substance use and drug resistance testing.

The study found that individuals who tested positive for cannabis use had significantly lower odds of carrying antiretroviral drug resistance mutations (ARV-DRM). Specifically, cannabis users had an odds ratio of just 0.189 for developing ARV-DRM compared to non-users. This association held even after adjusting for demographic factors and other drug use.
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May 02 2025

Study: Over 8% of Australians Use Marijuana Recreationally, With Nearly 3% Using Medically

Over 8% of Australians report using marijuana recreationally, with nearly 3% saying they use it for medical reasons or both medical and recreational purposes, according to new national survey data.

Published in the journal Drug and Alcohol Review, the study examined responses from the 2022/2023 National Drug Strategy Household Survey to estimate the prevalence of different cannabis use motives in Australia.

According to the findings, 1% of Australians use marijuana solely for medical purposes, while 1.9% use it for both medical and recreational reasons. Recreational-only use remains significantly more common, reported by 8.6% of the population.
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May 02 2025

Florida’s Medical Marijuana Patient Count Climbs Past 911,000

Florida’s medical marijuana program continues its steady expansion, with the number of registered patients now surpassing 911,000.

According to data released today by the Florida Department of Health, there are 911,957 active medical marijuana patients in the state as of May 2. That represents an increase of more than 11,000 since the start of 2025 and over 30,000 more than were registered on the same date last year.

Florida remains the largest state in the U.S. with a medical-only marijuana market. Patients who receive physician approval are allowed to purchase marijuana products—including dried flower, tinctures, concentrates and edibles—from licensed dispensaries operating across the state. The state’s medical marijuana law was enacted following voter approval in 2016.
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May 01 2025

Nebraska Committee Advances Bill That Would Undercut Voter-Approved Medical Marijuana Legalization

A Nebraska legislative committee has given approval to legislation that would significantly narrow the scope of a medical marijuana legalization initiative approved by voters in November.

The measure, passed Thursday by the General Affairs Committee in a 5 to 3 vote, imposes restrictions that go beyond what was outlined in the citizen-backed initiative.

The bill limits access to patients with only 15 specific medical conditions, excluding PTSD and several other commonly cited uses. It also bans smoking marijuana, despite the initiative allowing possession of up to five ounces of flower. Under the bill, patients would be restricted to edibles, tinctures, vapes, and a limited selection of non-smokable flower products.
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May 01 2025

Maine Lawmakers Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Support Sun-Grown Marijuana Cultivation

A bipartisan group of Maine lawmakers filed a bill today to establish a separate regulatory pathway for sun-grown marijuana cultivation, with licensing fees significantly lower than those for indoor growers.

The legislation, titled An Act Regarding Sun-grown Cultivation in the Medical Use and Adult Use Cannabis Industries, is sponsored by Representative Grayson Osher (D) and cosponsored by a diverse mix of Republicans and Democrats from both legislative chambers. The proposal has been referred to the Committee on Veterans and Legal Affairs.

If enacted, the bill would officially define “sun-grown cultivation” and “sun-grown cultivator” in state law, applying to those who grow marijuana outdoors using sunlight as the primary light source and limited electricity. The proposal includes increased plant count and canopy allowances for these cultivators, along with new registration fee structures tailored to outdoor operations.
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May 01 2025

Study: Newly Discovered Cannabinoids From Cannabis Flowers Show Antitumor Potential Against Neuroblastoma

Newly discovered cannabinoids isolated from marijuana flowers were found to inhibit the growth of neuroblastoma cells, according to a new peer-reviewed study published in the journal Pharmaceuticals.

Researchers in South Korea have discovered two previously unidentified cannabinoids and a set of chlorin-type metabolites in marijuana flowers that may hold promise in treating neuroblastoma, a type of cancer that develops from immature nerve cells.

The study involved a chemical analysis of Cannabis sativa flowers, which led to the isolation of eleven distinct compounds using various chromatography techniques. Of these, eight were identified as cannabinoids, including two that had not been reported in scientific literature before: cannabielsoxa and 132-hydroxypheophorbide c ethyl ester.
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May 01 2025

Massachusetts Marijuana Sales Top $558 Million Through First Four Months of 2025

Massachusetts has sold over half a billion dollars’ worth of marijuana so far this year, with adult-use sales alone bringing in more than $515 million through April 27.

According to data from the state’s Cannabis Control Commission, recreational marijuana sales totaled $133.3 million in January, $122.8 million in February, $136.5 million in March, and $122.7 million during the first 27 days of April.

Medical marijuana sales added another $43.7 million during that same period, including $11.7 million in January, $10 million in February, $12 million in March, and $10 million in April.
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