Aug 30 2023

North Carolina Lawmakers Will Continue Fighting for Marijuana Legalization in 2024 Session

Sponsors of legislation to legalize recreational marijuana in the North Carolina plan to continue their support in the next session and beyond.

Senate Bill 346, a measure to legalize marijuana, was filed in March by Senator Graig Meyer. By the following month it had seven sponsors, representing almost 15% of the entire Senate. A companion measure (House Bill 626) was filed in April by State Representative Johnnie Autry with three cosponsors. It quickly garnered 10 additional sponsors, representing over 10% of the entire 120-member House of Representatives.

The companion bills would legalize the possession of up to two ounces of marijuana for those 21 and older, as well as the possession of up to 15 grams of marijuana concentrates and marijuana edibles with up to 2,000 milligrams of THC. The personal cultivation of up to six marijuana plants would also be allowed.
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Aug 30 2023

Supreme Court Judge Puts Hold on All Marijuana Licenses in New York

In yet another setback for the legal marijuana industry in New York, a state Supreme Court judge has put a hold on all marijuana licenses.

Marijuana was legalized in New York in 2021, with state lawmakers and officials declaring that the first batch of licenses for marijuana retail outlets would be reserved for small nonprofit organizations and “justice-impacted individuals” who have been negatively impacted by the war on drugs.

Earlier this month a group of military veterans sued the state claiming that this approach is unconstitutional and violates their rights given they are not eligible for the initial licenses.
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Aug 30 2023

St. Cloud State University in Minnesota Offering Certificate Courses in Marijuana Education

Minnesota recently legalized recreational marijuana, and now a new course at St. Cloud State University could help those wanting to take part in the new industry.

The 24-week certificate courses being offered by St. Cloud makes them the first in Minnesota to ever offer marijuana certificates. The program, with the tagline “Become an Industry Leader”, is being offered as part of a partnership with Green  Flower, a marijuana training company located in California. Industry experts will serve as instructors for the course.

There are currently four courses being offered:
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Aug 29 2023

Canada Marijuana Exports Increased 50% in Fiscal Year 2022-23 Compared to Previous Year

Canada exported 50% more marijuana in the most recent fiscal year than it did in the prior fiscal year, according to data released by Health Canada and first reported by MJBizDaily.

In fiscal year 2022-23 Canada shipped CA$160 million ($118 million) worth of marijuana and marijuana products overseas. This is a substantial increase over the CA$107 million sold during the previous fiscal year, and a 310% increase over the $39 million exported in fiscal year 2020-21.

Canada’s federal government fiscal year runs April 1 through March 31. The 2019-20 fiscal year is the first year Health Canada published export data, with $8 million in marijuana exported.
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Aug 29 2023

Alabama Judge Extends Moratorium on Medical Marijuana Licenses

A circuit judge in Montgomery County, Alabama has extended a temporary moratorium that prevents the state’s Medical Cannabis Commission (AMCC) from issuing licenses to medical marijuana businesses.

In June the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission announced the 21 companies selected to receive licenses to grow, process, transport, test and sell medical marijuana. Earlier this month the state voided those licenses before they were officially issued, while announcing the issuance of a new batch of licenses. Now Judge James Anderson has extended a restraining order (first put in place on August 17) preventing those licenses from being issued.

The moratorium was extended because the commission held a private meeting when discussing which companies to issue licenses to, which Judge Anderson says goes against the Alabama Open Meetings Act.
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Aug 29 2023

Report: Hemp Milk Market Worth $112 Million Annually, to Over Double by 2032

 According to a new report, the market for hemp milk has grown substantially in recent years and is expected to more than double in value by 2032.

hemp milk

According to the report by Future Market Research, there was $112.8 million in hemp milk sales in 2022. The report predicts that by 2032, annual hemp milk sales will reach almost a quarter of a billion dollars at $236.4 million. This would represent a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.3%.

“The predicted period is expected to see a growth in hemp milk sales as people become more aware of the benefits of plant-based food and drink options”, states the report. “There are many different kinds of hemp milk being created, including unsweetened, flavoured, and flavourless variations.”
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Aug 29 2023

Inhaled Marijuana Leads to Symptom Improvement in Patients with Chronic Pouchitis, Finds Study

Patients with chronic pouchitis find sustained relief from the daily use of inhaled marijuana, according to a study published in the journal ACG Case Reports.

The study is titled Cannabis Improves Clinical Outcomes and Quality of Life in Patients With Chronic Pouchitis, and it was conducted by researchers at Meir Medical Center, Tel Aviv University, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Rabin Medical Center and Shamir (Assaf Harofeh) Medical Center, all in Israel

According to the Mayo Clinic, pouchitis is “inflammation that occurs in the lining of a pouch created during surgery to treat ulcerative colitis or certain other diseases.” Chronic pouchitis is defined as clinical symptoms that last longer than four weeks.
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Aug 29 2023

New Poll Finds 59% of Ohio Voters Support Initiative to Legalize Marijuana

According to new polling a large majority of registered voters in Ohio support an initiative to legalize marijuana.

“[An] issue that will be on the ballot is to allow Ohioans ages 21 and older to buy and possess 2.5 ounces of cannabis and 15 grams of concentrates”, states the poll, conducted by Fallon Research & Communications. “They could also grow up to six plants individually and no more than 12 in a household, and products would be taxed 10%, with revenue going toward administrative costs, addiction treatment programs, municipalities with dispensaries and a social equity and jobs program.”

The poll asked registered voters “If the election were held today and you were voting, would you vote yes, in favor of this proposed law or no, against it?”
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Aug 29 2023

Study: Medical Marijuana Legalization Associated With 18% Reduction in Foster Care Cases Related to Drug Abuse

States that legalize medical marijuana see a significant reduction in foster care cases related to drug abuse in the years that follow, according to a new study.

Published by Research Square, the study was conducted by researchers at Georgia College and State University.

For the study researchers investigated whether or not “states that legalize marijuana experience an increase in foster care entries related to drug abuse”. They utilized “multiple difference-in-difference approaches to exploit the state level variation in recreational and medical marijuana laws”, examining data from over 3.4 million foster care cases starting in 2007.
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Aug 28 2023

Arkansas: $23 Million in Medical Marijuana Sold in July

In July medical marijuana patients purchased over $23 million worth of product in Arkansas.

In total licensed medical marijuana dispensaries sold $23.2 million and 5,157 pounds worth of medical marijuana products. This includes dried marijuana flower as well as products infused with medical marijuana such as edibles and tincture.

According to the Arkansas Department of Finance, overall sales for 2023 now stand at $164.6 million in total revenue with 34,214 pounds sold.
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