Feb 20 2023

CDC Report: High School Marijuana Use on Decline in Past Decade Despite 21 States Legalizing During That Period

According to new data released by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the percentage of high school students who report regularly consuming marijuana has fallen over the past decade.

The Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data Summary & Trends Report: 2011-2021 found that the percentage of high-schoolers who report having used marijuana over the past 30 days fell from 23% in 2011 to 16% in 2021, with the decline being more pronounced among males than females. This is despite the fact that in 2011 there was exactly zero legal marijuana states, and now there’s 21.

“These latest findings add to the growing body of scientific literature showing that legalization policies can be implemented in a manner that provides access for adults while simultaneously limiting youth access and misuse”, says NORML’s Deputy Director Paul Armentano. “Furthermore, these findings stand in sharp contrast to the sensational claims often made by legalization opponents, claims that thus far have proven to be baseless.”
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Feb 20 2023

Poll: 60% of Virginia Voters Want Marijuana Retail Outlets Legalized

New polling shows a strong majority of voters in Virginia favor legalizing retail marijuana stores.

The Christopher Newport University survey found that 60% of Virginia voters support legalizing retail marijuana outlets where anyone 21 and older can purchase marijuana and marijuana products This is relevant because despite Virginia legalizing marijuana possession a couple years ago, they are one of the only legal marijuana states to not allow marijuana to be sold by licensed retail outlets.

“It comes as no surprise that a majority of Virginians support legalizing the sale of cannabis,” said NORML Development Director JM Pedini. “Virginians understand that prohibition has wasted millions of taxpayer dollars, derailed the lives of hundreds of thousands of hard-working Virginians, and that it has done nothing to protect our youth or provide for consumer safety. They’re ready for cannabis policies that work for, not against them.”
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Feb 20 2023

Oklahoma Marijuana Legalization Initiative Being Voted On In Just 2 Weeks

In just two weeks and a day Oklahoma voters will have the opportunity to legalize marijuana for everyone 21 and older.

On March 7th Oklahoma voters will decide the fate of State Question 820, which would legalize recreational marijuana for everyone 21 and older. Although the initiative was initially suppose to be on the November general election ballot, a slowdown in signature counting by the Secretary of State’s office caused a delay, resulting in Governor Stitt issuing a proclamation placing the initiative on the March 7th special election ballot.

State Question 820 would allow those 21 and older to possess, consume, cultivate and purchase marijuana for any purposes. The possession limit would be set at one ounce of marijuana, eight grams of marijuana concentrates and eight grams of marijuana-infused products. The cultivation limit would be set at six mature plants and six seedlings.
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Feb 17 2023

Study Finds THC-Dominant Marijuana Extract Improves Symptoms in Alzheimer’s Patients

Using THC-dominant marijuana extracts twice a day is associated with symptom mitigation in patients with Alzheimer’s disease

This is according to an observational study published in the Italian journal La Clinica Terapeutica.

For the study researchers examined the safety and efficacy of marijuana extract containing 22% THC and 0.5% CBD in 30 patients with mild to severe Alzheimer’s disease. Study participants administered the extracts twice daily for 12 weeks.

Investigators reported reductions in patients’ agitation, apathy, irritability, sleep disturbances, and eating disturbances following cannabis treatment. It also resulted in “lower levels of physically and verbally aggressive behaviors … in all patients.” Forty-five percent of subjects experienced “a significant decrease in cognitive impairment.” None of the patients complained of any adverse side effects. All of the patients exhibited increased quality of life and a “decrease in caregiver burden and costs of medical care and assistance.”
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Feb 16 2023

Texas Bill Filed to Allow Counties and Localities to Legalize Marijuana

Texas State Representative Jessica González has filed House Bill 1937 which would allow counties and municipalities to adopt an order or ordinance that would legalize the recreational use of cannabis within their jurisdiction.

The bill directs the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation to adopt all necessary rules for the administration and enforcement of this bill, including licensing, regulation, testing standards, and transportation.

State Representative Jessica González issued the following statement: “Twenty-one states in America have legalized cannabis, and twenty-seven states have decriminalized the use of cannabis. In a recent study, a majority of Texans supported some form of legalization of cannabis use. While Texas has made progress with the Compassionate Use Act, we have been left behind on a potential revenue source that would increase investments in public education, stop unnecessary arrests for cannabis possession, and create jobs in our state. We should allow our local communities to make the best decision for themselves regarding cannabis legalization, and House Bill 1937 would allow that for adults 21 years or older.”
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Feb 16 2023

Bill to Legalize Personal Marijuana Cultivation Passed by Washington State House Committee

Legislation that would legalize the personal cultivation of marijuana throughout Washington State has been passed by a key committee in the House of Representatives.

House Bill 1614 was passed today by the House Regulated Substances and Gaming Committee by a vote of 7 to 4.

The proposed law would allow those 21 and older to cultivate up to six marijuana plants with up to 15 allowed per residence. Currently Washington State is one of the only legal marijuana states to not allow for adults to cultivate it at home for personal use. This is despite the fact that Washington along with Colorado was the first to legalize marijuana back in 2012.
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Feb 16 2023

Report: Global Legal Cannabis Market Valued at $47 Billion in 2023, to Grow to $76 Billion by 2027

The global market for legal marijuana is expected to be valued at $47.5 billion by the end of 2023, and is expected to grow to $76 billion by 2027, according to a new report from Statista.

“The maturity of the Cannabis market varies across the globe mainly due to differing legal environments and public attitudes towards cannabis”, states the report. “Some countries such as Canada and the United States have adopted fully regulated frameworks that allow cultivation, consumption, and retail distribution of various cannabis products. There are other countries that have more limited frameworks that allow the cultivation of cannabis, but have not legalizied retail sales (e.g., South Africa).”

The report notes that regulations can also differ regarding how cannabis is used. Some countries allow consumption of products that contain high tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) strictly for medical use, while there are other countries that also permit the consumption of high THC products for recreational use.
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Feb 15 2023

Trulieve Becomes First Cannabis Company to Launch Advertising Campaign Under New Twitter Policy

Trulieve Cannabis Corp., a leading cannabis company in the United States, today became the first multi-state operator in the cannabis industry to launch advertising campaigns on Twitter.

The launch of the new campaign follows a policy change made by the global social media platform today that now allows cannabis companies to advertise.

“Trulieve is very excited and encouraged by Twitter’s decision to update its policies and allow cannabis companies to advertise across the platform,” said Gina Collins, Trulieve’s Chief Marketing Officer. “Having a global social media platform recognize our industry is another step forward in the normalization of cannabis in the U.S.”
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Feb 15 2023

Global Hemp Market to Grow From $6.87 Billion to $19.37 Billion by 2030

The global market for hemp is currently valued at $6.87 billion with expectations that it’ll grow to be worth nearly $20 billion by 2030.

This is according to a new Global Hemp Market report conducted and published by Cognitive Market Research. The anticipated growth represents a compound annual growth rate of 22.6%.

“Hemp is considered one of the most versatile and sustainable crops since every part of the plant can be used for one or more purposes”, states the report. “For decades, hemp seed has been cultivated to make everything from building materials to textiles. Its wide-reaching growth potential is now beginning to be embraced and utilized by many organizations. Hence, the production of hemp seeds “has increased and they have become a product with an important and growing market.”
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Feb 14 2023

Marijuana Legalization Bills Prefiled in Louisiana Legislature

A lawmaker in Louisiana has prefiled two separate bills in the state’s House of Representatives to legalize, regulate and tax marijuana, with a third forthcoming.

State Representative Candace Newell has prefiled two different legislative proposals aimed at legalizing marijuana and established a licensed and regulated system of marijuana retailers and producers, with one more on the way.

“I’ve separated the three bills. It’s legalization, regulation, and taxation”, says Newell. “So each bill does its own thing,”
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