Mar 21 2025

WA Bill to Eliminate Residency Requirement for Marijuana Licenses Scheduled for March 25 Public Hearing

A bill that would remove Washington’s residency requirement for marijuana license holders is scheduled for a public hearing in the House Committee on Finance at 8:00a.m. on March 25.

House Bill 2037 was filed last week by State Representative Melanie Morgan (D). The proposal would “modernize adult use cannabis laws” by eliminating the requirement that cannabis license holders reside in Washington, while simultaneously creating targeted tax exemptions for businesses owned by social equity applicants.

According to the bill’s findings section, the current residency requirement has restricted Washington licensees from accessing out-of-state investment, placing them at a disadvantage compared to licensees in nearly all other legal marijuana states. Lawmakers also note that the requirement poses a significant barrier for social equity applicants, many of whom lack the capital to establish and sustain a cannabis business.
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Mar 21 2025

Report Finds Psychedelic Mushrooms Market to Grow from $1.5 Billion to $3.3 Billion by 2031

The global psychedelic mushrooms market is projected to more than double over the next seven years, growing from an estimated $1.5 billion in 2024 to $3.3 billion by 2031.

That’s according to a new report by Persistence Market Research, which forecasts a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.3% through 2031, up from a historical CAGR of 8.12% between 2019 and 2023.

This sharp rise is being driven by growing demand for psilocybin-based therapies to address mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, PTSD and addiction. The report notes that clinical trials are producing encouraging results, while psilocybin’s connection to enhanced neurogenesis and cognitive function is gaining broader recognition in the medical field.
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Mar 21 2025

North Carolina Lawmakers Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Regulate Kratom Sales

A bipartisan group of six North Carolina lawmakers introduced House Bill 468 yesterday, a comprehensive measure that would regulate the sale, distribution, manufacturing, and labeling of kratom products throughout the state.

Filed by Representative Jeff McNeely, the bill establishes a comprehensive licensing and regulatory framework for kratom, an herbal substance derived from the Mitragyna speciosa tree, commonly used for pain relief, mood enhancement, energy, and as a natural alternative to opioids. Under the proposal, no kratom product could be sold to anyone under 21, and all products would be required to meet strict testing and packaging standards.

The Alcohol Law Enforcement (ALE) Division would oversee enforcement, licensing, and compliance. Licenses would be required for all kratom manufacturers, distributors, and retail sellers, including online vendors. License fees range from $250 for retail sellers to $15,000 for manufacturers, with reduced fees available for small businesses. All licenses would be valid for one year and subject to renewal.
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Mar 21 2025

Oklahoma: $56 Million in Medical Marijuana Sold in February, Generating Nearly $4 Million in Taxes

Oklahoma medical marijuana dispensaries sold over $56.2 million worth of product in February, according to data released by the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority (OMMA).

The sales generated $3,937,092 in tax revenue for the state, based on Oklahoma’s 7% excise tax on medical marijuana. When combined with January’s data, the state has made $8,125,709 in taxes from $116,081,557.43 in medical marijuana sales so far in 2024.

Medical marijuana has been legal in Oklahoma since voters approved State Question 788 in June 2018. The initiative passed with 57% support, establishing one of the most accessible medical marijuana programs in the nation. Just months after passage, the first dispensaries began opening in October 2018.
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Mar 21 2025

Illinois Bill Would Use Marijuana Tax Revenue to Fund Free Community College in Areas Most Impacted by Drug War

A proposal to provide free community college in certain parts of Illinois using marijuana tax revenue was referred to the Rules Committee today.

(Photo credit: USA Today).

Filed in January by State Representative Rita Mayfield (D), House Bill 1170 would amend the state’s Public Community College Act to require the Illinois Community College Board to develop and maintain a program offering free tuition at one community college in each Restore, Reinvest, Renew (R3) Area.

These R3 Areas were established under the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act to support communities that have been disproportionately harmed by past drug policies, including those that have experienced high levels of violence, incarceration, and economic disinvestment.
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Mar 21 2025

Study: CBD Reduces Nerve Pain and Improves Memory by Activating Pain and Mood Receptors

A new study published in The Journal of Pain finds that cannabidiol (CBD) can reduce nerve pain and improve memory by activating spinal PPARγ and 5-HT1A receptors.

Researchers evaluated the effects of both acute and repeated doses of CBD in female mice with nerve injury-induced neuropathic pain. The study found that CBD significantly reduced tactile allodynia and spontaneous pain. The partial antiallodynic effect of pioglitazone, a PPARγ agonist, was blocked when a PPARγ antagonist was used, indicating the receptor’s key role in pain relief.

Similarly, CBD’s effect was diminished when either a PPARγ antagonist or a 5-HT1A receptor antagonist was administered, but not when a PPARα antagonist was used. When both antagonists were given together, the pain-relieving effects of CBD were entirely blocked.
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Mar 21 2025

Canada Retailers Sold CA$418 Million Worth of Marijuana in January, Up 6% From Last Year

Canada’s legal marijuana industry started 2025 on a strong note, with CA$418.325 million in sales recorded in January.

That’s a roughly 6% increase over the CA$395 million sold during the same month in 2024, according to new data released today by Statistics Canada.

Ontario once again led the country with CA$150 million in sales, followed by Alberta with CA$81 million. British Columbia came in third with CA$72 million, Quebec was fourth with CA$52 million, and Manitoba rounded out the top five with CA$16 million.
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Mar 20 2025

Legislation to Limit County Restrictions on Marijuana Businesses Introduced in Delaware Senate

A new bill filed today in the Delaware Senate would restrict how much control counties have over marijuana businesses, while preserving local authority for municipalities.

Delaware State Capitol.

Senate Bill 75 was introduced by Senators Charles Paradee, Kyra Hoffner, David Sokola, and Bryan Townsend, along with Representatives Edward Osienski and Eric Morrison, all Democrats. The measure was assigned to the Senate Elections & Government Affairs Committee.

The proposal would prohibit counties from banning marijuana retail stores in commercial or industrial zones, except under certain conditions. These include stores located within a half mile of another marijuana retailer or within 500 feet of schools, places of worship, libraries, parks, licensed child care centers, or residential treatment facilities.
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Mar 20 2025

New York Bill Creating Statewide Permit System for Cannabis Showcase Events, Including “Pop Up” Events, Delivered to Governor

A New York bill to establish a statewide permitting system for cannabis showcase events, including “pop up” events, has been delivered to Governor Kathy Hochul.

The legislation, Senate Bill 818, passed the Assembly on March 11 in a 96 to 53 vote after clearing the Senate in February, 43 to 16. Sponsored by State Senator Michelle Hinchey (D), the measure would replace the state’s temporary Cannabis Growers Showcase (CGS) program with a permanent system allowing all licensed cannabis businesses to host and sell at showcase events.

Under the bill, licensed retailers, cultivators, and processors could participate in showcase events, including standalone pop-ups, farmers’ markets, and other approved venues. Unlike the current CGS program, which is limited to conditional licensees and requires case-by-case approval from the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM), the bill would establish a structured and ongoing permitting process available to all state-licensed cannabis businesses.
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Mar 20 2025

Colorado House Approves Bill to Streamline Marijuana Rules, Double Retail Purchase Limit

The Colorado House of Representatives today passed a comprehensive marijuana regulatory reform bill with a 45 to 18 vote.

House Bill 1209, sponsored by Representatives William Lindstedtand along with 13 cosponsors, focuses on streamlining marijuana licensing rules, simplifying recordkeeping requirements, and expanding research and development (R&D) access for licensees. It also reduces certain appropriations and modifies criminal history check requirements for license applicants.

Under the bill, marijuana businesses will be allowed to maintain required records without duplicating those already logged in the state’s seed-to-sale tracking system. The bill also authorizes the Marijuana Enforcement Division to demand video footage with at least 72 hours’ notice and modernizes communication between regulators and licensees by moving away from first-class mail in favor of digital notifications.
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