Nov 11 2024

Pennsylvania House Majority Leader Says There’s “Will in the House to Move Forward” With Marijuana Legalization

Following last week’s election, Democrats in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives retained a one vote majority. Now, Majority Leader Matt Bradford (D) says that he expects the House to see some movement on legislation to legalize recreational marijuana.

In September, a bipartisan coalition of 17 House members introduced a comprehensive, bipartisan marijuana legalization bill. Under the proposed law, those 21 and older would be allowed to possess and use up to 30 grams of marijuana, purchasable via a licensed marijuana outlet. The legal marijuana industry would be overseen by the Department of Agriculture.

Now, following Tuesday’s election, Bradford says there’s “will in the House to move forward” on marijuana legalization next session.
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Nov 11 2024

If We Care About Veterans, We’ll Legalize Marijuana Nationwide

As the nation honors Veterans Day, a growing number of advocates argue that the best way to honor America’s veterans is to provide them with broader access to cannabis.

(Photo credit: GETTY Images).

For years, veterans and advocacy groups have pushed for marijuana reform, pointing to cannabis’ potential to address conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), chronic pain, and anxiety—issues disproportionately affecting those who have served in the military. However, federal restrictions continue to complicate access to even medical marijuana, despite evidence and state-level policies increasingly support its therapeutic value.

Currently, veterans who seek relief through medical cannabis face a patchwork of laws depending on the state in which they live. Thirty-eight states and Washington, D.C. have legalized medical marijuana, and 24 states have legalized it recreationally. But the federal government still classifies marijuana as a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act, categorizing it as a substance with “no accepted medical use” and a high potential for abuse. This classification limits veterans’ access to cannabis through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), which cannot recommend or prescribe medical marijuana, even in states where it is legal. A process to move marijuana to Schedule III is currently underway, but its future is in question with a new administration incoming, and some argue a move to Schedule III wouldn’t do near enough to help veterans.
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Nov 11 2024

Report: CBD Gummies Market Valued at $1.88 Billion, to Grow to $19 Billion by 2033

The global CBD gummies market was valued at $1.88 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach from $2.44 billion in 2025 to $19.93 billion by 2033, according to a new report.

CBD gummies.

The report from Straits Research predicts that the market will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of an eye-opening 30% during the forecast period (2025–2033).

“The market for CBD gummies is expanding significantly due to rising customer interest in natural health cures and relaxation goods”, states the report. “This growth is being driven by elements like the increasing recognition of CBD as a health and medical supplement, as well as the gummies’ convenient form of intake. In addition, industry participants are broadening their product lines and growing their distribution networks as laws pertaining to CBD continue to change”
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Nov 11 2024

The Three States Poised to Legalize Recreational Marijuana in 2025

With the 2024 election behind us, it’s clear that no new state will be legalizing recreational marijuana this year. But there’s always hope for next year!

Currently 24 states have laws allowing for the possession and use of recreational marijuana, with all but Virginia also allowing licensed sales. Below is a look at the three states most likely to join these 24 in 2025.
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Nov 11 2024

The 2024 Election Disappointed Marijuana Legalization Supporters, But Concerns May Be Overstated

The 2024 election didn’t go as planned for marijuana legalization advocates, but the outlook remains positive.

The November 2024 election was expected to mark the tipping point, where legal marijuana states would become the majority, with three states considering legalization measures to join the existing 24. However, all three recreational marijuana proposals on the ballot were rejected. This outcome, despite media portrayals, doesn’t indicate waning support for marijuana legalization, which has seen rapid growth in recent years. Instead, it reflects a specific election and unique circumstances.

First, consider the remarkable rise of marijuana legalization. In 2012, not a single state had legalized recreational marijuana. By 2024, 24 states—nearly half the country—had done so, representing a majority of the nation’s population. This momentum isn’t likely to be dampened by a single election, especially given the nuances at play.
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Nov 10 2024

Arizona Marijuana Tax Revenue Tops $25 Million in October, All-Time Revenue at Nearly $1 Billion

In October, Arizona’s marijuana industry generated $25,496,330 in tax revenue.

This brings the state’s year-to-date total to approximately $235 million, with the all-time total nearing $1 billion at $993,703,867 since the state legalized marijuana. October marked the 35th consecutive month of marijuana tax revenue surpassing $20 million.

According to the Arizona Department of Revenue, the majority of October’s tax revenue came from the state’s 16% recreational marijuana excise tax ($16,014,939) and the 5.6% adult-use tax ($7,823,952). The medical marijuana program also contributed $1,656,348.
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Nov 09 2024

Montana Marijuana Stores Reported $27.7 Million in Sales in October, All-Time Sales Near $1 Billion

Montana marijuana sales saw a slight increase from September to October, though totals for both months were nearly the same.

There was $27,728,562 worth of marijuana sold legally in October, which includes marijuana products such as edibles and concentrates, according to data released by the Montana Department of Revenue. This is nearly identical to the $27,520,406 sold in September. The high this year was $29,716,881 sold in August.

There has now been around $280 million in legal marijuana sold so far this year, bringing all-time sales since January 2022 to $893,601,035.
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Nov 08 2024

Maine: $20.8 Million Worth of Marijuana Sold in October, Over $200 Million So Far in 2024

Legal marijuana sales in Maine experienced a slight drip from September to October, but remained steady at over $20 million.

According to the Maine Office of Cannabis Policy, licensed marijuana stores sold $20,839,409 worth of product, which includes dried marijuana flower as well as a variety of marijuana products including edibles, concentrates and topicals. Sales were spread across 399,729 different transactions.

Total marijuana sales from January 1 to October 31 is now $204,097,715, split across 3,806.690 transactions.
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Nov 07 2024

Study Finds Marijuana Can Improve Fibromyalgia Symptoms

According to a new study being published in the December issue of the journal Exploratory Research in Clinical and Social Pharmacy, cannabis use can lead to “an important improvement in pain, quality of life, and sleep habits” among those with fibromyalgia.

Conducted by researchers rom the University of Antioquia in Colombia and the University of Granada in Spain, the study is titled Effectiveness and safety of cannabis-based products for medical use in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome: A systematic review. It was also published online by the US National Library of Medicine.

“There is a need to explore pharmacological options for syndrome (FMS), such as medical cannabis”, begins the study’s abstract. “The aim of this systematic review was to synthesize and analyze the available information about the effectiveness/efficacy and safety of cannabis-based products for medical use (CBPMs) and cannabis-based medicines (CBMs), in patients with FMS.”
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Nov 07 2024

WA: $101 Million in Legal Marijuana Sold in October, Over $1 Billion Year-to-Date

The legal marijuana industry in Washington State generated over $100 million in sales in October, bringing the year-to-date total to above $1 billion.

There was $101.5 million worth of marijuana and marijuana products, including concentrates, edibles, tinctures and topicals, sold in October in Washington. This is according to data released by the research firm Headset.

Sales for October marked a slight increase from the $98 million sold in September, and it brings the year-to-date total to around $1.1 billion. In 2023, there was $1.25 billion in marijuana sales resulting in over $400 million in taxes. The state is on track to match, or possibly exceed this amount.
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