Jun 13 2023

North Carolina Medical Marijuana Bill May Be Considered Soon in House, Already Passed Senate

North Carolina legislators are making a late-session push to get a Senate-approved medical marijuana bill through the House of Representatives before the end of the legislative session.

State Representative Donny Lambeth, Chair of the House Health Committee, recently told local media that he believes a Senate vote on the bill could happen as soon as the end of June.

Senate Bill 3 was approved by the Senate in March by a vote of 36 to 10. This sent the measure to the House, where passage would put it before Governor Roy Cooper. Under the proposed law those with a “debilitating medical condition” such as cancer, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis and post-traumatic stress disorder would be allowed to purchase, possess, consume medical marijuana and marijuana products if they receive a recommendation from a licensed physician.
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Jun 13 2023

Study: Marijuana Use Lower Among Youth in ZIP Codes with Marijuana Dispensaries

According to a new study marijuana use “was significantly lower among 10th and 12th graders living in a  ZIP code with a marijuana dispensary.”

The study, titled Adolescent Cannabis Use Among Youth in ZIP Codes with Medical Dispensaries, was published by the journal Cannabis and epublished by the US National Library of Medicine. It was conducted by researchers at the University of Illinois.

As noted by the study’s abstract, “concerns remain about whether liberalized policies result in increased adolescent cannabis use.” To date, “limited evidence exists that the statewide prevalence of adolescent cannabis use increased in states with liberalized policies. However, analyses at local levels show some negative impacts.”
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Jun 12 2023

Alabama Announces 21 License Recipients for Medical Marijuana Program

Almost two and a half years after Alabama passed a restrictive medical marijuana law, the state has officially announced the recipients of 21 licenses for growing, processing, testing and dispensing the medicine.

Today the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission announced the 21 companies that have been selected to receive licenses to grow and distribute medical marijuana. The 21 companies were chosen out of nearly 100 applicants.

“When we leave here today, there’s going to be some terribly disappointed people”, said Commission Executive Director John McMillan today at a meeting designed to determine and announce the recipients. “To the recipients, we look forward to working with you in a partnership manner.”
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Jun 12 2023

Maine Legislature Passes Bill to Allow Marijuana Use and Cultivation While on Probation and Parole

A Maine bill that would prevent those on probation, parole or release pending trial from being prevented in taking part in the state’s legal recreational marijuana program has been passed by the full legislature.

House Bill 1311 was filed by State Representative David Boyer along with a tripartisan group of four other lawmakers. The bill was passed by the House of Representatives on June 6, and it was passed by the Senate the following day. Today the proposal was passed through both chambers in final concurrence votes. This sends the bill to Governor Janet Mills, who is expected to sign it into law.

According to the measure’s official summary, it “prohibits an individual’s legal cultivation, possession or use of cannabis or testing positive for cannabis from being a violation of probation, parole or release pending trial unless the court finds that the cultivation, possession or use of cannabis by the individual creates a risk of danger to the individual or others.”
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Jun 12 2023

New Pennsylvania Bill Would Provide Tenant Protections to Medical Marijuana Patients

Legislation filed today in Pennsylvania would give explicit legal protections to renters who use medical marijuana.

House Bill 985 was filed by State Representative Christopher Rabb along with nine cosponsors, all Democrat. The measure states that “No landlord may evict, threaten to evict or otherwise discriminate against a residential tenant for the lawful usage or possession of medical marijuana if the tenant is certified to use medical marijuana.”

The measure clarifies that the law “applies to a tenant who resides in public housing or publicly subsidized housing and is certified to use medical marijuana.”
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Jun 12 2023

Rhode Island House Votes 54 to 11 to Legalize Psilocybin (AKA Magic Mushrooms)

Rhode Island’s full House of Representatives has overwhelmingly approved legislation that would legalize the possession and cultivation of psilocybin.

Psilocybin

Psilocybin mushrooms.

House Bill 5923 was approved through the House today by a veto-proof majority, 54 to 11. The measure now goes to the Senate for consideration, with passage in the Senate sending the bill to Governor Daniel McKee.

As approved by the House, HB 5923 would allow those 21 and older to possess up to an ounce of psilocybin, which is the psychedelic compound found in magic mushroom. Those 21 and older would also be allowed to grow psilocybin for both personal use and for sharing with another individual who is also at least 21 years old.
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Jun 12 2023

Missouri: $120 Million Worth of Marijuana Purchased Legally in May

According to data released by the Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services, the state sold over $120 million in legal marijuana in May.

Missouri consumers purchased $92.6 million in recreational marijuana last month. This is in addition to the $28.3 million in medical marijuana sold during the same period, bringing the total amount of legal marijuana purchased to $120.9 million.

The four-month total since recreational marijuana sales began now stands at around $380 million. When you account for the over $100 million in medical marijuana sold during the same period, the total amount of legal marijuana and marijuana products purchased in Missouri between February and April is almost 500 million.
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Jun 12 2023

Connecticut: $22.7 Million in Legal Marijuana Sold in May

There was over $22 million in legal marijuana sold in May in Connecticut, a new monthly record for the state.

In May Connecticut marijuana stores sold $22,774,710 in marijuana and marijuana products including dried flower, concentrates (oils, hash, etc.), edibles, topicals and other items like tinctures. The $22.7 million in the most legal marijuana sold in a single month since the start of legal sales.

$11.5 million of the $22.7 million was sold to recreational consumers, with $11.2 million being sold to registered medical marijuana patients.
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Jun 12 2023

Minnesota: At Least 66,000 Marijuana Charges Will Be Expunged August 1

Following the governor’s signature of HF 100, Minnesota officials say that starting August 1st tens of thousands of marijuana charges will be expunged with thousands more put into consideration.

According to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, the agency HF 100 tasks with handling marijuana expungements, work on establishing the process for marijuana expungements is already underway. They say that starting August 1st at least 66,000 marijuana charges will be expunged with another 230,000 put up for consideration.

As outlined in the legalization bill the expungements will be handled automatically and will not require individuals to submit an application. A Cannabis Expungement Board will be in charge of ensuring records are sealed following expungement. The expungements will apply to all marijuana charges that will become legal under HF 100.
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Jun 12 2023

Alaska Garnered $2.4 Million in Taxes From Legal Marijuana Sales in April, $23.5 Million Fiscal Year-to-Date

Alaska, with a population of less than 750,000, continues to bring in millions each month in marijuana tax revenue.

According to data released by the Tax Division of the Alaska Department of Revenue, the state made a total of $2,398,053 in tax revenue from the legal distribution of marijuana in April alone.

$1,129,976 of this revenue came from the sale of 22,600 ounces worth of marijuana flower. $663,695 of the revenue came from the sale of immature marijuana plants and seedlings, and $604,381 came from the purchase of marijuana trimmings.

In the fiscal year to date (starting July), Alaska has garnered $23,506,717 in tax revenue from the distribution of 229,039 ounces of marijuana flower, 239,921 ounces of immature plants and 403,788 ounces of trimmings.
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