Nov 02 2023

Full US Senate Approves Bill to Allow Medical Marijuana for Veterans

The full United States Senate has approved a spending bill that includes an important medical marijuana provision.

By a vote of 82 to 15 the Senate has given approval to the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies spending bill. Included in the bill is a provision, put forth by Senator Jeff Merkley (D), that would allow doctors at the US Department of Veterans Affairs to legally recommend marijuana to their patients, something that’s currently prohibited.

Specifically, the provision states that “None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available to the Department of Veterans Affairs in this Act may be used in a manner that would interfere with the ability of a veteran to participate in a medicinal marijuana program approved by a State”, or “deny any services from the Department to a veteran who is participating in such a program”, or “limit or interfere with the ability of a health care provider of the Department to make appropriate recommendations, fill out forms, or take steps to comply with such a program.”
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Nov 01 2023

New Mexico: In October, $46 Million in Legal Marijuana Sold, Over 1.1 Million Transactions

Although October marijuana sales didn’t top the monthly sales record set in September, they weren’t far off.

According to the New Mexico Regulation & Licensing Department, there was $46,682,243 worth of legal marijuana sold throughout October, roughly $1 million short of the record breaking $47.7 million sold in August.

In October medical marijuana patients purchased $12,051,505 worth of marijuana and marijuana products, with adult-use sales reaching $34.6 million.
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Nov 01 2023

Study: Home Values Are 41% Higher in States with Legal Recreational Cannabis

According to newly published research, home values in states with recreational cannabis have outpaced home values in other states by $48,983 over the past decade.

(Photo credit: Getty Images).

The study by Real Estate Witch and Leafly found that property values in the 23 states that have legalized recreational marijuana have risen by $185,075 since 2014, compared to $136,092 in states without recreational marijuana. Typical home values in a recreational state are $417,625, 41% higher than in non-recreational states ($295,338).

Of the 10 states with the largest increases in home values, seven have legalized recreational cannabis. Meanwhile, of the 10 states with the smallest increases in home values, nine have not legalized recreational cannabis.
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Nov 01 2023

U.S. Sentencing Commission: New Guidelines Advising Judges To Treat Past Marijuana Convictions More Leniently Takes Effect

In April the U.S. Sentencing Commission voted in favor of a proposal that updates sentencing guidelines to advise judges to treat past offenses related to marijuana in a more lenient manner. The guidelines are now officially in effect.

The commission in April voted unanimously to advise that marijuana possession warrants discretion in regards to sentencing especially given its non-violent nature. The proposed change went through a congressional review and public comment period before officially taking effect today, November 1.

The change clarifies that a downward departure from the defendant’s criminal history category may be warranted based on if “the defendant received criminal history points from a sentence for possession of marihuana for personal use, without an intent to sell or distribute it to another person.”
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Nov 01 2023

Connecticut Officials Double Recreational Marijuana Purchase Limit, Takes Effect December 1

The Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) announced today that the state will be doubling its purchase limit for recreational marijuana.

Connecticut’s recreational marijuana law was passed in July, 2021, with the first marijuana store opening in January of this year. The law allows those 21 and older to possess up to 1.5 ounces of marijuana, but they can only purchase up to a quarter of an ounce per transaction. Under the new rules change, taking effect December 1, the purchase limit will be increased to half of an ounce.

“As more retailers, production companies and other supply chain licensees have come online, the capacity of the industry has increased,” said DCP Commissioner Bryan T. Cafferelli. “We are confident this measured approach to adult-use sales has resulted in a healthy market for businesses and a safe and fair marketplace for adult-use cannabis consumers and medical marijuana patients.”
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Nov 01 2023

University of Mississippi to Offer Master’s Degree in Medical Marijuana and Dietary Supplements

The University of Mississippi (“Ole Miss”) has announced a new master’s degree program that has a large focus on medical marijuana.

The university has announced that the new two-year online program under the School of Pharmacy will open in fall 2024, reports the Clarion Ledger. The course will cover two subjects; dietary supplements and medical marijuana.

“The purpose is to provide advanced training for people who are seeking employment or want to advance their current jobs in dietary supplements, which could be herbal products or medical cannabis,” says David Colby, director of online graduate programs in the biomedical sciences department
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Nov 01 2023

Pennsylvania House Committee Holds Hearing on Marijuana Legalization

Pennsylvania’s House Health Subcommittee on Health Care held a hearing today to discuss the issue of legalizing marijuana.

No specific legislation was considered during today’s hearing, but the subcommittee discussed, in detail, the potential implications of legalizing marijuana and the various approaches that could be taken if the state decides to do so. Subcommittee Chair Representative Dan Frankel (D) recently issued a memo seeking cosponsors for a forthcoming marijuana legalization bill.

The committee heard from a variety of individuals, including Penn State College of Medicine professor Kent Vrana and New Frontier Data Chief Knowledge Officer Amanda Reiman. Among those who spoke many were supportive of legalization and the social benefits that come with it, but some opposed to the idea with the common refrain being that it could negatively impact youth. This was countered with data showing that youth marijuana usage has actually decreased in legal marijuana states.
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Nov 01 2023

Study Finds Access to CBD Reduces Opioid Use

According to a new study, access to CBD leads to a reduction in opioid use.

CBD tincture.

“We investigate the impacts of state legalization of products containing cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive alternative to marijuana, on opioid prescribing rates”, states the abstract of the study, published in the Southern Economic Journal.

“Research suggests that legalized medical marijuana may reduce opioid prescriptions, though no empirical link between CBD and opioids has been ascertained. Using county-level prescribing rates between 2010 and 2019, as well as state-level morphine milligram equivalent (MME) consumption of 8 common opioids, we estimate that state adoption of limited access cannabis product (CBD) laws leads to no change in opioid prescribing rates.”
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Nov 01 2023

Ohio Analysis: Marijuana Tax Revenue Would Generate Hundreds of Millions of Dollars in Social Benefits

Today Scioto Analysis released its most recent cost-benefit analysis looking at the impact of Ohio’s Ballot Issue Two, recreational marijuana legalization.

The study found that this policy “will likely generate about $260 million in net benefits for society, though likely results ranged between $200 million in net costs and $1.9 billion of net benefits.”

Researchers state that their “simulation model suggests that in 90% of likely scenarios, recreational marijuana legalization will have a positive net economic benefit on society.”
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Nov 01 2023

Las Vegas: Company Unveils DAZED! Marijuana Consumption Lounge

Planet 13 Holdings Inc., a vertically-integrated multi-state cannabis company, today unveils plans and renderings for its “first-of-its-kind, high-end consumption lounge”, DAZED!, at the Las Vegas SuperStore.

DAZED! is a marijuana consumption lounge “with VIP booths, expertly crafted canna-cocktails and unique bong chandeliers”, according to a press release sent today. “With 3,000 square feet of mixed-used food, consumption, and entertainment space, DAZED! Lounge will redefine the cannabis experience for tourists and local customers alike.”

Larry Scheffler, co-CEO of Planet 13, says they are “thrilled to share our exciting plans for our trailblazing cannabis consumption lounge.” Scheffler says “From day one, our goal has been to out-Vegas-Vegas, and this is another big step in that direction. It’s an extraordinary space for cannabis novices, connoisseurs, tourists and locals to enjoy cannabis while experiencing world-class entertainment”.
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