Mar 20 2025

Minnesota Senate Committee Approves Bill Allowing Tribal Medical Marijuana Patients to Buy from State-Licensed Dispensaries

Today, the Minnesota Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee approved a measure to allow tribal medical marijuana patients to purchase from state-licensed dispensaries while strengthening protections for medical cannabis users.

The bill, sponsored by State Senator Scott Dibble (D), would allow patients enrolled in tribal medical cannabis programs to purchase marijuana from licensed dispensaries across the state. It also allows registered caregivers to cultivate cannabis on behalf of medical marijuana patients if the patient assigns them that right. The measure has been advanced to the Health and Human Services Committee.

Under the proposed changes, businesses with a medical marijuana retail endorsement would be authorized to distribute medical cannabis to tribal patients, provided they verify enrollment in a recognized tribal program. Additionally, the bill clarifies that individuals on parole or supervised release cannot face sanctions solely for participating in a state or tribal medical cannabis program.
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Mar 20 2025

Maryland: $1.87 Billion in Legal Marijuana Sold So Far in Fiscal Year 2025

Maryland’s marijuana industry recorded $88,037,944 in total sales for February 2025, bringing the total for FY 2025 to above $1.8 billion, according to newly released data from the Maryland Cannabis Administration.

Of that total, adult-use sales accounted for $66 million, while medical marijuana sales made up the remaining $22 million. The total figure is nearly identical to the $89 million sold in February 2024.

The average price per gram in February remained at $9. Dried marijuana flower led sales, generating $50 million in revenue, followed by concentrates at $26.5 million and edibles at $10.5 million. The remaining sales were classified under the “other” category.
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Mar 19 2025

The Most Popular Medical Cannabis Strains Right Now

From chronic pain and nausea, to anxiety and depression, medical marijuana patients use cannabis for a wide variety of ailments, with certain strains standing out among the rest due to the consistent and effective relief they provide.

GMO Cookies (aka Garlic Cookies).

While preferences can vary by condition and region, a few standout strains are dominating dispensary menus and patient demand right now across the United States. With that in mind, here are 10 of the most popular medical marijuana strains currently trending, based on data from state regulatory agencies, the strain review site Leafly, and opinions provided by out readers.

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Mar 19 2025

Hawaii Senate Committees Approve Proposal to Allow Medical Marijuana for Any Condition, Enable Certifications Via Telehealth

Hawaii’s Senate Health and Human Services and Commerce and Consumer Protection committees approved an amended version of House Bill 302 today, advancing a measure that would expand access to medical marijuana in the state.

The bill, introduced in January with eight sponsors, would allow doctors and advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) to certify patients for medical marijuana use via telehealth rather than requiring an in-person visit. Lawmakers also amended the measure to eliminate the state’s list of qualifying conditions, allowing healthcare providers to recommend medical marijuana for any condition they deem necessary.

Currently, Hawaii law limits medical marijuana eligibility to patients diagnosed with a specific set of conditions, including cancer, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, PTSD, severe pain, and glaucoma, among others. If enacted, HB 302 would remove these restrictions, giving doctors greater discretion in determining who can benefit from medical marijuana treatment.
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Mar 19 2025

Rhode Island Senators File Bill Requiring Healthcare Facilities to Allow Medical Marijuana for Terminally Ill Patients

A group of eight Rhode Island senators have filed legislation that would require certain healthcare facilities to allow terminally ill patients to use medical marijuana.

Cannabis capsules.

Senate Bill 847, filed today, has been referred to the Senate Health and Human Services Committee for consideration.

The proposal serves as a companion to House Bill 5630, introduced in February with ten sponsors. The two measures share identical language, both designed to ensure access to medical marijuana for patients in healthcare facilities while implementing strict guidelines for its use. The Senate sponsors include Senators Melissa Murray (D), Jonathon Acosta (D), Samuel Bell (D), Brian Thompson (D), Dawn Euer (D), Mark McKenney (D), Pamela Lauria (D), and Bridget Valverde (D).
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Mar 19 2025

North Carolina Senators File Marijuana Legalization Bill, Two Days After Identical Measure Filed in House

A trio of senators in North Carolina filed the Marijuana Justice and Reinvestment Act today, a proposal to legalize recreational cannabis that was filed in the House on Monday (currently with 17 sponsors).

Senators Graig Meyer (D), Jay Chaudhuri (D), and Natalie Murdock (D) introduced the Senate version of the bill, mirroring the House proposal.

The legislation would legalize marijuana for those 21 and older, allowing possession of up to two ounces of marijuana, 15 grams of concentrates, and marijuana products containing up to 2,000 milligrams of THC. It would also allow home cultivation of up to six plants, with additional harvested marijuana required to remain on the grower’s property.
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Mar 19 2025

Iowa Bill to Legalize Psilocybin for PTSD Patients Scheduled for Public Hearing on March 25

An Iowa bill to legalize psilocybin for those with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been scheduled for a public hearing on March 25 at 12:00PM.

Dried psilocybin mushrooms. (Photo credit: Rich Townsend/Getty Images).

The hearing on House File 620, sponsored by Representative John Wills (R), is being held by the House Ways and Means Subcommittee in House Lounge 2. The proposed law would establish a regulated framework for the production and supervised administration of psilocybin, the psychedelic compound found in magic mushrooms.

If enacted, the measure would allow its use under professional supervision for those with PTSD, while retaining penalties for unauthorized production or possession.
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Mar 19 2025

Texas Senate Passes Bill to Ban All THC in Consumable Hemp Products

The Texas Senate has approved Senate Bill 3 in a 24 to 7 vote, advancing legislation that would ban THC in all consumable hemp products.

Gummies made with hemp-derived Delta-8 THC.

Filed by Republican Senators Charles Perry, Donna Campbell, and Brent Hagenbuch, SB 3 would outlaw any hemp-derived product containing cannabinoids other than cannabidiol (CBD) or cannabigerol (CBG). This prohibition would effectively eliminate the sale of delta-8, delta-9, and other THC variants that have gained popularity under Texas’ existing hemp laws.

The bill assigns regulatory authority to the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), requiring all hemp manufacturers to obtain a state-issued license. It also mandates that consumable hemp products undergo rigorous testing to confirm their cannabinoid content and ensure they are free of harmful contaminants before reaching consumers.
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Mar 19 2025

France Moves Forward With Medical Cannabis Regulations, Submits Proposals to European Union

France has moved closer to allowing medical marijuana by sending two key proposals to the European Commission that would set rules for its production and distribution.

This notification, submitted on March 19 through the Technical Regulation Information System (TRIS) procedure, is a required step before the country can fully incorporate medical marijuana into its legal system.

These decrees, finalized nearly two years ago, had been awaiting government approval for submission to Brussels. Now, a three-month standstill period allows the European Commission and member states to review and comment on the regulations. If a detailed opinion is issued, the review period could extend by another three months, requiring France to justify its proposed measures.
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Mar 19 2025

Connecticut Committee Approves Bill to Strengthen Labor Protections for Cannabis Workers

A Connecticut legislative committee has approved a bill designed to strengthen labor protections for cannabis industry employees.

The House Labor and Public Employees Committee voted 9 to 4 yesterday in favor of a substitute version of House Bill 6842, which mandates that cannabis businesses enter into labor peace agreements and prohibits employers from factoring gratuities into wages to meet minimum pay requirements. The bill now moves to the full House for consideration.

The measure proposes updating existing labor laws by requiring cannabis licensees to sign agreements with labor unions, preventing them from interfering with organizing efforts. It also clarifies that cannabis workers must be paid at least the state’s minimum fair wage, barring businesses from offsetting wages with tips.
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