Jan 23 2025

Washington House Bill Would Remove Residency Requirement for Marijuana Industry Investors, Public Hearing Scheduled for January 29

Lawmakers are pushing for a significant shake-up in Washington’s marijuana industry with House Bill 1346, which is scheduled for a public hearing in the House Committee on Consumer Protection & Business on January 29 at 1:30 p.m.

The bipartisan bill, filed on January 16 by six lawmakers, would eliminate the in-state residency requirement for cannabis business investors, a restriction that has limited growth and innovation since its inception.

The residency requirement was initially introduced to mitigate potential federal enforcement risks when Washington became one of the first states to legalize recreational marijuana in 2012. However, as other states with similar laws have adopted more open investment policies without repercussions, the restriction has become increasingly unnecessary. Proponents of the bill argue that removing this barrier will level the playing field for Washington businesses, making it easier for local entrepreneurs to compete with larger, better-funded operations in other states.
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Jan 23 2025

Connecticut Bill Would End All Nonviolent Cannabis Charges, Resentence Incarcerated Offenders, Expunge Records, and Advance Equity

Connecticut lawmakers introduced House Bill 6377 today, a bold proposal that would reshape the state’s cannabis laws and promote more equity in the marijuana industry.

Filed by State Representatives Michael Shannon (D) and Anne Hughes (D), the bill has been referred to the Joint Committee on Judiciary for consideration. The proposal would address multiple facets of cannabis reform, including terminating all investigations and charges related to nonviolent cannabis offenses, shifting law enforcement resources away from cases that proponents of the bill say pose no public safety risk.

Additionally, the measure mandates the expungement of past cannabis convictions and a review of sentences for individuals currently incarcerated for cannabis-related offenses. If enacted, these individuals could have their sentences vacated and their civil rights restored.
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Jan 23 2025

The Best Cannabis Strains for Combatting Pain

When it comes to managing pain, certain marijuana strains stand out for their effectiveness.

Runtz.

There are hundreds of marijuana strains available through the United States. This list covers the ten best strains for pain relief, compiled using feedback from our readers and reviews from Leafly and WeedMaps.
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Jan 23 2025

New York Cannabis Showcase Bill Passes Assembly Ways and Means Committee, Advances to Full Assembly

A bill authorizing cannabis showcase events in New York has passed the Assembly Ways and Means Committee with a vote of 24 to 10.

Assembly Bill 418, introduced by Assemblymember Donna Lupardo (D), will now head to the full Assembly for consideration. The measure is mirrored by Senate Bill 818, introduced by Senator Michelle Hinchey (D), which contains identical language and recently advanced through the Senate Rules Committee, signaling bipartisan interest in establishing a framework for cannabis showcase events.

If passed into law, the legislation would allow licensed cannabis retailers and cultivators to collaborate in hosting showcase events, including “pop-up” events at venues such as farmers’ markets and other temporary locations. These events, as defined in the bill, would permit the display, sale, and promotion of cannabis products, provided participants obtain a cannabis showcase event permit issued by the state.
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Jan 23 2025

Global Cannabis Pharmaceuticals Market to Surge to $380.77 Billion by 2034

The global cannabis pharmaceuticals market is poised for exponential growth, with projections indicating an increase from $3.46 billion in 2023 to $380.77 billion by 2034.

This remarkable expansion, driven by a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 53.32%, is attributed to rising rates of chronic diseases, growing consumer demand for alternative treatments, and an expanding body of research highlighting the medical benefits of cannabis-based pharmaceuticals. This is according to a new report conducted by Research and Markets.

An increasing number of studies demonstrate the efficacy of cannabis in treating conditions such as chronic pain, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and chemotherapy-induced nausea, notes the report. Awareness among healthcare providers and patients continues to rise, further fueling the adoption of cannabis-derived medications. For instance, GW Pharmaceuticals announced in early 2024 the initiation of clinical trials for a CBD-based medication targeting symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
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Jan 23 2025

Bipartisan Colorado Senate Bill Introduced to Regulate Kratom Products

Colorado Senate Bill 72, which would regulate the manufacturing, distribution, and sale of kratom products, was introduced yesterday by State Senators Kyle Mullica and Byron Pelton, with support from State Representatives Lindsay and Matt Soper.

The bipartisan legislation, supported by two Democrats and two Republicans, has been assigned to the Senate Finance Committee for initial review.

The bill proposes several measures to enhance consumer safety and oversight of kratom, a plant which has been used for thousands of years for its medicinal and therapeutic properties and is currently legal in all but six states. Under the bill, kratom manufacturers would be required to register their products with the Colorado Department of Revenue. To obtain registration, manufacturers must pay an annual fee and provide proof of federal certifications, including registration with the Food and Drug Administration.
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Jan 23 2025

South Dakota House Passes Kratom Bill 66 to 0

The South Dakota House of Representatives approved House Bill 1056 yesterday with a unanimous 66 to 0 vote, taking a major step toward regulating kratom products statewide.

Originally introduced by eight Republican lawmakers and now supported by 12 sponsors, the bill would impose regulations on the preparation, sale, and distribution of kratom products. It also establishes penalties for violations, categorizing them as Class 2 misdemeanors.

Key measures in the bill include limiting the level of 7-hydroxymitragynine, a primary kratom alkaloid, to no more than two percent, prohibiting synthetic derivatives, and banning products containing harmful substances and additives.
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Jan 23 2025

Connecticut Bill Seeks to Cap THC Levels in Recreational Marijuana at 15%

State Representative Mark DeCaprio (R) introduced House Bill 6325 today, aiming to limit the maximum allowable THC content in marijuana sold in Connecticut’s recreational market.

House Bill 6325, fittingly titled An Act Reducing the Maximum Allowable THC Content of Cannabis and Cannabis Products Sold to Consumers in the Recreational Cannabis Market, would amend Connecticut law to prohibit cannabis establishments from selling products with THC concentrations exceeding 15%, measured on a dry-weight basis. The legislation applies to cannabis flower, plant material, and other cannabis products.

Earlier this month, a similar bill was filed in New York by State Representatives Phil Steck (D) and Keith Brown (R). Their proposal also seeks to establish a 15% THC cap on dried flower, citing potential health risks associated with high-potency cannabis. That bill would allow marijuana concentrates to have a THC content of up to 25%.
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Jan 23 2025

Legislation to Decriminalize Psilocybin Filed in Connecticut

A legislative proposal that would decriminalize the personal possession of psilocybin has been filed in Connecticut.

Today, State Representative Joshua Elliott (D) filed House Bill 6380, which has been assigned to the Joint Committee on Judiciary.

The measure states: “Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened: That title 21a of the general statutes be amended to decriminalize the possession of psilocybin.”
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Jan 23 2025

CA$452 Million in Legal Marijuana Sold in Canada in November, Year-to-Date Total Now CA$4.8 Billion

In Canada, there was CA$452 million in legal marijuana sold in November, bringing the year-to-date total to almost $5 billion.

There was CA$452.8 million in marijuana sold via legal outlets in Canada in November, a slight increase from the $450 million sold in October, according to data released by Statistics Canada.

The year-to-date total for marijuana sales in Canada is now around $4.8 billion.
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