Mar 13 2023

Canada’s Cannabis Legalization Has Not Impacted Motor Vehicle and Pedestrian/Cyclist Injuries

A study published by the peer-reviewed journal Addiction has found that there “were no statistically significant changes in rates of emergency department visits and hospitalizations for motor vehicle or pedestrian/cyclist injury” following Canada legalizing marijuana.

Titled The effect of recreational cannabis legalization on rates of traffic injury in Canada, the study was published by researchers at St. Michael’s Hospital, the University of Toronto and the Toronto Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.

The aim of the study was to “measure the impact of Canada’s recreational cannabis legalization (RCL) in October 2018 and the subsequent impact of the COVID-19 lockdowns from March 2020 on rates of emergency department (ED) visits and hospitalizations for traffic injury.”
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Mar 13 2023

A Single Dose of CBD “Positively Influences Measures of Stress in Dogs During Separation and Car Travel”, Finds Study

A single dose of cannabidiol (CBD) “positively influences measures of stress in dogs during separation and car travel”, according to a new study published by the journal Frontiers in Veterinary Science.

Conducted by researchers at the Waltham Petcare Science Institute at Waltham on the Wolds, the study is titled A single dose of cannabidiol (CBD) positively influences measures of stress in dogs during separation and car travel. The full text of the study can be found by clicking here.

“Many dogs experience stress when separated from their caregivers, as well as when traveling in vehicles”, states the study. “Pet owners employ various approaches to managing these issues, from training, to giving medications and supplements, often with mixed results.”
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Mar 12 2023

Study: Medical Marijuana Use Doubled Between 2013 and 2020

The use of medical marijuana in the United States more than doubled between the 7-year period of 2013 to 2020.

The study, published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, notes that cannabis use for medical purposes is legalized across 39 states and the District of Columbia. The objective “was to evaluate temporal trends and correlates of cannabis use for medical purposes in the US.” The study was conducted by researchers at Yale School of Medicine, the Connecticut Healthcare System and the University of Connecticut School of Medicine.

The study found that the prevalence of U.S. residents using cannabis for medical purposes “increased significantly from 1.2% in 2013-2014 to 2.5% in 2019-2020.”
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Mar 12 2023

Colorado Made Nearly $25 million in Taxes From Marijuana Sales in February

According to the Colorado Department of Revenue the state garnered nearly $25 million in marijuana taxes in February.

In total the state made $24,752,691 in taxes from the legal distribution of marijuana and marijuana products in the month of February, roughly a million dollars more than the previous month despite there being just 28 days in the month. The total amount of marijuana taxes garnered in Colorado since the start of legal sales in 2014 now stands at $2,391,141,421.

In Colorado the excise tax on marijuana is set at 15%, which is on top of the 2.9% standard statewide sales tax. In addition to these taxes, localities have the option of implementing a city-wide tax of up to 3%.
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Mar 11 2023

Texas Committee Votes Unanimously to Decriminalize Marijuana

A key legislative committee in Texas has given approval to legislation that would decriminalize the possession of marijuana.

House Bill 218, filed by State Representative Joe Moody, was approved by the House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee in a unanimous 9 to 0 vote.

The measure would remove criminal penalties for the possession of up to one ounce of marijuana or marijuana concentrates such as hash and oil. Although the bill would not legalize marijuana, those caught with up to an ounce would, at most, be given a fine of up to $500 with no possibility of jail time.
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Mar 10 2023

Poll: 70% of Registered Florida Voters Want Marijuana Legalized

New polling out of Florida has found that among registered voters in the state 70% are in favor of legalizing recreational marijuana.

According to the poll, conducted by the Public Opinion Research Lab at the University of North Florida, just 29% of Florida voters oppose legalizing marijuana, with a shockingly low 1% undecided. The poll comes as the Smart & Safe Florida campaign collects signatures to place a legalization initiative on the November 2024 ballot. As of the last reporting the group has collected around 450,000 signatures of the nearly 900,000 that are required.
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Mar 09 2023

Delaware Senate Votes 15 to 1 to Urge Federal Government to Deschedule Marijuana

On the same day as Delaware’s House of Representatives voted in favor of establishing a legal marijuana market, Delaware’s Senate overwhelmingly approved a marijuana resolution of their own.

Senate Resolution 11, which “urges our federal delegation to support legislation to deschedule marijuana”, was passed by a vote of 15 to 1, with 4 members not voting.

In the resolution’s preamble, it states that marijuana is classified as a Schedule I drug, alongside Heroin, “though marijuana has many well documented medical uses.. and according to the National Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Medicine, modern medical research has confirmed the beneficial uses for marijuana in treating or alleviating the pain, nausea, and other symptoms associated with a variety of debilitating medical conditions, including cancer, multiple sclerosis, and HIV/AIDS”.
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Mar 09 2023

Delaware House Approves Bill to Establish Legal Marijuana Industry

Two days after the Delaware House of Representatives approved a bill to legalize the possession of marijuana the same chamber has passed a separate bill that would legalize a regulated system of marijuana retail outlets.

House Bill 2, filed by State Represenstive Ed Osienski, was passed by the full House by a vote of 27 to 13. This is almost identical to the 28 to 13 vote on House Bill 1 to legalize the possession of up to an ounce of marijuana. House Bill 2, which now heads to the Senate, would authorize marijuana to be sold to anyone 21 and older through licensed and regulated retail outlets which would be stocked by licensed producers. The Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Enforcement  would be charged with regulating the marijuana industry through a new Office of Marijuana Control Commissioner.

“It has been a long journey to get to this point. We have experienced setbacks along the way and none worse than losing business to New Jersey and we have learned a great deal and produced what we believe is a strong bill that will make Delaware an industry leader in this field”, says Representative Osienski.
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Mar 08 2023

Psilocybin Research Bill Passed by Washington State Senate

Legislation to create a task force explicitly designed to research psilocybin and create a pathway to legalization has been passed by the full Washington State Senate.

Psilocybin mushrooms.

Senate Bill 5263 was filed by Senator Jesse Salomon along with a coalition of 21 bipartisan cosponsors. The measure initially would have established a legal framework for supervised psilocybin use, but it was substantially altered in committee effectively turning it into a research bill. The measure would establish the Washington Psilocybin Advisory Board within the Department of Health.

“The legislature intends to establish an advisory board, interagency work group, and a task force to provide advice and recommendations on developing a comprehensive regulatory framework for access to regulated psilocybin for Washington residents who are at least 21 years of age”, states the text of the bill. The measure would “develop a long-term strategic plan for ensuring that psilocybin services become and remain a safe, accessible, and affordable option for all persons 21 years of age and older in this state for whom psilocybin may be appropriate.”  Continue reading

Mar 08 2023

Minnesota Marijuana Legalization Bill Passed by 12 of 14 House Committees

Minnesota’s House Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee has given approval to HF 100 to legalize marijuana, the 12th House Committee to do so.

HF 100 would allow those 21 and older to possess up to two ounces of marijuana and grow up to eight plants for personal use, in addition to establishing a regulatory framework for licensed retail marijuana outlets. The measure has now been passed by 12 House committees, out of the 14 necessary to put the measure to a vote by the full House of Representatives.

In addition to being passed by 12 House committees, a companion measure in the Senate (SF 73) has been passed by eight Senate Committees out of the 18 necessary to put it before the full Senate.
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