Apr 09 2023

Arkansas Legislature Passes Medical Marijuana Gun Rights Bill, Sending it to Governor

Arkansas legislation that would codify gun rights for medical marijuana patients has now been passed by the state’s full legislature, sending it to Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders.

House Bill 1784, which would amend the state’s gun laws to explicitly establish legal rights for medical marijuana patients, was passed by the full Senate on Friday by a vote of 26 to 3. The measure has already been passed by an 82 to 5 vote by the House of Representatives.

Although Governor Sanders has not given word on whether or not she will sign the measure into law or veto it,  it’s worth noting that the legislation passed with well more than enough votes to override an executive veto which can be done with a two-thirds majority.
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Apr 09 2023

Nevada: $70 Million in Legal Marijuana Sold in January, $11 Million in Taxes

Marijuana sales in Nevada were just above $70 million in January according to data released by the Nevada Department of Taxation.

The $70,254,611 in marijuana purchased in January resulted in $11,994,093 in tax revenue for the state and the localities within it. The tax revenue made in January was the highest since May, 2022 when the state garnered $12.5 million.

The sales data for January brings the total amount of marijuana sold in Nevada to $3.66 billion, and brings the total tax revenue made to $660 million.

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Apr 09 2023

In Maine Legal Marijuana Sales Passed $16 Million in March

In March legal marijuana retail outlets in Maine sold over $16 million in marijuana and marijuana products, the second highest month of the past 12.

Data released by Maine’s Office of Cannabis Policy shows that there was $16,622,537 in legal marijuana sales in March. Over the past 12 months only August saw more sales with $17,042,278.

The sales total for March brings the yearly total to $45,314,673, and the total since the start of legal sales in late 2020 to $290,442,617. Between January and March there was 764,333 total sales transactions at licensed marijuana stores, with there being 279,770 in March alone.
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Apr 08 2023

Over $80 Million in Legal Marijuana Sold in Oregon in March

There was $81 million in legal marijuana sold in March in Oregon.

In total Oregon sold $81,342,063 in March, a 10.4% increase from the month prior. This is according to data released by the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission.

The $81 million sold garnered $13.8 million in marijuana tax revenue, based on the state’s 17% marijuana tax rate. This doesn’t include any tax revenue obtained by cities who have established their own local tax.
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Apr 08 2023

Alaska Has Garnered Over $110 Million in Recreational Marijuana Taxes, 1.4 Million Ounces Sold

Alaska has brought in over $110 million in new tax revenue from marijuana and marijuana products purchased legally between January, 2017 and January, 2023.

Alaska voters legalized recreational marijuana for everyone 21 and older in 2015, with the first marijuana retail outlet opening their doors towards the end of the following year. Between 2017 and the end of 2022, Alaska garnered $113,212,190 in tax revenue from the marijuana industry, according to data released by the Alaska Department of Revenue. This doesn’t include the estimated $7 to 8 million already made so far in 2023.

Since the start of legal sales Alaska has sold almost 1.4 million ounces in dried marijuana flower, which doesn’t include products like trim and shake. This is despite Alaska having a population of less than 750,000 (only two other states, Wyoming and Vermont, have a smaller population).
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Apr 07 2023

Maryland Legislators Agree to Coalesce Marijuana Sales Bill

Lawmakers from Maryland’s House and Senate have reached concurrence on legislation that would establish rules and regulations for the state’s legal marijuana industry.

Last week Maryland’s Senate, in a 32 to 12 vote, passed a measure that would allow licensed marijuana sales to everyone 21 and older. Although Senate Bill 516 already passed the House of Representatives, the two chambers made slight amendments that resulted in the two version needing to be coalesced into one proposal.

Lawmakers were successful in accomplishing this as the House Economic Matters Committee and the Senate Finance Committee agreed on one unified measure. The legislation is expected to receive final votes in the House and Senate by Monday, the final day of the session.
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Apr 07 2023

Bipartisan Federal Bill Introduced to Allow Veterans Affairs Doctors to Recommend Medical Marijuana

U.S. Representatives Brian Mast (R-FL) and Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), along with 15 bipartisan cosponsors, have reintroduced the Veterans Equal Access Act (H.R. 2431).

The proposal would expand and facilitate medical cannabis access to military veterans suffering from chronic pain, PTSD, and other serious medical conditions by allowing physicians affiliated with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to recommend cannabis in compliance with state laws.

Under current law VA healthcare providers are prohibited from making medical cannabis recommendations, even in states where medical marijuana is legal. This forces veterans to receive recommendations from private and often costly physicians.
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Apr 07 2023

Texas Bill to Add Chronic Pain as Medical Marijuana Condition and Replace THC Cap Scheduled for House Vote

A legislative proposal to expand Texas’ medical marijuana program has been scheduled for a vote by the House of Representatives on Tuesday, April 11.

Last month the House Public Health Committee gave approval to House Bill 1805, sponsored by Representative Stephanie Klick. The proposal would add chronic pain “for which a physician would otherwise prescribe an opioid” to the state’s list of qualifying medical cannabis conditions. The measure would also replace the 1% cap on THC content by instead instituting a volumetric dose of 10mg, and it empowers the Department of State Health Services to add additional qualifying condition through an administrative process.

The legislation has now been scheduled for a vote by the full House of Representatives, which will occur on April 11. Passage in the House would send it to the Senate.
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Apr 07 2023

Arkansas Senate Committee Passes Bill to Codify Medical Marijuana Gun Rights

An Arkansas bill to codify gun rights for medical marijuana patients that’s already passed the House of Representatives has now been approved by a Senate committee.

The Senate Committee on City, County and Local Affairs has voted to advance legislation that would amend the state’s gun laws to explicitly establish legal rights for medical marijuana patients. House Bill 1784 has already been passed by an 82 to 5 vote in the House, and if it’s passed by the full Senate it will be sent to Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders. Even if Sanders opposes the measure there appears to be well more than the 2/3rds required to override an executive veto.

House Bill 1784 would alter Arkansas’ laws related to concealed carry licenses to state that officials “shall not consider a person’s status as a qualifying patient or designated caregiver under the Arkansas Medical Marijuana Amendment of 2016, Arkansas Constitution, Amendment 98, § 2, in determining whether an applicant is eligible to be issued a license to carry a concealed handgun under this subchapter.”
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Apr 06 2023

Missouri: $126 Million in Legal Marijuana Sold in March

Despite being just the second month of legal sales, there was over $90 million in recreational marijuana and marijuana products purchased in Missouri in March, with millions more in medical marijuana sales.

According to data released by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, there was $93.5 million in recreational marijuana sold at licensed retail outlets in March. There was also $32.7 million in medical marijuana sold during the same period, bringing the monthly total to $126.2 million.

This is roughly in line with the numbers seen in February, the first month of legal recreational marijuana distribution, with sales reaching $102.9 million between February 3 and February 28.
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