Apr 23 2025

U.S. Cannabis Industry’s Economic Impact to Hit $123.6 Billion in 2025, $241 Billion by 2031

The total economic impact of the U.S. cannabis industry is expected to nearly double over the next six years, from $123 billion to $241 billion, according to new data released by MJBizDaily.

In 2025, the industry is projected to contribute $123.6 billion to the U.S. economy, with $35.3 billion coming from retail sales and the remaining $88.3 billion representing additional economic activity such as supply chain operations and job creation. By 2031, that total impact is forecasted to climb to $241.7 billion, including $69.1 billion in retail sales.

Each year shows steady growth, with the total impact increasing to $137.2 billion in 2026, $153.6 billion in 2027, and reaching $194.4 billion by 2029. The data indicates that retail sales are projected to grow in tandem, rising from $35.3 billion in 2025 to over $62 billion by 2030 before hitting $69.1 billion the following year.
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Apr 23 2025

Harvard Study: Psychedelics Can Reverse Fear Behavior by Targeting Brain-Immune Pathways

A new study published in Nature by researchers at Harvard Medical School has found that psychedelic compounds can reduce stress-induced fear responses by altering neuroimmune activity in the brain.

The research highlights a mechanism in which astrocytes—cells in the amygdala involved in emotional processing—help regulate fear through the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). The study found that EGFR expression in these cells inhibits a pro-inflammatory signaling cascade that, if left unchecked, leads to greater interaction between neurons and glial cells. This process contributes to heightened fear behavior during psychological stress, mediated by the nuclear receptor NR2F2 in amygdala neurons.

Chronic stress was shown to decrease EGFR activity and increase the infiltration of monocytes into the brain’s meninges, which was associated with increased fear behavior. However, administration of psychedelic drugs reversed both the monocyte accumulation and the observed behavioral changes.
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Apr 22 2025

Washington Governor Signs Bill Extending Collective Bargaining Rights to Cannabis Farm Workers

Governor Bob Ferguson today signed House Bill 1141, making Washington one of the only states to guarantee collective bargaining protections for the thousands of employees who plant, harvest, trim, cure and sort marijuana on licensed farms.

The measure cleared the Senate last week on a 29 to 20 vote after passing the House in March, 55 to 40. With the governor’s signature, agricultural cannabis workers will now fall under the jurisdiction of the Public Employment Relations Commission, gaining the same organizing and contract-negotiation rights long afforded to workers in other industries.

Under the new law, eligible employees can choose a bargaining representative, bring unfair-labor-practice complaints before the commission and seek binding arbitration when contract talks stall. Supervisors and managers with hiring or disciplinary authority remain excluded, and standalone processing facilities are covered only if they operate on the same premises as a licensed grow.
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Apr 22 2025

Hawaii Department of Health Issues 25th Medical Marijuana Dispensary License—Here’s Where They’re All Located

Hawaii’s Department of Health (DOH) has licensed the state’s 25th medical cannabis dispensary.

O‘ahu.

Last week the DOG issued a formal notice to proceed for Mānoa Botanicals, LLC dba Noa Botanicals after it passed its final on-site inspection for its fourth retail facility. Noa Botanicals’ new retail site is located at 345 Royal Hawaiian Ave., Honolulu, HI 96815, and the company expects to begin sales on Saturday, April 19, 2025.

Noa Botanicals’ Honolulu location will be Oʻahu’s 11th retail dispensary and the 25th retail dispensary for the state. As of Feb. 28, 2025, a total of 29,820 in-state patients and 2,525 caregivers were registered statewide, including 14,661 patients and 1,440 caregivers on Oʻahu. The primary reported condition for registered adult patients is severe pain. The primary reported conditions for patients under 18 are severe pain, post-traumatic stress disorder and seizures.
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Apr 22 2025

Study: Cannabidiol Found Safe and Effective for Children With Drug-Resistant Epilepsy

A new study published in the journal Indian Pediatrics finds that cannabidiol (CBD) can be an effective and well-tolerated treatment for children with drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE), including those with Lennox-Gastaut and Dravet syndromes.

Researchers from the Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health reviewed the medical records of 50 children with DRE who had been treated with CBD for at least six months. The average age of the participants was 7.8 years.

The study found that eight children became completely seizure-free while on CBD. In total, 10 had a complete response to treatment, 18 had a partial reduction in seizure frequency, and 14 showed either modest or no significant improvement. Of the 50 participants, eight discontinued the treatment—four due to lack of efficacy, three due to increased side effects, and one because seizures worsened.
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Apr 22 2025

Montana Passes $1 Billion in Legal Cannabis Sales Since 2022

Montana’s legal marijuana market has officially surpassed $1 billion in total sales, following more than $26 million in sales in March.

According to data released by the Montana Department of Revenue, legal marijuana sales reached $26,582,252 in March. Of March’s total, the vast majority—$23,264,823—came from recreational marijuana, while medical marijuana sales accounted for $3,317,430.

The new figures bring Montana’s all-time legal marijuana sales to $1,023,210,727 since the launch of recreational sales in January 2022. Of this total, $812,180,749 has come from recreational marijuana and $211,029,978 from medical marijuana.
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Apr 22 2025

Maryland Governor Signs Bill Legalizing Home Production of Cannabis Concentrates and Expanding Resentencing Options

Maryland Governor Wes Moore today signed into law legislation that legalizes the personal production of cannabis concentrates and edibles, while also enabling individuals to seek reduced sentences for certain marijuana-related offenses.

The new law (House Bill 413) allows those 21 and older to manufacture a personal use amount of cannabis products or concentrates at a private residence, as long as the process does not involve the use of volatile solvents. In addition to concentrates, the law explicitly allows individuals to make their own cannabis edibles.

The measure also reduces the penalty for producing more than 50 pounds of cannabis concentrates or edibles. Under the new statute, the offense is now classified as a misdemeanor rather than a felony, eliminating the previously mandatory minimum sentence of five years.
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Apr 22 2025

Cannabidiol (CBD) Therapy Could Reduce Symptoms In Autistic Children And Teenagers, Finds Study

New research presented at the 2025 European Congress of Psychiatry reveals that the use of cannabidiol (CBD)-heavy cannabis extract can lead to meaningful benefits and improve the behavior of children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

ASD affects approximately 1 in 100 children around the world and symptoms can include difficult language, difficulty expressing emotions, and repetitive behavior around routines.

The meta-analysis included randomized, placebo-controlled trials on the efficacy or safety of CBD cannabis extracts in children and adolescents with ASD. These studies were used in total with 276 participants with a mean age of 10.5, ranging in ages from 5 to 21. The dosage of CBD cannabis extract started at 1 mg/kg per day and was titrated up to 10 mg/kg.

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Apr 22 2025

Psilocybin Therapy May Reduce Cancer-Related Depression and Distress, Finds Mayo Clinic Study

According to a new study from Mayo Clinic researchers, psilocybin therapy may help ease psychological suffering in cancer patients.

A new systematic review published in the journal Palliative & Supportive Care finds that psilocybin-assisted therapy may significantly reduce symptoms of psychological and existential distress in people with life-threatening cancer. The review was conducted by researchers at the Mayo Clinic and highlights consistent improvements across multiple studies.

The review analyzed 14 studies in total, including three randomized controlled trials, five open-label trials, five qualitative studies, and one case report. Across these studies, psilocybin—administered with therapeutic support—was shown to reduce depression, anxiety, and existential distress. In many cases, these benefits were sustained for several months following treatment.
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Apr 21 2025

Ohio: Legal Marijuana Transactions Surpass 25 Million

Ohio has officially recorded more than 25 million legal marijuana transactions since the launch of its medical cannabis market in 2019.

According to new data released today by the Ohio Division of Cannabis Control, there have been 25,095,944 total transactions in the state’s regulated marijuana system as of April 19. That figure includes both medical and recreational sales.

Since medical marijuana sales began in January 2019, Ohio has logged over 18.7 million medical cannabis transactions. Since the start of the adult-use market in August, 2024, recreational sales have accounted for 6,371,787 transactions.
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