Sep 28 2024

Iowa Democrats Make Marijuana Legalization a Top Agenda Item for 2025

Iowa Democrats are making marijuana legalization a top priority for the 2025 legislative session.

As they work to increase their presence in the Iowa House, where they currently hold 36 out of 100 seats, Democrats are focusing on issues that resonate with a wide range of Iowans. At the forefront of this agenda is the push to legalize recreational marijuana, which, according to House Minority Leader Jennifer Konfrst, has the support of over 60% of Iowa’s population.

Konfrst emphasized that legalizing marijuana aligns with the desires of a majority of Iowans, not just Democrats. By advancing legislation to legalize marijuana for adult use, the party aims to address a reality where cannabis is already flowing into the state from neighboring Wisconsin and Illinois, where it is legal.
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Sep 27 2024

St. Louis Officials Vote to Extend Marijuana Store Hours as City Sees Surge in Marijuana Revenue

St. Louis officials have approved a plan to extend marijuana dispensary and retail outlet hours throughout the city. On Friday, the Board of Aldermen voted to allow such stores to remain open until 10 p.m., seven days a week.

The proposal was introduce by Alderman Rasheen Aldridge. Prior to the board’s vote, Aldridge noted the financial benefits since recreational marijuana became legal, with the city currently generating $2.4 million in annual revenue.

“Hopefully, extending hours to 10 p.m. will increase that amount, while also making St. Louis more competitive with the county,” Aldridge said.
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Sep 27 2024

Study: Cannabis Cream Reduces Chronic Kidney Disease-Related Itching in Hemodialysis Patients

A new double-blind, placebo-controlled trial published in Kidney Medicine found that a cannabis-containing cream significantly reduced itching in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) undergoing hemodialysis.

The study, conducted by researchers from Thammasat University in Thailand, involved 60 participants, all experiencing moderate to severe CKD-associated pruritus.

The participants were divided into two groups: one received the cannabis cream, while the other received a placebo. After four weeks, those using the cannabis cream experienced a notable reduction in itching severity. The average worst itching intensity numerical rating scale (WI-NRS) score dropped from 6.7 at the start of the study to 2.6. In comparison, the placebo group’s score dropped to 3.6. After adjusting for baseline differences, the cannabis group showed a statistically significant improvement over the placebo group, with a mean difference of -1.1 (P = 0.02).
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Sep 27 2024

GOP Senator Introduces Federal HEMP Act to Triple Allowable THC in Hemp

U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) has introduced the Hemp Economic Mobilization Plan (HEMP) Act, in an attempt to to address hemp farmers’ concerns “with federal overreach and bring clarity, transparency, and certainty to regulation”.

Hemp plants.

The HEMP Act amends the definition of “hemp” from 0.3 percent THC to 1 percent THC. It also requires testing of hemp-derived products rather than the hemp flower or plant itself.  Additionally, to help prevent legal hemp from being seized during transport, the bill requires that hemp shipments be accompanied by one of two easily accessible types of documentation.

“For years, I’ve led the fight in Washington to restore one of Kentucky’s most historically vital crops by legalizing industrial hemp”, said Senator Paul. “We achieved a hard-won victory, but there is still work to do to prevent the federal government from weighing down our farmers with unnecessary bureaucratic micromanaging. My legislation will help this growing industry reach its full economic potential and bring transparency to government regulations”.
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Sep 26 2024

Report Finds Marijuana Seed Market to Grow From $1.3 Billion in 2021 to $6.5 Billion in 2031

The global cannabis seed market is projected to undergo remarkable growth, increasing from $1.3 billion in 2021 and $2.15 billion in 2024, to an estimated $6.5 billion by 2031, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 18.4%.

This forecast, highlighted in a recent report by Allied Market Research, underscores a shift in consumer behavior driven by evolving legal frameworks worldwide.

The rising demand for cannabis seeds can be attributed largely to the modernization of laws permitting their sale and cultivation, states the report. A notable example is Germany, which began allowing adults to cultivate up to three cannabis plants in their homes on April 1, 2024. A YouGov poll shows that 7% of respondents have already bought cannabis seeds or clones since legalization, while another 11% plan to do so in the future. The resulting surge in demand has significantly boosted sales at seed banks across Europe.
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Sep 26 2024

US Senator Introduces Legislation to Regulate Hemp Products Nationwide

U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) has introduced the Cannabinoid Safety and Regulation Act (CSRA), a bill designed toto establish national standards to “protect public health and safety and keep cannabis products out of the hands of children”.

The CSRA would establish a national age restriction to prevent those under 21 from purchasing hemp-derived cannabis products, but it would not ban these products for those 21 and older.

The legislation would require that all hemp-derived products are tested for safety and are manufactured using clean and safe processes. The CSRA would require truth in labeling, and would require the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to recall or ban any cannabis products with dangerous chemicals or additives.
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Sep 26 2024

Minneapolis City Council Proposes Rules for Marijuana Businesses

The Minneapolis City Council has released proposed rules and restrictions for licensed marijuana businesses, as Minnesota moves forward with its recreational marijuana program.

The city is currently updating its zoning regulations in anticipation of issuing licenses for cannabis operations in the coming months, due to the state legalizing marijuana last year.

Under the proposed restrictions, dispensaries must be at least 500 feet from schools and other dispensaries. Additionally, cannabis businesses will not be permitted to grow plants outdoors, and there will be regulations in place concerning odors emitted from these operations. Cannabis manufacturing will be limited to commercial and mixed-use areas, similar to existing regulations for breweries.
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Sep 26 2024

Vice Presidential Candidate Tim Walz Says Marijuana Legalization is “An Issue for the States”

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, the Democratic vice presidential nominee, said in a recent interview that legalizing marijuana is a states rights issue.

(Photo credit: Andrew Harnik / Getty Images).

Walz, who made history as the first top-ticket candidate from a major party to sign an adult-use legalization bill into law, told Spectrum News that he views legalization as a “state issue.”

When directly asked whether marijuana should be legalized at the federal level, Walz said “Well, I think it’s an issue for states on some of those, and that’s the way the states have done it,” after addressing supporters at a Saturday rally in Superior, Wisconsin.
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Sep 26 2024

The States Most Likely to Legalize Recreational Marijuana Within the Next 12 Months

Momentum for marijuana legalization continues to build across the U.S., with several states nearing the point of legalizing recreational cannabis.

Currently, 24 states have already embraced the legalization of recreational marijuana, but many others are making significant progress toward joining them. Some states have active legislative discussions, while others have voters gearing up to vote for legalization this November.

Considering recent legislative moves, growing political backing, and key ballot proposals, here are 10 states most likely to legalize recreational marijuana in the near future.
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Sep 26 2024

Kentucky Issues First-Ever Medical Marijuana License

Governor Andy Beshear announced Thursday that KCA Labs in Nicholasville will receive Kentucky’s first-ever medical marijuana license.

KCA Labs, a safety compliance facility already testing hemp and other natural products, will now be responsible for testing all cannabis products before they reach patients.

“I’m proud that the first license is going to a facility focused on safety. Our Office of Medical Cannabis has implemented strict regulations, and with KCA, we ensure that Kentucky’s medical cannabis will meet the highest medical standards,” said Beshear.
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