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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Sep 26 2024

Study: Cannabistilbene I Shows Potential to Reduce Angiotensin II-Induced Cardiac Hypertrophy

A study published in the peer reviewed journal Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research and available online through the U.S. National Library of Medicine explores the effects of Cannabistilbene I (a compound found in cannabis) on Angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced cardiac hypertrophy.

The research, conducted by a team at the University of Alberta, examined how Cannabistilbene I influences cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes and arachidonic acid (AA) metabolic pathways, both of which play crucial roles in heart function and hypertrophy. The study is titled Effect of Cannabistilbene I in Attenuating Angiotensin II-Induced Cardiac Hypertrophy: Insights into Cytochrome P450s and Arachidonic Acid Metabolites Modulation.

Cardiac hypertrophy is a condition in which the heart muscle enlarges due to stress, potentially leading to severe cardiovascular diseases. Therapeutic interventions targeting the underlying mechanisms, such as CYP enzymes and AA metabolites, could offer new ways to manage or prevent this condition.
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Sep 26 2024

Study Finds Tobacco Use Associated With Higher Risk of Surgical Site Infection, But Not Marijuana

A newly published study has found that tobacco use is linked to a significantly higher risk of developing surgical site infections (SSIs) after orthopedic surgery, whereas marijuana use does not increase the risk.

Published in Psychological Trauma and conducted by researchers from the University of California San Diego and Loma Linda University Health, the retrospective cohort study investigated whether smoking marijuana raises the likelihood of SSIs following open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) of fractures. The research focused on 4,802 adult patients treated for closed fractures at a Level 1 trauma center in Southern California between January 2009 and December 2021.

The study revealed that 24% of the patients were current marijuana users, while the rest did not use marijuana. During the follow-up period of at least six months, 75 patients (1.6%) developed surgical site infections. Multivariate analysis showed that factors such as longer operative times (OR 1.002), diabetic status (OR 2.084), and current tobacco use (OR 2.493) were all linked to a higher risk of infection. However, marijuana use was not found to be associated with an increased risk of SSI (OR 0.678, P = 0.48).
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Sep 25 2024

In North Carolina, Tribal Marijuana Store Sees Thriving Sales and No Arrests After Nearly Three Weeks Open to Everyone 21+

Nearly three weeks after opening its doors to everyone 21 and older, the Great Smoky Cannabis Company in Cherokee, North Carolina, continues to see impressive sales, with no arrests of patrons or employees reported.

A line of people waiting to pickup their online order at The Great Smoky Cannabis Company.

Situated on the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians’ tribal land, the store has attracted thousands of visitors since September 7, offering a diverse selection of marijuana products to adults 21 and older, regardless of tribal membership or medical status.

Prior to the store opening, many within the community feared that police would setup checkpoints outside tribal land, or pull over and search those they see leaving the marijuana store. Despite these fears, and despite marijuana remaining illegal for all uses in all other parts of North Carolina, no arrests have been made in connection with purchases from the store, and local law enforcement has not interfered.
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Sep 25 2024

Study: Psilocybin Experiences “Increase Mind Perception but Do Not Alter Atheist-Believer Status”, Johns Hopkins Study Shows

Researchers at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine have conducted a longitudinal study exploring how psilocybin experiences impact people’s beliefs about mind perception and their spiritual or metaphysical views.

Dried psilocybin mushrooms.

Published recently in the Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, the study involved 657 participants who planned to have a psilocybin experience outside a clinical setting.

Participants were surveyed before and after their experiences, with questions focused on mind perception (the ability to attribute consciousness or mental states to entities like animals, plants, or even inanimate objects), as well as their broader metaphysical and religious beliefs, including Atheist-Believer status.
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Sep 25 2024

Maryland Collected Over $22 Million in Marijuana Taxes in Q2 2024, a 52% Increase from Q1.

According to data released by the Comptroller of Maryland, the state  collected over $22.3 million in tax revenue from licensed marijuana sales between April and June of this year.

The marijuana tax revenue garnered in the second quarter of this year marks a 52% increase from the previous quarter.

In Maryland, marijuana sales taxes are broken down by region. Central Maryland generated $11,344,469 in tax revenue, making up the largest portion of the total. The Western region followed with $3,871,696, while the Capital region contributed $3,202,851. The Eastern region reported $3,064,398 in sales taxes, and Southern Maryland brought in $873,597, the lowest amount among the regions.
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Sep 25 2024

FBI Says Nearly One in Four Drug-Related Arrests Are for Marijuana Possession

According to data released by the US Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Crime Data Explorer, law enforcement made over 200,000 marijuana-related arrests in 2023, representing nearly a quarter of all drug-related arrests.

The updated database reveals at least 217,150 arrests for marijuana violations in 2023, a slight drop from the 227,108 arrests reported in 2022. Notably, 84 percent (200,306) of those arrested last year faced possession charges only.

This number is likely an underestimate due to gaps in reporting. In 2022, 17% of agencies — representing 25% of the US population — failed to submit data. In 2023, the FBI received reports from agencies covering over 90 percent of the population.
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Sep 24 2024

Legal Marijuana States Recorded Nearly $2 Billion in Combined Sales for August

The legal marijuana industry continues to flourish just weeks before three states consider joining the list of legal marijuana states.

Currently 24 states allow legal marijuana possession, with 23 allowing licensed sales (Virginia is the only exception). Of these states, all but Minnesota and Delaware have stores currently open, with those two states expected to have recreational marijuana retail outlets opened next year.

In August, most (but not all) states with licensed marijuana stores have reported sales data for August. Combined, these states recorded $1.955 billion in sales, a new monthly record. This data includes the sale of dried marijuana, as well as marijuana products such as edibles, tinctures, topicals and concentrates, The sale of paraphernalia such as pipes and bongs is not included in this data.
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