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.
Continue reading

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.
Continue reading

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.
Continue reading

Sep 24 2024

Oregon Continues to Offer the Lowest Legal Marijuana Prices in the U.S., and It’s Not Close

Oregon continues to have the cheapest legal marijuana prices in the United States, and it’s not particularly close.

According to data recently released by the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission, the average price per gram of dried marijuana flower sold via licensed marijuana stores is $3.75 per gram. This is considerably lower than the average price of every other legal marijuana state. For example, second on the list of cheapest legal marijuana prices is Massachusetts with an average of $5.06 per gram, a 35% difference.

Rounding out the top five, Washington, Michigan and Maine all have prices of around $7 per gram, during double Oregon’s average price.
Continue reading

Sep 24 2024

California: Three Significant Marijuana-Related Bills Await Decision by Governor Newsom, With September 30 Deadline

Governor Gavin Newsom has until September 30 to decide on three significant marijuana-related bills that could reshape the state’s marijuana industry.

If the governor does not sign the three bills into law, or veto them, by September 30, they will automatically become law. To this date, neither Governor Newsom or anyone within his campaign has indicated what actions he will take.

The three bills include:
Continue reading

Sep 24 2024

Poll: 49% of Marijuana Consumers Support Kamala Harris for President, 44% Support Trump

A new poll by The Marijuana Herald shows that while Kamala Harris leads among marijuana consumers for the presidency, no candidate has a majority of support.

The poll, which included 1,000 participants from all 50 states, indicates that more marijuana consumers support Vice President Kamala Harris over former President Donald Trump, but the race is tight.

Out of over 4,000 total respondents, the results were narrowed down to 1,000 who met the following criteria:
Continue reading

Sep 24 2024

DEA Proposes Significantly Increasing Production of Psilocybin, Psilocyn and Ibogaine

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has proposed a substantial increase in the production quotas for psilocybin, psilocyn, and ibogaine for research purposes.

Dried psilocybin.

The agency’s revised quotas for Schedule I and II controlled substances are aimed at supporting clinical trials and research efforts. In its revised 2024 quotas, the DEA is proposing to increase the production of psilocybin from 20,000 grams to 30,000 grams and psilocyn from 24,000 grams to 36,000 grams, in addition to increasing the production of ibogaine from 150 grams to 210 grams. These elevated levels are expected to continue into 2025.

The proposal to change the 2024 quotas, and to extend them into 2025, was published in the Federal Register, a legal requirement.
Continue reading

Sep 24 2024

Breakthrough Study Finds Psilocybin May Alleviate Symptoms of Body Dysmorphic Disorder

According to the results of a new pilot trial study, psilocybin may serve as a potential treatment option for those suffering from body dysmorphic disorder.

Psilocybin mushrooms.

Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is a severe mental health condition marked by an obsessive focus on perceived flaws in one’s appearance. Individuals with BDD often experience a distorted self-image, intrusive thoughts, and compulsive behaviors that can severely disrupt daily life and well-being. Unfortunately, existing treatments have limited success, leaving many without adequate relief.

According to the new study conducted by researchers at Columbia University and published in the journal Psychedelics, psilocybin may change connectivity of brain circuitry, potentially aiding in the treatment of this debilitating disorder.
Continue reading

Sep 24 2024

Here Are the Six States Voting on Marijuana Initiatives This November

November 5 is shaping up to be a historic day for marijuana law reform, with six states considering various marijuana proposals.

This November, voters in three states could legalize recreational marijuana, while one state will vote on medical marijuana legalization. Another state will consider a significant expansion of its medical marijuana law, and one state will vote on a first-of-its-kind bill to protect unionizing marijuana workers.

Below is a deeper look at these six proposals.
Continue reading

Sep 24 2024

Rolling Papers Company Sets World Record for Most Joints Lit at One Time

On Saturday, prolific rolling paper brand OCB (founded in 1918) successfully set a world record for the most joints lit at once.

Santa Rosa, California, September 21: An attendee as OCB Rolling Papers sets a world record for the most joints lit at one time (photo credit: Kimberly White/Getty Images for OCB).

This event took place in Santa Rosa, California at Hall of Flowers, an iconic trade show and festival with 7,000 participants who simultaneously sparked up at precisely 4:20 p.m.

The record-setting smoke session “brought flower fanatics from all walks of life together at Sonoma County’s fairgrounds to celebrate the art and craft of rolling, with OCB ambassadors on hand to distribute the brand’s premium papers and offer pro tips”, according to a press release. Aerial drones hovered above the crowd to capture the sheer scale of the feat.
Continue reading