After years of development, Contempo Specialty Packaging has succeeded in innovating the world’s first child-resistant and plastic-free cigarette/joint box.

“Traditional cigarette boxes often feature a flip-top design, which, during child-resistant testing, can be vulnerable to tearing”, note a press release, sent today. “These weak points make it easier for children to open the box and access the contents. Contempo’s new design addresses this issue by offering a durable, secure, and plastic-free structure that passes rigorous child-resistant testing, ensuring both safety and reliability.”

This breakthrough “provides cannabis producers and retailers with a safer, more sustainable packaging solution for their products in a familiar package style that consumers love”, notes the company.
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A newly released economic report reveals that the hemp industry is a major contributor to the Texas economy, generating $5.5 billion in annual sales with an estimated tax revenue of $268 million.

Hemp field.

Developed by Whitney Economics, the report finds that “in 2025, retail revenue reached $4.3 billion, up from $3.3 billion in 2023, highlighting sustained consumer demand.” Total employment in the hemp industry “grew to 53,300 jobs in 2025, an increase of 3,200 from 50,100 in 2023”, according to a press release sent today.

The report found that industry-wide wages rose to $2.1 billion in 2025, up from $1.6 billion in 2023, with hourly pay increasing across all sectors.
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West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey has signed into law a bill that bans the sale of foods containing certain artificial dyes as well as the food additives butylated hydroxyanisole and propylparaben.

House Bill 2354, which officially takes effect on August 1, prohibits the sale of food products containing Red 3, Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1, Blue 2, and Green 3. These dyes are commonly used in a variety of processed foods, candies, and beverages. The measure also bans the sale of foods containing butylated hydroxyanisole and propylparaben.

HB 2354, which also explicitly prohibit these substances from being used in school nutrition programs, was given overwhelming approval in both the House (93 to 5) and Senate (31 to 2), indicating strong bipartisan support.
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Oklahoma’s full Senate has given approval to legislation that would establish gun right protections for medical cannabis patients.

Oklahoma’s Senate voted 45 to 0 last week to pass Senate Bill 39, sending it to the House of Representatives for consideration. The measure received its first reading in the House today.

Filed by Senator Julie Daniels, the proposal would prohibit individuals from being automatically disqualified from obtaining a handgun license solely based on their status as a medical cannabis patient.
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A group of eight Minnesota lawmakers has introduced House Bill 2699, which would decriminalize the personal use, cultivation, and possession of psilocybin.

Dried psilocybin mushrooms.

The bill, filed today, has been referred to the House Health Finance and Policy Committee for further review.

Under House File 2699, those 21 and older would be allowed to cultivate psilocybin mushrooms for personal use, possess up to a one-year supply, and share small amounts with other adults without financial exchange. The bill also includes provisions to establish a Psychedelic Medicine Board, which would oversee the implementation of new policies, determine possession limits, and ensure harm reduction practices.

The legislation explicitly prohibits psilocybin use in public places, schools, or while operating a motor vehicle. It also includes employment and housing protections for users, preventing discrimination based on lawful psilocybin use.
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Legislation to allow licensed marijuana retailers to provide free samples at cannabis-related events was filed today in the House of Representatives, a day after an identical bill was filed in the Senate.

House Bill 2716 was filed today by State Representative Andrew Smith (D), with cosponsors Reps. Pete Johnson (D), Ethan Cha (D), and Nolan West (R). The measure has been referred to Commerce Finance and Policy Committee.

Senate Bill 2890 was filed yesterday with bipartisan support by Senator Zach Duckworth (R) and Senator David Dibble (D). The bill has been referred to the Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee.
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A legislative proposal that would legalize recreational marijuana in North Carolina gained three new sponsors today, bringing the total number of lawmakers backing the effort to 24.

Senators Sophia Chitlik (D), Kandie Smith (D), and Caleb Theodros (D) have joined as sponsors of Senate Bill 350, known as the Marijuana Justice and Reinvestment Act, bringing the total number of Senate sponsors to seven. The House version, House Bill 413, was introduced last week by six Democratic lawmakers and has since gained 11 additional sponsors, bringing its total to 17.

The legislation would legalize marijuana possession for adults 21 and older, making North Carolina the 25th state to do so. The proposal would allow for possession of up to two ounces of marijuana, 15 grams of concentrates, and products containing up to 2,000 milligrams of THC. It also includes provisions for home cultivation of up to six plants.
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Qualla Enterprises, LLC, and Great Smoky Cannabis Company announced today “a historic collaboration with the Cherokee Indian Police Department (CIPD) to establish a new K-9 program”.

“Aimed at addressing critical needs in drug detection while aligning with modern cannabis policies, this initiative underscores our commitment to supporting community safety and innovation”, states a press release sent today. “Recognizing the challenges faced by law enforcement in the region, including limited funding for K-9 programs and the evolving landscape of cannabis legalization, Qualla Enterprises is funding the purchase of a specially trained K-9 for the CIPD.”

Unlike traditional police dogs, this new K-9 will be trained to detect hard drugs, such as opioids and methamphetamines, while deliberately excluding cannabis detection from its repertoire.
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