Feb 02 2025

Florida Medical Marijuana Sales Hit $160 Million in January, Highest Since May 2024

Florida’s medical marijuana industry recorded $160,654,639 in sales in January 2025, marking the highest monthly total since May 2024.

According to data released today by the research firm Headset, January was the first month since May where medical marijuana sales in Florida topped $160 million. Florida remains by far the nation’s largest medical marijuana market.

Dried marijuana flower was the top-selling product in January, followed by vape pens, edibles, concentrates, tinctures, capsules, and topicals.
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Feb 02 2025

Study: Nanotechnology-Enhanced CBD Delivery Shows Promise for Retinal Neuroprotection

A study published in the European Journal of Pharmacology found that CBD, delivered using nanotechnology, provided neuroprotective effects in an animal model of retinal excitotoxicity.

Researchers from the University of Catania, University of Crete, University of Enna, and University of Campania, all in Italy, examined CBD’s effects in rats with retinal damage induced by α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA). When co-injected intravitreally with AMPA, CBD reduced retinal shrinkage and preserved amacrine cells. It also decreased markers of inflammation and oxidative stress, including cleaved caspase-3, Iba-1, and nitrotyrosine-positive cells.

Due to CBD’s low solubility, the researchers developed a nanostructured lipid carrier (NLC) formulation to enhance its ocular bioavailability. Among the tested formulations, CBD-NLC3 demonstrated optimal physicochemical properties and, when applied topically, successfully delivered CBD to the retina. A single administration resulted in a retinal concentration of 98 ± 25.9 ng/mg within 60 minutes.
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Feb 02 2025

Colorado Bill Would Ban Marijuana With Over 10% THC for Those Under 26, Prohibit Psilocybin Edibles

A bipartisan bill introduced in Colorado would prohibit the sale of certain marijuana products to adults under 26 and ban the production of psilocybin edibles for use in the state’s psychedelic-assisted therapy industry.

Senate Bill 76, sponsored by State Senators Judith Amabile (D) and Byron Pelton (R), along with State Representative Kyle Brown (D), proposes new regulations on marijuana potency, labeling, and psilocybin product restrictions. The bill has been referred to the Senate Business, Labor, & Technology Committee.

As written, SB 25-076 would prevent individuals aged 21 to 25 from purchasing recreational marijuana with a potency exceeding 10% THC, as well as inhalable products containing added flavors, including terpenes. These restrictions would apply to dispensaries and marijuana hospitality establishments. The bill also includes new labeling requirements based on THC content and would limit inhalable marijuana product packaging to 500 milligrams.
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Jan 31 2025

Virginia House of Delegates Approves Bill Updating Medical Marijuana Labeling and Expanding Delivery

The Virginia House of Delegates has approved House Bill 1989, a measure that updates labeling requirements for medical marijuana products and expands delivery options for registered patients.

Filed on January 7 by Delegate Alex Askew (D), the bill advanced through the General Laws Committee with a 19-3 vote on January 28, and today was approved by the House of Delegates through its second reading. Once approved through a third and final reading, it will be sent to the state’s Senate for consideration.

If enacted, the bill would require pharmaceutical processors to provide more detailed labeling on medical marijuana products, including:
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Jan 31 2025

Maryland Governor Proposes 66% Marijuana Tax Increase, Poll Finds 60% of Voters Support

Maryland Governor Wes Moore has proposed a series of budget-balancing tax increases, including increasing the tax rate on licensed marijuana sales.

Governor Moore is proposing an increase in the state’s marijuana excise tax from 9%, to 15%, marking an increase of 66%.

Despite such a significant increase, it appears that a strong majority of voters approve the move. According to a recent Washington Post – University of Maryland poll, 60% of voters in the state support the move, with 34% opposed and 6% unsure. This was tied for the most popular among Governor Moore’s proposals.
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Jan 31 2025

Bastrop, Texas City Council Overturns Voter-Approved Marijuana Decrim Law

The Bastrop City Council has voted to overturn a voter-approved ordinance that would have decriminalized marijuana possession, making it the only one of 11 ballot measures rejected by the council.

Bastrop, Texas.

In November, Bastrop residents overwhelmingly approved the initiative, which would have prevented arrests and criminal charges for possessing up to four ounces of marijuana. Instead, individuals caught with small amounts would have faced a civil infraction similar to a traffic ticket. Despite this strong voter support, with 70% in favor, the City Council voted 3-2 to reject the measure, reversing the decision made by the electorate in the city of approximately 11,000 people.

The ordinance was part of a broader movement across Texas, with similar decriminalization measures passing in multiple cities, including Lockhart and Dalas. In previous years, cities like San Marcos, Killeen, Elgin, Denton, and Harker Heights have adopted similar policies. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has actively sought to challenge them in court, but his lawsuits have already been thrown out in two cities.
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Jan 31 2025

Washington Senate Committee Schedules Public Hearing on Bill to Legalize Medical Psilocybin

Senate Bill 5201, legislation that would establish a regulated psilocybin therapy program in Washington State, has been scheduled for a public hearing in the Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care at 8:00 AM on February 6.

Psilocybin mushrooms.

Introduced by Senator Jesse Salomon with support from eight cosponsors, the bill would create a structured framework allowing licensed facilitators to administer psilocybin in supervised settings. The Washington State Department of Health would oversee the program, with input from a newly formed Psychedelic Substances Board responsible for developing licensing requirements and safety protocols.

The proposed model is similar to Oregon’s existing psilocybin therapy system, aiming to provide treatment options for individuals suffering from conditions like depression, anxiety, and PTSD.
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Jan 31 2025

RFK Jr. Says He Will Defer to DEA on Marijuana Rescheduling if Confirmed as HHS Secretary

RFK Jr. says he will leave the decision on marijuana rescheduling to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) if confirmed as secretary of HHS.

When asked by Elizabeth Warren (D)  “Do you commit to working with the DOJ and DEA to swiftly resume proceedings on the scheduling of marijuana (which are currently paused)?”

RFK Jr. responded: “I defer to the DOJ and DEA on the allocation of their resources and the development of their priorities. Consistent with all applicable laws, I will ensure that HHS’s expertise is available to assist those agencies as needed.” He goes on to say that “if an assessment backed by robust evidence concludes that marijuana has accepted medical uses, I have no reason to question that assessment.”
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Jan 31 2025

Montana Committee Overwhelmingly Approves Resolution Endorsing Federal SAFER Banking Act

A resolution urging the federal government to approve marijuana banking legislation has been approved by the Montana’s Senate Business, Labor, and Economic Affairs Committee.

Senate Joint Resolution 5 was approved by the committee today by a vote of 9 to 2, indicating strong bipartisan support.

The resolution urges federal lawmakers to pass the SAFER Banking Act, which would allow banks and other financial institutions to serve state-legal marijuana businesses, enabling these businesses to move away from a risky cash-only model. The measure would also grant them access to banking services such as lines of credit and allow them to claim standard IRS tax deductions.
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Jan 31 2025

Connecticut Lawmakers to Hold Public Hearing on Minimum Wage Rules for Marijuana Industry Workers

House Bill 6842, which would ensure that employees at cannabis establishments receive at least the state’s minimum fair wage, has been scheduled for a public hearing on February 6 in the Joint Committee on Labor and Public Employees.

The bill, introduced in the Connecticut House of Representatives by the chair of the House Labor and Public Employees Committee, clarifies that cannabis industry employees must be paid the full minimum wage and that employers cannot count gratuities toward that wage. While some industries, such as restaurants and hospitality, are allowed to apply tips toward meeting minimum wage requirements, HB 6842 explicitly prevents marijuana businesses from doing the same.

The legislation states that “nothing in this section, or any regulation adopted pursuant to this section, shall be construed to require the Labor Commissioner to recognize, as part of the minimum fair wage, gratuities in an amount equal to the difference between the minimum fair wage and the employer’s share for persons who are employed at a cannabis establishment.” It defines “cannabis establishment” based on the existing legal definition in Section 21a-420 of Connecticut law.
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