Dec 29 2024

Study: Recreational Marijuana Legalization Linked to Reduction in Opioid Deaths

A new study reveals that legalizing recreational marijuana may cut opioid-related deaths by an average of 3.5 per 100,000 residents.

The research, based on state-level data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, found the most significant impact in states that legalized marijuana earlier in the opioid crisis. According to the study, the decline in overdose deaths was immediate in these states and grew stronger over time, persisting for at least five years.

Researchers from multiple institutions, including Texas Tech University, New Mexico State University, and the American Institute for Economic Research, observed similar trends in states that legalized marijuana more recently, though the effects typically appeared three years after legalization, coinciding with the development of dispensary infrastructure.
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Dec 29 2024

Study: 3D-Printed CBD Suppositories Show Promise in Treating Epilepsy

Researchers from the Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine have found that cannabidiol (CBD)-loaded hollow suppositories using 3D printing technology may be effective in treating epilepsy.

3D-printed CBD suppository.

Published in the International Journal of Pharmaceutics, the study highlights the limitations of traditional oral CBD formulations, which often face significant first-pass metabolic effects, reducing their efficacy. The newly designed suppository, referred to as CHS (cannabidiol-loaded hollow suppository), features an inner supporting spring and an outer CBD-loaded hollow shell.

The spring was created using 3D-printed thermoplastic urethane filaments, while the shell was crafted with a metal mold filled with a mixture of CBD, polyvinyl alcohol, and polyethylene glycol. Laboratory tests showed that CHS provided a sustained release of CBD over five hours, allowing effective systemic delivery.
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Dec 29 2024

Florida Medical Marijuana Sales Top $155 Million in November, Nearly $1.7 Billion So Far in 2024

Florida’s medical marijuana industry remains strong, with $155.4 million in sales reported for November.

This figure, provided by the research firm Headset, represents a 26% increase from the $122.6 million recorded in October. Year-to-date sales have reached approximately $1.67 billion, with March leading the way at $173 million.

Dried marijuana flower remained by far the most popular category of medical marijuana purchases in November, followed by vape pens, edibles, concentrates, tinctures, capsules, and topicals.
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Dec 29 2024

Arkansas: $24 Million in Medical Marijuana Sold in November, Over $250 Million Year-to-Date

Medical marijuana sales in Arkansas remained strong in November.

According to data released by the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, there was $24 million worth of medical marijuana sold in November, despite the state having just 37 dispensaries. This comes out to an average of around $650,000 per dispensary.

The year-to-date total for marijuana sales is now $251.9 million, roughly on part with but slightly less than the $258 million sold between January and November 2023.
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Dec 28 2024

The States Most Likely to Legalize Marijuana in 2025

24 states have legalized recreational marijuana, but that number is poised to grow in 2025.

In 2025, several states are on track to put forth serious efforts to become the 25th legal marijuana state. Below is a list of the four most likely to do so, based on the current political climate and ongoing legislative efforts.
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Dec 28 2024

Marijuana Indicas: 2024’s Most Popular Strains

Indicas are renowned for their deeply relaxing effects, often making them a go-to choice for winding down in the evening or managing stress and pain. Here we take a look at the most popular indicas throughout 2024.

Runtz.

In 2024, throughout the states that allow legal marijuana sales, the 10 indicas listed below standout among the hundreds of options as the most popular throughout the United States. This was determined by using data provided by state regulatory agencies and Leafly. You can find a list of 2024’s most popular sativas by clicking here.
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Dec 28 2024

Ascend Wellness Holdings Inc. Announces Share Buyback Program

Ascend Wellness Holdings, Inc., a vertically integrated multi-state cannabis operator focused on bettering lives through cannabis, has announced it’s received authorization from the Company’s Board of Directors to commence a share buyback program.

Pursuant to a normal course issuer bid (“NCIB”) commencing on January 2, 2025, the Company may repurchase up to the lesser of: (i) 10,215,690 shares of the Company’s class A common stock (“Common Shares”), representing approximately 5.0% of AWH’s outstanding Common Shares; and (ii) US$2.25 million worth of Common Shares, in the open market. As of December 24, 2024, there were a total of 204,313,808 issued and outstanding Common Shares.

“With the initiation of this share buyback program, we are taking another meaningful step to continue to create shareholder value,” said Sam Brill, Chief Executive Officer. “Our prior share repurchase, together with the recent open market purchases by members of our board of directors, demonstrate our strong confidence in our strategy and our commitment to driving returns for our investors. With our strong foundation and the impact of our ongoing initiatives, we are excited about the opportunities the new year will bring.”
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Dec 28 2024

Study Validates New Method for Reliable Cannabinoid Quantification in Veterinary CBD Oils, Finds Labels Accurately Reflect Cannabinoid Levels

A study published in the journal Pharmacy has validated a new method for accurately quantifying cannabinoids in commercial veterinary CBD oil.

(Photo credit: Healthline).

According to its abstract, the study “highlights the need for quality control in evaluating medicinal plant products, especially CBD oils, before market release”, noting that “Due to varying regulatory requirements, product labeling can sometimes be misleading, especially regarding cannabinoid concentrations such as CBD and THC.”

With that in mind, this research “focused on developing a validated high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method for accurately identifying and quantifying key cannabinoids in Commercial Veterinary CBD Oil.”
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Dec 27 2024

Massachusetts Governor Announces Multiple Pardons for Marijuana Offenses

Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey has announced pardons for eight individuals charged with marijuana-related offenses.

Via the introduction of Senate Bill 3007, which was filed this week and read yesterday in the House of Representatives, Governor Healey announced pardons for the following individuals:

  • Richard Barnes
  • Mynor-Dean Martino Boland
  • Kenny Jean
  • David Palazzo
  • Kira Pareseau
  • Danis Reyes
  • Anthony Tindal
  • Robert Tober

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Dec 27 2024

New York: Coalition of 34 Lawmakers File Bill to Restrict Marijuana Ads Near Schools

Legislation to tighten restrictions on marijuana advertising near schools has been prefiled in the New York Assembly.

Assemblymember John Zaccaro has filed Assembly 36 in New York, alongside a bipartisan coalition of 33 cosponsors. The measure, prefiled for the legislative session beginning January 8, has been referred to the Assembly Health Committee.

If enacted, Assembly 36 would amend New York’s Public Health Law to expand existing restrictions on tobacco and nicotine-related advertising near schools to include cannabis-related advertisements and paraphernalia. Specifically, it would prohibit the display of cannabis advertisements or smoking paraphernalia—such as pipes, vaporizers, and rolling papers—within 1,500 feet of schools statewide and 500 feet in New York City. The bill seeks to mirror current regulations on tobacco advertising by extending similar limitations to cannabis products.
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