Mar 26 2023

Nevada Garnered $649 Million in Marijuana Taxes Since Start of Legal Sales, $3.5 Billion Sold

Nevada has garnered just shy of $650 million in marijuana taxes since legal sales began in July of 2017.

In total Nevada made $649 million in taxes from the legal distribution of $3,595,065,939 worth of marijuana and marijuana products. This is according to data released by the Nevada Department of Taxation, and including sales information through the end of December.

55% of Nevada voters approved Question 2 in November 2016, legalizing the possession of up to an ounce of marijuana and up to 3.5 grams of marijuana concentrates. The initiative established a licensed and regulated system of marijuana retail outlets, allowed to sell marijuana to anyone 21 and older. The law took effect on January 1, 2017, with the first retail outlet opening on July 1 of the same year.
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Mar 25 2023

Study Finds CBD May Help Combat Parkinson Disease

The cannabis compound cannabidiol (CBD) “acts as neuroprotector in dopaminergic neurons, reducing neurotoxicity and α-syn accumulation highlighting its potential in the treatment of PD”, according to a new study.

The study is being published in the recent issue of the journal Neurochemical Research, and it was epublished online ahead of print by the National Library of Medicine. The research was conducted by investigators from the Universidade Federal de São Paulo, the Brazil National Institute for Translational Medicine and the University of São Paulo.

“Progressive neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson Disease (PD) lack curative or long-term treatments”, states the study’s abstract. “At the same time, the increase of the worldwide elderly population and, consequently, the extension in the prevalence of age-related diseases have promoted research interest in neurodegenerative disorders.”
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Mar 25 2023

North Dakota Governor Signs Bill Allowing Those in Hospice Care to Self-Certify as Medical Marijuana Patients

Legislation to allow those in hospice care to certify themselves as medical marijuana patients has been signed into law by North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum.

House Bill 1478, “relating to the self-certification of an individual admitted into the hospice program for the medical use of marijuana”, was signed into law Thursday by Governor Burgum. The measure passed the House by a vote of 86 to 6, and it passed the Senate unanimously, 45 to 0.

House Bill 1478 allows those 65 and older to “submit to the department a copy of the individual’s medical records identifying a designation of being admitted” into the program. The department “may use medical records in place of a written certification to approve or deny the application”. It was filed by State Representative Mary Schneider with a bipartisan group of 10 cosponsors.
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Mar 24 2023

$395 Million in Legal Marijuana Purchased in Canada in January

There was CA$395 million ($287 million) in legal marijuana and marijuana products purchased in Canada in January, a 14% increase from January, 2022.

Although the total number of marijuana sales is up from last January, it’s down 7% from December. Sales in December reached a monthly record of CA$425.9 million. This is according to data released by Statistics Canada.

The province with the most marijuana sales in January was Alberta with CA$69.5 million, followed by British Columbia at $60.6 million and Quebec at $49.5 million.
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Mar 24 2023

South Dakota Bill to Expand Medical Marijuana Program Signed Into Law by Governor

A bill that greatly expands the list of conditions that qualify an individual to become a medical marijuana patient in South Dakota has been signed into law by Governor Kristi Noem.

Senate Bill 1 was passed by the state’s Senate in January by a vote of 20 to 15 and was approved by the House of Representatives in a 36 to 32 vote earlier this month, with some minor amendments. The Senate then voted 19 to 15 to concur on amendments, sending it to Governor Noem.

The measure, filed by Senator Ernie Otten with cosponsors Senators Erin Tobin and Taylor Rehfeldt, was signed into law yesterday by Governor Kristi Noem, according to the official website for the South Dakota Legislature. The new law expands the number of eligible patients by explicitly allowing medical marijuana for those diagnosed with: Continue reading

Mar 24 2023

Colorado House Passes Bill Allowing for Overdose Prevention Centers (aka Safe Injection Sites)

Colorado’s full House of Representatives has voted 43 to 21 to pass legislation that would allow localities to operate overdose prevention centers (aka safe injection sites).

A safe injection site located in Canada.

Colorado House Bill 1202 was filed by State Representative Judith Amabile along with a massive list of 38 cosponsors (all Democrat). The bill specifies that “a city may authorize the operation of an overdose prevention center within the city’s jurisdiction for the purpose of saving the lives of persons at risk of preventable overdoses.”

The bill states that “Preventable drug overdoses are a public health crisis that impact every Colorado community and are a matter of both local and state concern. For far too long, Colorado has disproportionately favored a criminal justice approach to substance use disorders instead of prioritizing public health.”
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Mar 24 2023

Report: Global Cannabis-Infused Edibles Market Valued at $5.14 Billion, to Grow to $9.28 Billion by 2028

According to a new report the global cannabis-infused edibles market is currently valued at over $5 billion, and is anticipated to grow rapidly in the coming years.

Conducted by Research and Markets, the report found that as of the start of 2023, the global marijuana-infused edibles market is worth $5.14 billion. It’s expected to grow at an annual compound growth rate (CAGR) of 12.26% between now and 2028 to reach a value of $9.28 billion.

“The global cannabis-infused food have gained momentum due to the increasing popularity and consumption of cannabis by the mainstream population”, states the report.

According to the report some of the key drivers in the market include:
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Mar 24 2023

Legislation to Legalize Medical Marijuana Filed in Idaho

Idaho is one of just 12 states that have not legalized medical marijuana, but that would change under a new bill filed today in the state’s legislature.

“In enacting this bill, it is the intent of the legislature to authorize the use of medical cannabis for persons diagnosed with a substantial health condition”, states House Bill 370, filed by Republican State Representative John Vander Woude (who is Chair of the House Health and Welfare Committee ). The measure is titled the Idaho Medical Cannabis Act.

Under the relatively restrictive proposal, those with a qualifying condition would be authorized to possess and use up to 10 mg of THC processed to a “tablet, chewable, droplet, or pill”, meaning that actually smoking medical marijuana would remain prohibited.
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Mar 24 2023

New Mexico Committee Approves Legalizing Safe Injection Sites

A bill that would establish an overdose prevention program to allow for safe injection sites has been passed by its initial House committee.

The New Mexico flag.

House Bill 263 has been passed by the House Judiciary Committee, moving it closer to a vote by the full House. According its official synopsis the bill would amend the Harm Reduction Act to create an overdose prevention program, which would allow for the operation of overdose prevention facilities, and provide liability protections for individuals operating or utilizing overdose prevention programs.

The amendments “would limit the data the Department of Health could collect in association with harm reduction programs, require the department to promulgate rules about the operation of overdose prevention programs, and require the department to provide program participants with a safe and hygienic space to consume previously obtained substances under the supervision of trained personnel.”
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Mar 23 2023

Group of Rhode Island Lawmakers File Bill to Legalize Psilocybin

Legislation that would legalize the possession and personal cultivation of psilocybin has been filed in Rhode Island.

Legalize Psilocybin

Rhode Island Senate Bill 806 would amend the state’s law on controlled substances “to permit a person to possess less than 1 ounce of psilocybin and would allow psilocybin to be cultivated at a person’s residence for personal use.”

The measure was filed by Senator Meghan Kallman, with cosponsors Senators Alana DiMario, Joshua Miller, Tiara Mack, Jonathon Acosts, Pamela Lauria and Bridget Valverde. The move would legalize psilocybin, which is the hallucinogenic ingredient found in magic mushrooms.
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