Connecticut Officials Double Recreational Marijuana Purchase Limit, Takes Effect December 1

The Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) announced today that the state will be doubling its purchase limit for recreational marijuana.

Connecticut’s recreational marijuana law was passed in July, 2021, with the first marijuana store opening in January of this year. The law allows those 21 and older to possess up to 1.5 ounces of marijuana, but they can only purchase up to a quarter of an ounce per transaction. Under the new rules change, taking effect December 1, the purchase limit will be increased to half of an ounce.

“As more retailers, production companies and other supply chain licensees have come online, the capacity of the industry has increased,” said DCP Commissioner Bryan T. Cafferelli. “We are confident this measured approach to adult-use sales has resulted in a healthy market for businesses and a safe and fair marketplace for adult-use cannabis consumers and medical marijuana patients.”
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University of Mississippi to Offer Master’s Degree in Medical Marijuana and Dietary Supplements

The University of Mississippi (“Ole Miss”) has announced a new master’s degree program that has a large focus on medical marijuana.

The university has announced that the new two-year online program under the School of Pharmacy will open in fall 2024, reports the Clarion Ledger. The course will cover two subjects; dietary supplements and medical marijuana.

“The purpose is to provide advanced training for people who are seeking employment or want to advance their current jobs in dietary supplements, which could be herbal products or medical cannabis,” says David Colby, director of online graduate programs in the biomedical sciences department
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Pennsylvania House Committee Holds Hearing on Marijuana Legalization

Pennsylvania’s House Health Subcommittee on Health Care held a hearing today to discuss the issue of legalizing marijuana.

No specific legislation was considered during today’s hearing, but the subcommittee discussed, in detail, the potential implications of legalizing marijuana and the various approaches that could be taken if the state decides to do so. Subcommittee Chair Representative Dan Frankel (D) recently issued a memo seeking cosponsors for a forthcoming marijuana legalization bill.

The committee heard from a variety of individuals, including Penn State College of Medicine professor Kent Vrana and New Frontier Data Chief Knowledge Officer Amanda Reiman. Among those who spoke many were supportive of legalization and the social benefits that come with it, but some opposed to the idea with the common refrain being that it could negatively impact youth. This was countered with data showing that youth marijuana usage has actually decreased in legal marijuana states.
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Study Finds Access to CBD Reduces Opioid Use

According to a new study, access to CBD leads to a reduction in opioid use.

CBD tincture.

“We investigate the impacts of state legalization of products containing cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive alternative to marijuana, on opioid prescribing rates”, states the abstract of the study, published in the Southern Economic Journal.

“Research suggests that legalized medical marijuana may reduce opioid prescriptions, though no empirical link between CBD and opioids has been ascertained. Using county-level prescribing rates between 2010 and 2019, as well as state-level morphine milligram equivalent (MME) consumption of 8 common opioids, we estimate that state adoption of limited access cannabis product (CBD) laws leads to no change in opioid prescribing rates.”
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Ohio Analysis: Marijuana Tax Revenue Would Generate Hundreds of Millions of Dollars in Social Benefits

Today Scioto Analysis released its most recent cost-benefit analysis looking at the impact of Ohio’s Ballot Issue Two, recreational marijuana legalization.

The study found that this policy “will likely generate about $260 million in net benefits for society, though likely results ranged between $200 million in net costs and $1.9 billion of net benefits.”

Researchers state that their “simulation model suggests that in 90% of likely scenarios, recreational marijuana legalization will have a positive net economic benefit on society.”
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Las Vegas: Company Unveils DAZED! Marijuana Consumption Lounge

Planet 13 Holdings Inc., a vertically-integrated multi-state cannabis company, today unveils plans and renderings for its “first-of-its-kind, high-end consumption lounge”, DAZED!, at the Las Vegas SuperStore.

DAZED! is a marijuana consumption lounge “with VIP booths, expertly crafted canna-cocktails and unique bong chandeliers”, according to a press release sent today. “With 3,000 square feet of mixed-used food, consumption, and entertainment space, DAZED! Lounge will redefine the cannabis experience for tourists and local customers alike.”

Larry Scheffler, co-CEO of Planet 13, says they are “thrilled to share our exciting plans for our trailblazing cannabis consumption lounge.” Scheffler says “From day one, our goal has been to out-Vegas-Vegas, and this is another big step in that direction. It’s an extraordinary space for cannabis novices, connoisseurs, tourists and locals to enjoy cannabis while experiencing world-class entertainment”.
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Report: Global Legal Marijuana Market to Grow to Almost $200 Billion by 2032

According to a new report the global market for cannabis is expected to grow 640% between 2022 and 2032.

According to the new Worldwide Cannabis Market Size Report, conducted by Spherical Insights, the global market for legal marijuana was valued at $26.86 billion as of the start of 2023, and it’s expected to grow to a value of $198 billion by 2032. This would mark a compound annual growth rate of 22.2% between 2022 and 2032.

“The cannabis industry’s increased emphasis on research and development is resulting in the development of new products and applications, which fuels market expansion”, states the report.
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Pennsylvania Health Committee Approves Bill to Allow All Licensed Marijuana Growers to Sell Directly to Patients

A key House committee in Pennsylvania has given approval to legislation that would allow all licensed marijuana growers and processors to sell marijuana directly to patients.

The House Health Committee voted 20 to 5 today to pass Senate Bill 773, a little over a month after it was given approval by the full Senate in a 44 to 3 vote. Filed by Senator Chris Gebhard along with a bipartisan coalition of seven cosponsors, the measure must be approved through one more committee and then the full House of Representatives before it can be sent to Governor Josh Shapiro.

If passed into law Senate Bill 773 would allow all licensed marijuana growers to receive a dual license that also allows them to operate a dispensary where they can sell marijuana and marijuana products.
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Rhode Island Cannabis Commission Launches Website

The Rhode Island Cannabis Control Commission on Tuesday officially launched its new website.

(Photo credit: Rhode Island Cannabis Commission).

“The initial launch of regulated adult use cannabis has demonstrated the State of Rhode Island’s success in carefully expanding into this new and growing industry”, says Kim Ahern, Chairperson for the Cannabis Control Commission, in a quote on the front page of the new site. “Going forward, the CCC will work to ensure that Rhode Island’s adult use and medical cannabis industries are regulated in a safe, transparent and equitable manner.”

According to the commission the new website will give the public increased access to information and updates regarding the state’s marijuana laws (including regulatory guidelines, upcoming public meetings, etc.), while improving transparency.
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Missouri Transfers $13 Million in Medical Marijuana Funds to Help Veterans

Today, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) transferred $13 million in funds from Missouri’s medical marijuana program to the Missouri Veterans Commission (MVC).

According to a press release, this marks the fifth transfer to date, for a total of $39,978,820, since the medical program was formed in late 2018.

Additionally, DHSS transferred $3,836,919 in funds generated by Missouri’s adult use marijuana program to agencies as outlined in Article XIV, Section 2, of the Missouri Constitution. Recipient agencies of adult use program funds include the following:
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