Washington State Generates $98 Million in Marijuana Sales in January, Costs Hit Record Lows

In January, licensed marijuana stores in Washington State generated nearly $100 million in sales.

New data released by the Seattle-based research firm Headset shows that there was $98.86 million in marijuana sales in January, on par with the $99.5 million sold in January 2024. In 2024, the state generated $1.13 billion in marijuana sales, resulting in $420 million in taxes.

In January, the average price per gram of dried flower remained stead at $7.18 per gram, while the average cost per eighth reached a new all-time low of $16.39. The average cost per gram of concentrates also reached a new low of $8.30.
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Maryland Legislation to Ease Security Guard Regulations for Marijuana Businesses Given Approval by Senate

Today, Senate Bill 299 was passed through its second reading in the Maryland Senate, moving one step closer to becoming law. A third and final reading is expected soon.

The legislation, introduced on January 10 by State Senators Mary Carozza (R) and Brian Feldman (D), would eliminate certain background check requirements for security guards working in the state’s legal marijuana industry. Specifically, the bill would remove the mandate for state and national criminal history records checks for security guards employed by marijuana businesses, as long as they are already authorized under Maryland’s existing security guard regulations.

Under current law, all marijuana agents, including security personnel, must register with the Maryland Cannabis Administration and undergo background checks that can cause issues due to marijuana’s federal status.
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Marc Fogel, U.S. Citizen Jailed 14 Years in Russia for Medical Marijuana, Freed After Trump Envoy Visit

Marc Fogel, an American teacher sentenced to 14 years for possessing medical marijuana, has been freed.

Marc Fogel.

“Today, President Donald J. Trump and his Special Envoy Steve Witkoff are able to announce that Mr. Witkoff is leaving Russian airspace with Marc Fogel, an American who was detained by Russia,” said White House national security adviser Mike Waltz in a news release. “President Trump, Steve Witkoff and the president’s advisors negotiated an exchange that serves as a show of good faith from the Russians and a sign we are moving in the right direction to end the brutal and terrible war in Ukraine.”
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President Trump Nominates Terrance Cole to Lead DEA

President Donald Trump has nominated Terrance C. “Terry” Cole to serve as the next administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), replacing Acting Administrator Derek Maltz.

Cole, a seasoned law enforcement professional with over 28 years of experience, including 22 years at the DEA, has held numerous leadership roles within the agency. He currently serves as Virginia’s Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security.

During his tenure with the DEA, Cole advanced through various domestic assignments in Oklahoma, New York, Texas, and Washington, D.C., as well as international postings in Colombia, Afghanistan, Mexico, and the Middle East. He served in several key positions, including Chief of Staff and Executive Officer at the DEA’s Special Operations Division, DEA representative to the National Security Council, and Chief of Global Operations. Before retiring from federal service in 2020, he held the position of Acting Regional Director for Mexico, Canada, and Central America.

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New Hampshire House Committee Overwhelmingly Approves Bill to Legalize Personal Medical Marijuana Cultivation

A key committee in the New Hampshire House of Representatives has given overwhelming bipartisan approval to legislation that would allow patients and their caregiver to grow medical marijuana for personal use.

Today, the House Health, Human Services, and Elderly Affairs Committee voted 13 to 4 to advance House Bill 53 towards a vote of the full House of Representatives.

Filed by State Representatives Wendy Thomas (D), Heath Howard (D), and Jim Kofalt (R), the legislation would allow qualified patients, as well as designated caregivers, to grow up to three mature cannabis plants, three immature plants and up to 12 seedlings. All cannabis plants would be required to be kept in a secured and enclosed location.
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Judge Blocks Colorado Springs’ Attempt to Overturn Recreational Marijuana Vote, Calling it Uncconstitutional

A judge has ruled that Colorado Springs’ attempt to ask voters to repeal recreational marijuana sales, six months after its approval, is unconstitutional.

Fourth Judicial District Court Judge Hilary Gurney sided with two residents who filed a lawsuit against the city, issuing an injunction to block the city from placing the repeal measure on the April 1 ballot. The measure in question, known as Question 300, was approved in November by a margin of 22,372 votes, allowing existing medical marijuana dispensaries to sell recreational marijuana.

According to Amendment 64 of the Colorado Constitution, local ballot measures to prohibit the operation of licensed recreational marijuana businesses may appear only on a general election ballot during an even-numbered year. The city’s plan to hold a repeal vote in April would have violated this provision.
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Study: CBD Hydrogel Microneedle Patch “Has Obvious Therapeutic Effects” for Psoriasis Patients

According to the results of a new study, a cannabidiol (CBD) hydrogel microneedle patch may offer significant therapeutic benefits for psoriasis patients.

Microneedle Patch (photo credit: Jill Ziesmer).

Published in the International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, the study found that CBD can inhibit the proliferation of keratinocytes, a key factor in psoriasis progression.

Researchers from Kunming Medical University and Central South University identified that the TRIM14 protein is highly expressed in psoriasis patients and may play a role in the disease by activating the NF-κB pathway through interactions with TRAF3. By suppressing TRIM14 expression, CBD appears to reduce this inflammatory signaling.
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Ohio: Nearly $500 Million in Marijuana Sales Since Recreational Market Launch on August 7

Since Ohio launched their recreational marijuana market on August 7, the state has generated nearly $500 million in total sales.

Data released today by the Ohio Division of Cannabis Control shows that there has been $319,594,427 in recreational marijuana sold since August 7, as of February 8, while medical marijuana sales contributed $170,751,919.

Between August 7 and February 8, there were 4,316,745 recreational transactions and 1,675,103 medical transactions, with a combined total of 5,991,848 transactions.
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Rhode Island: Nearly $10 Million in Legal Cannabis Sold in January

In January, there was nearly $10 million worth of marijuana and marijuana products sold legally in Rhode Island.

Licensed marijuana outlets in Rhode Island sold $9.57 million worth of marijuana between January 1 and January 31, according to the Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation. While this marks a slight decline from the $10.11 million recorded in December, it represents a modest rise from the $9.50 million sold in January 2024.

Of the $9.57 million in sales, $7.89 million came from recreational marijuana purchases, while $1.68 million was from medical marijuana sales.

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Arizona House Approves Bill Restricting Marijuana Advertising

Arizona’s House of Representatives has approved House Bill 2179, a measure introduced last month by State Representative Selina Bliss (R).

The legislation establishes strict advertising regulations for marijuana businesses and nonprofit medical marijuana dispensaries. The bill will receive one more House vote (third reading) before moving to the Senate.

If enacted, HB 2179 would prohibit marijuana businesses from advertising in ways that could appeal to individuals under 21 years old. This includes using imagery of cartoons, toys, or fictional characters and referencing brands commonly associated with children’s products. The bill also bans advertisements depicting marijuana consumption and prohibits marketing that highlights THC potency levels.
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