Jan 24 2025

Rhode Island Lawmakers File Bill to Temporarily Decriminalize Psilocybin

Rhode Island House Bill 5186, a measure to temporarily decriminalize psilocybin that was introduced today by 10 state representatives, has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee.

Dried psilocybin mushrooms.

Sponsored by Representatives Potter, McNamara, Batista, Craven, Donovan, Speakman, Spears, Slater, Bennett, and Cruz, the legislation would decriminalize the possession and personal cultivation of small amounts of psilocybin, a compound found in psychedelic mushrooms. The bill includes a sunset provision, with all measures expiring on July 1, 2027.

Under the proposed legislation, individuals could possess or share less than one ounce of psilocybin without facing criminal penalties. Additionally, the bill would allow for the secure cultivation of psilocybin in a person’s residence for personal use. However, the bill includes several contingencies tied to future actions by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
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Jan 24 2025

Study Finds Cannabigerol May Treat Atopic Dermatitis by Targeting Key Inflammatory Pathways

Cannabigerol (CBG), a cannabis compound, may help to treat atopic dermatitis (AD), according to a study published in the journal Cells.

Researchers from the Catholic University of Korea used both cellular and mouse models of AD to evaluate the therapeutic effects of CBG. The findings revealed significant reductions in inflammation and improvements in skin health.

In cellular models, CBG lowered the expression of inflammatory markers, including CCL26, IL1B, IL6, and TNF, with results showing strong statistical significance. Mouse models demonstrated similar benefits, with reduced dermatitis severity scores, thinner epidermal layers, and fewer mast cells. The treatment also suppressed inflammatory cytokines such as Tslp, Il1b, Il6, Il17, and others.
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Jan 24 2025

Hawaii Bill to Protect Medical Marijuana Patients From Workplace Discrimination Scheduled for Public Hearing

Legislation to prohibit the workplace discrimination of medical marijuana patients has been scheduled for a public hearing in the Hawaii Legislature.

House Bill 325, filed last week by eight lawmakers, will have a public hearing held on January 28 at 9:00AM in House conference room 309 via videoconference. The hearing will be held by the House Labor and Public Employment Committee.

The proposed law would establish explicit workplace protections for registered medical marijuana patients while maintaining safety standards for specific occupations. Employees would be prohibited from taking adverse actions, including termination or refusal to hire, based solely on an individual’s status as a registered medical marijuana patient or a positive drug test for marijuana metabolites, provided the individual is not impaired during work hours.
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Jan 24 2025

New York Officials to Celebrate $1 Billion In Cannabis Sales With “Historic Event At State Capitol”

New York’s Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) has scheduled an event at the State Capitol Building to celebrate the state passing $1 billion in licensed marijuana sales.

“New York State has officially surpassed $1 billion in retail cannabis sales, marking a major milestone in the state’s commitment to building an equitable and sustainable cannabis industry”, states a press release sent today by the OCM. “Join us as we celebrate this groundbreaking achievement, honoring equity licensees, entrepreneurs, and businesses that have shaped the future of New York’s cannabis market.”

The event will take place at Tuesday, January 28, 2025, at 9:00am, at the Million (Billion) Dollar Stairs, 3rd Floor, State Capitol Building, State St. and Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12224.
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Jan 24 2025

JPMorgan Chase CEO Says They “Probably Would” Embrace Cannabis Banking if Law Changes

In a recent interview, the CEO of JPMorgan Chase, Jamie Dimon, says the bank “probably would” begin offering services to marijuana businesses if federal law changes.

Speaking this week on an episode of “The Unshakeables,” a podcast produced by JPMorgan Chase, Dimon said the enactment of federal marijuana banking legislation would significantly influence the bank’s stance on working with state-licensed marijuana businesses.

In discussing the banks refusal to work with marijuana businesses now, Dimon pointed to the legal complexities surrounding marijuana banking as the main obstacle.
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Jan 24 2025

Study Finds CBD Inhibits Cancer Cell Growth and Promotes Cell Death in Cholangiocarcinoma Cells

A study published by the Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine and e-published by the U.S. National Library of Medicine highlights cannabidiol’s (CBD) potential as a therapeutic option for combatting cholangiocarcinoma (CCA).

Conducted by researchers from Khon Kaen University in Thailand, the study explored the anti-cancer effects of CBD on human CCA cells, examining both in vitro and in vivo mechanisms.

CCA, a type of bile duct cancer, is often diagnosed in late stages, leading to limited treatment success. The study investigated the impact of CBD on three CCA cell lines using various assays to assess cell proliferation, cell cycle arrest, and morphological changes. Researchers also utilized 3D holotomography, transmission electron microscopy, and mitochondrial function tests to delve into the underlying mechanisms. To confirm these findings, a xenograft model was employed.
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Jan 24 2025

The Five States Most Likely to Legalize Cannabis This Year

Several states are on track to legalize recreational marijuana in 2025, joining the 24 other states that have already done so.

Although efforts to legalize cannabis are ongoing in numerous states, the five states listed below are the most likely to actually enact legalization proposals this year.
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Jan 24 2025

Senator Warren Encourages Musk and DOGE to End Federal Marijuana Prohibition

U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) has urged Elon Musk, Chair of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), to prioritize smarter federal spending cuts, including reconsidering wasteful enforcement policies such as federal marijuana prohibition.

In a letter sent to Musk, Warren outlined 30 recommendations aimed at reducing government inefficiency while protecting critical programs like Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security.

The letter follows Musk’s recent walk-back of his ambitious pledge to cut $2 trillion in federal spending, scaling it down to $500 billion annually. DOGE, a new federal agency created by President Trump in January 2025, was tasked with overhauling government bureaucracy and slashing waste. Warren’s proposals aim to achieve the agency’s cost-saving goals without sacrificing essential services or relying on tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans.
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Jan 23 2025

Washington House Bill Would Remove Residency Requirement for Marijuana Industry Investors, Public Hearing Scheduled for January 29

Lawmakers are pushing for a significant shake-up in Washington’s marijuana industry with House Bill 1346, which is scheduled for a public hearing in the House Committee on Consumer Protection & Business on January 29 at 1:30 p.m.

The bipartisan bill, filed on January 16 by six lawmakers, would eliminate the in-state residency requirement for cannabis business investors, a restriction that has limited growth and innovation since its inception.

The residency requirement was initially introduced to mitigate potential federal enforcement risks when Washington became one of the first states to legalize recreational marijuana in 2012. However, as other states with similar laws have adopted more open investment policies without repercussions, the restriction has become increasingly unnecessary. Proponents of the bill argue that removing this barrier will level the playing field for Washington businesses, making it easier for local entrepreneurs to compete with larger, better-funded operations in other states.
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Jan 23 2025

Connecticut Bill Would End All Nonviolent Cannabis Charges, Resentence Incarcerated Offenders, Expunge Records, and Advance Equity

Connecticut lawmakers introduced House Bill 6377 today, a bold proposal that would reshape the state’s cannabis laws and promote more equity in the marijuana industry.

Filed by State Representatives Michael Shannon (D) and Anne Hughes (D), the bill has been referred to the Joint Committee on Judiciary for consideration. The proposal would address multiple facets of cannabis reform, including terminating all investigations and charges related to nonviolent cannabis offenses, shifting law enforcement resources away from cases that proponents of the bill say pose no public safety risk.

Additionally, the measure mandates the expungement of past cannabis convictions and a review of sentences for individuals currently incarcerated for cannabis-related offenses. If enacted, these individuals could have their sentences vacated and their civil rights restored.
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