Sep 11 2024

California Bill to Legalize Marijuana Cafés Awaits Governor Newsom’s Decision, Deadline Sept. 30

California legislation that would legalize Amsterdam-stye marijuana cafés has reached the desk of Governor Gavin Newsom.

Assembly Bill 1775, approved by the Assembly 58 to 6 and by the Senate 30 to 7, would “authorize a local jurisdiction, if specified conditions are met, to allow for the preparation or sale of noncannabis food or beverage products, as specified, by a licensed retailer or microbusiness in the area where the consumption of cannabis is allowed, and to allow, and to sell tickets for, live musical or other performances on the premises of a licensed retailer or microbusiness in the area where the consumption of cannabis is allowed.”

Currently, California law prohibits cannabis consumption lounges from selling freshly prepared food, a restriction many consider unnecessary. A November 2022 rule change permitted lounges to offer prepackaged food and beverages, but the sale of freshly made food or ready-to-drink beverages remains prohibited.
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Sep 11 2024

Study Links Marijuana Legalization to Decrease in Anxiety Medications

A new study published in JAMA Network Open reveals that the legalization of cannabis, whether medical or recreational, is associated with significant changes in the use of prescription medications for mental health disorders.

Anxiety pills.

The study, which analyzed data from over 9.4 million commercially insured patients, found a notable reduction in the dispensing of benzodiazepines—medications commonly used to treat anxiety—following increased access to cannabis.

According to the study’s abstract, “Medical cannabis laws were associated with a 12.4% reduction in the benzodiazepine fill rate,” while recreational cannabis laws led to a 15.2% reduction. These decreases indicate that more people may be substituting cannabis for medications that carry risks of dependency and severe side effects, such as respiratory depression.
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Sep 11 2024

In Groundbreaking Deal, USC Trojans Partner With Cannabis Company

The University of Southern California (USC) Trojans have become the first athletic department to sign a sponsorship agreement with a cannabis company.

According to Business Wire, the University of Southern California (USC) Trojans have formed a groundbreaking partnership with Cookies, a cannabis and wellness brand based in California. This unique deal marks the first time a program has partnered with a cannabis company.

Cookies will sponsor the football team as well as the men’s and women’s basketball teams. In a statement, Cookies CEO Berner expressed excitement about working with such a prestigious athletic department in California.
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Sep 11 2024

Ascend Opens Fifth Marijuana Dispensary in Pennsylvania, Its 39th Nationwide

Ascend Wellness Holdings, Inc., a multi-state, vertically integrated cannabis operator, announces the opening of its fifth medical dispensary in Pennsylvania, located in Whitehall.

This expansion marks Ascend’s 39th location across its seven-state footprint, which “underscores the Company’s dedication to serving the growing medical market in Pennsylvania”, according to a press release. Ascend currently operates four additional stores in Cranberry, Monaca, Scranton, and Wayne.

Ascend Dispensary Outlet Whitehall will welcome patients in the greater Allentown area with a wide-ranging selection of curated, top-shelf medical marijuana products, including whole flower products, vaporizers, concentrates, ingestibles, topicals, and accessories.
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Sep 11 2024

New York Cannabis Control Board Unveils Grant Program for Marijuana Businesses

The New York State Cannabis Control Board held a meeting on Tuesday to provide updates on licensing and new initiatives to assist business owners.

Currently, over 800 adult-use licenses have been issued to cultivators, processors, distributors, and retail dispensaries throughout the state. At least 20 of these licenses were granted in the past month.

During Tuesday’s meeting, the board introduced its CAURD grant program, aimed at supporting adult-use marijuana businesses. Under the program, businesses may qualify for up to $30,000 for equipment and other operational needs.
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Sep 11 2024

Michigan: Legal Marijuana Sales Top $294 Million in August, Year-to-Date Sales Near $2 Billion

There was nearly $300 million worth of marijuana sold legally in Michigan in August, with the year-to-date total nearing $2 billion.

According to data released by the Michigan Cannabis Regulatory Agency, there was $294 million worth of legal marijuana sold in August throughout Michigan. This is a roughly $7 million increase from the $287 million sold in July, and it marks an over 5% increase from the sales totals for August 2023.

The year-to-date total for marijuana sales in Michigan is now around $1.9 billion.
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Sep 10 2024

Maine Issues First-Ever Marijuana Recall

Maine’s Office of Cannabis Policy (OCP) has issued its first-ever product recall after certain items from the brand Cannabis Cured failed testing for yeast and mold contamination.

The photo above shows the product packaging for the Portal 1-gram pre-rolls sold in 5-packs. Emphasis has been added to the photo to show where on the label consumers can find their product’s batch number.

“On September 10, 2024, the Office of Cannabis Policy issued a mandatory recall for select adult use flower and pre-rolls produced by Cannabis Cured due to the presence of yeast and mold above the pass/fail threshold”, states the OCP on their website. “The products were sold at eight adult use retail stores in Maine between August 27, 2024, and September 9, 2024.”

The recall applies to pre-rolls from the GG-4 and Portal strains, along with both pre-rolls and flower from the Jelly Donutz strain. These products were sold at retail outlets  in Bangor, Carrabassett Valley, Eliot, Fairfield, Stratton, Thomaston, Damariscotta, and Northport.
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Sep 10 2024

Florida: Scientology’s Biggest Donor Gives $1 Million to DeSantis’ PAC to Fight Marijuana Legalization and Abortion

A political committee tied to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has received a $1 million donation from Trish Duggan, a prominent Scientologist, as part of its efforts to block marijuana legalization and abortion rights.

Trish Duggan.

The Florida Freedom Fund, chaired by DeSantis’ Chief of Staff James Uthmeier, raised $1.11 million from August 24 to 30, with Duggan’s contribution making up the bulk of the funds. According to state election records, the committee now holds nearly $3.49 million. This is less than 5% of the $82.6 million raised by Smart & Safe Florida, the group behind Amendment 3, as of the end of August

Duggan, a resident of Belleair Shores, is known as the largest donor to the Church of Scientology. Along with her ex-husband, billionaire Bob Duggan, she has donated over $360 million to the church and was a key financial backer in its secretive land acquisitions in Clearwater.
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Sep 10 2024

Missouri Governor and Attorney General Announce Task Force to “Combat Spread of Dangerous Unregulated Cannabis Products”

Today, during a press conference, Governor Mike Parson and Attorney General Andrew Bailey announced a joint task force between the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) and the Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Control (ATC) to combat the spread of unregulated psychoactive cannabis products in Missouri.

Missouri Governor Mike Parson (R) at today’s press conference.

This latest action comes after Governor Parson announced Executive Order 24-10 and subsequent emergency rules by ATC were refused.

Governor Parson and Attorney General Bailey were joined by Senate President Pro Tempore Caleb Rowden, House Majority Floor Leader Jonathan Patterson, Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) Director Paula Nickelson, Department of Public Safety Deputy Director Kevin Bond, ATC State Supervisor Michael Leara, and Missouri Poison Center Director Julie Weber.
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Sep 10 2024

Six Ohio Marijuana Stores Fined a Combined $430,000 by the State

Six marijuana dispensaries in Ohio were fined by the state for violating advertising regulations during the early stages of recreational marijuana sales, which launched on August 6.

The Ohio Division of Cannabis Control (DCC) imposed fines on the stores for not adhering to strict advertising guidelines, with penalties totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars.

“All operators are currently operating via medical rules,” explained Tom Brockman, deputy chief communications officer for the Ohio Department of Commerce and DCC. “As such, they need to seek pre-approval on any advertising, this includes the use of the term ‘recreational marijuana.’ Those particular entities that agreed to civil penalties did not seek pre-approval, and that was the basis of their violation.”
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