Rhode Island is moving forward with plans to allocate 24 new cannabis retail licenses through a hybrid process that combines a merit-based screening and a lottery system.

(Photo credit: Vicente LLP).

The state’s Cannabis Control Commission unanimously approved the approach on Friday, which seeks to balance fairness with efficiency as Rhode Island’s recreational cannabis market continues to develop.

Under the proposed system, applicants will first undergo a screening to evaluate their qualifications, including their readiness for licensure and ability to operate a retail outlet. Those who pass this initial phase will then enter a lottery, but only in regions where demand for licenses exceeds supply. Rhode Island’s cannabis laws divide the state into six geographic zones, with a maximum of four stores permitted in each. Two of the four licenses in each zone will be reserved for social equity applicants and worker cooperatives.
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The Stop Pot Act, introduced by Representative Chuck Edwards (R-NC) last September, is the most prominent piece of anti-marijuana legislation currently in the U.S. Congress, despite having only five sponsors from three states.

The Stop Pot Act seeks to penalize states and tribes that have legalized recreational marijuana by withholding federal highway funds. Despite having more support than any other marijuana-related bill in US Congress, the measure has only managed to attract five co-sponsors, all from Republican representatives—David Rouzer (R-NC), Gregory Murphy (R-NC), Pete Sessions (R-TX), and John W. Rose (R-TN).

The lack of support for the Stop Pot Act speaks volumes about the waning opposition to marijuana reform in U.S. politics. While a decade ago such legislation might have garnered broader backing, the political landscape has shifted dramatically. This bill’s stagnation in the House Subcommittee on Highways and Transit, where it has been stuck since its introduction, further underscores this point. Despite a push from Edwards to gain more co-sponsors earlier in the summer, the measure has seen no new endorsements since October, and it faces expiration if not passed by the end of the year.
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Vice President Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign has responded to former President Trump’s recent remarks, where he expressed support for legalizing marijuana in Florida, federal rescheduling, and passing marijuana banking legislation.

“As president, Trump cracked down on nonviolent marijuana offenses, undermining state legalization laws, opposed safe banking legislation, and even tried to remove protections for medical marijuana,” Harris spokesperson Joseph Costello said on Monday in an interview with NBC. “Donald Trump does not actually believe in marijuana reform, but the American people are smart enough to see through his campaign lies.”

Costello’s comments follow Trump’s recent statement that Amendment 3, which would legalize recreational marijuana for adults 21 and older, would be “very good” for Florida. Shortly after, Trump endorsed the Biden administration’s plan to reschedule marijuana and voiced his support for the SAFE Banking Act to enable nationwide marijuana banking. Continue reading

Marijuana prohibition in the United States began nearly a century ago with the passage of the Marihuana Tax Act in 1937. Its end appears near.

The 1937 law marked the beginning of a widespread crackdown on cannabis, making it increasingly difficult to cultivate, sell, or use the plant legally. The government’s stance on marijuana hardened with the 1970 Controlled Substances Act, which classified it as a Schedule I drug, making it one of the most restricted substances, prohibiting its use for any purpose, including medical research.

Today, however, momentum for reform has reached new heights. For the first time in U.S. history, both major presidential candidates—Democrat Kamala Harris and Republican Donald Trump—are on record supporting the legalization of marijuana. This represents a seismic shift in national politics, given that marijuana policy has long been a deeply divisive issue, at least among politicians (the majority of US adults have supported the move for at least a decade).
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Since Ohio began legal recreational marijuana sales on August 6, there has been over $85 million worth of marijuana sold via licensed marijuana dispensaries.

According to the Ohio Division of Cannabis Control (DCC), there was $54,649,749 worth of recreational marijuana sold between August 6 and September 6. During the same period there was $30,666,931 worth of medical marijuana sold, bringing the combined total to $85,316,680

The average price per gram of dried marijuana had another decrease, from $9.14 on August 31 to $8.95 as of September 7. When sales began on August 6, the average price was around $9.50 per gram.
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Anresco Laboratories and Infinite Chemical Analysis Labs have dropped their lawsuit against 13 competing labs they accused of manipulating marijuana test results to attract business, MJBizDaily reports.

The two California-based labs voluntarily withdrew their complaint on August 3 in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, according to court records. Josh Swider, co-founder and CEO of Infinite Chemical Analysis Labs, confirmed to MJBizDaily that they intend to refile the lawsuit soon. “We stand by our claims and plan to file a new complaint in the near future,” Swider stated via email.

Swider’s lab has been in the spotlight recently due to its role in uncovering pesticide contamination in California’s cannabis market. Infinite Chemical Analysis and Anresco were among the labs that reported the presence of illegal pesticides in cannabis products sold in the state, triggering recalls by the Department of Cannabis Control (DCC).
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A new poll reveals that a large majority of Texas voters, across party lines, favor decriminalizing marijuana.

According to the survey by the University of Texas/Texas Politics Project, more voters in Texas support decriminalizing marijuana than do relaxing rules on guns, gambling, or abortion.

When asked if penalties for cannabis possession or use should be downgraded to just a citation and fine, 68% of respondents backed the idea, with 42% expressing “strong” support. This reform received approval from a majority of Democrats (81%), Republicans (59%), and independents (61%).
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In August, there was considerably more legal marijuana sold in Maine than any previous month.

(Photo credit: Vista).

According to the Maine Office of Cannabis Policy, there was $23,951,539 worth of legal marijuana and marijuana products sold throughout August. This is over $1 million more than the then-record setting $22,861,337 sold last month. The previous monthly high was $21.7 million set in August 2023.

The majority of sales were for “usable cannabis”, which is dried marijuana flower, prerolls, shake, etc., with sales at $13.8 million. Concentrates were the next biggest catagory with $6.3 million in sales in August. In terms of infused products such as edibles and capsules, there was $3.7 million in sales. Continue reading

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has confirmed that he will vote for Florida’s marijuana legalization initiative, Amendment 3. He also indicated that if he wins the presidency, he plans to work with Congress on federal marijuana reforms, including the SAFER Banking Act.

(Photo credit: Scott Olson/Getty Images).

In a recent social media post, Trump shared his belief that it’s time to stop arresting and imprisoning adults for possessing small amounts of marijuana for personal use. He emphasized the importance of smart regulations and safe access to tested products for adults.

Trump, a Florida resident, confirmed he will vote “yes” on Amendment 3, which is set for November, and as president, he will support rescheduling marijuana to Schedule III, a move pursued by the Biden Administration. He also highlighted his commitment to working with Congress on passing sensible laws, such as SAFE banking for state-regulated companies, while respecting states’ rights to enact their own marijuana laws.
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