March 2025 - CannabisNewsWire

MondayMar 24, 2025 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Maryland Senate Approves Bill Protecting Rights of Rescue Workers, Firefighters Using Medical Marijuana

The Maryland state Senate has approved a measure aimed at protecting rescue and fire workers from being penalized for using medical cannabis while off duty. The legislation, introduced by Senator Carl Jackson, passed with a 36-8 vote and now moves to the House of Representatives, where a parallel measure has been introduced but has yet to progress. If enacted, the bill would amend state law to ensure that firefighters and other rescue personnel registered as medical cannabis patients are not penalized for their legal use of the substance or for testing positive for marijuana. Employers would be prohibited from disciplining,…

FridayMar 21, 2025 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Marijuana Use Could Trigger Epigenetic Changes, Study Finds

A recent study involving more than 1,000 adults suggests that marijuana use may influence changes in the body’s epigenome, which acts like a series of switches turning genes on or off to regulate bodily functions. According to Northwestern University epidemiologist Lifang Hou, the study discovered connections between long-term cannabis use and various epigenetic markers over time. While several U.S. states and countries have legalized its use, the full impact on health remains unclear. According to Hou and her team of researchers from the U.S., about half of all Americans have at least one cannabis experience. Its full health impact is…

FridayMar 21, 2025 10:00 am

AMA Study Finds Halting Cannabis Testing of Pregnant Mothers Boosts Racial Parity, Doesn’t Harm Kids

A study by the American Medical Association (AMA) has found that discontinuing marijuana testing in pregnant women has improved racial parity without causing harm to newborns. As more than two dozen states now allow recreational marijuana use for eligible adults, tens of millions of people have easy access to the drug. Cannabis testing has become an increasingly divisive issue in the U.S. over the past several years, particularly concerning pregnancy. Given the history of disproportionate cannabis-related policing in minority communities, many advocates have expressed concerns that targeted marijuana testing of pregnant women could have negative consequences. The recent AMA study…

ThursdayMar 20, 2025 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — This New THC-Free Marijuana Compound Could Replace Opioids

A recent study from the University of Arizona Health Sciences suggests that terpenes found in the marijuana plant may offer a new way to manage post-surgical and fibromyalgia pain. The study expands on prior research conducted by Comprehensive Center for Pain and Addiction member Dr. John Streicher, who previously explored the pain-relieving properties of terpenes in cases of inflammation and nerve pain caused by chemotherapy. According to Streicher, terpenes do not seem effective for immediate pain relief, such as injuries from burns or stubbing a toe. However, they show promise for pathological or long-term pain conditions. This study marks the…

ThursdayMar 20, 2025 10:00 am

Marijuana Advocates Unhappy with Bills Seeking to Modify Ohio Law

Cannabis advocates in Ohio are expressing frustration with state lawmakers for pushing legislation to modify the state's marijuana laws. Since voters approved a measure to legalize recreational cannabis in November 2023, GOP leaders have been working to impose more restrictive policies. In late February, Ohio Senate Republicans passed a measure that would significantly alter the state's cannabis policy. Some of the most notable changes include limiting the number of plants that eligible adults can grow at home and reducing the amount of THC allowed in cannabis products. The bill would also change how Ohio allocates tax revenue from cannabis sales…

WednesdayMar 19, 2025 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Divisive Colorado Cannabis Potency Bill Withdrawn at Committee Stage

A contentious bipartisan measure aimed at addressing the high potency of cannabis in Colorado was withdrawn by its sponsors during a committee hearing. The measure faced immediate backlash, particularly over proposed regulations on specific edibles and age restrictions. Before the first reading, Senator Judy Amabile indicated she planned to revise the measure significantly. However, when the hearing took place, she instead requested the panel to reject it. The bill had already stirred debate, prompting its sponsors to promise changes before the official discussion even began. Currently, Colorado law limits THC levels in edibles to 10 milligrams per serving. The bill…

TuesdayMar 18, 2025 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Idaho Senate Passes Bill Giving Legislature Power Over Cannabis Legalization

The Idaho State Senate has approved a proposed constitutional amendment that would give the legislature sole authority to legalize cannabis and other drugs. The measure, known as House Joint Memorial 4, will be put to a vote in the November 2026 elections. If passed by a majority of voters, the amendment would eliminate the ability of Idaho residents to legalize cannabis through citizen-led ballot initiatives. The language of the proposed amendment states that only the state legislature would have the power to permit the use, possession, cultivation, sale, and production of cannabis and other psychoactive substances. Supporters argue that the…

TuesdayMar 18, 2025 10:00 am

Delays in Launching Delaware Adult-Use Marijuana Sales are Frustrating Entrepreneurs, Advocates

Entrepreneurs in Delaware are growing increasingly frustrated with the state's slow rollout of recreational cannabis sales. Although Delaware legalized recreational marijuana in 2023 and was expected to launch sales this spring, several obstacles have put the launch on hold. Zoning issues and fingerprint check delays are just a few of the issues that have held back the launch of adult-use cannabis sales and left many Delaware entrepreneurs risking massive losses and even bankruptcy. Delaware Cannabis Industry Association president James Brobyn says cannabis retailers are ‘sitting on their hands’ and waiting for recreational cannabis sales to begin. According to activists, Delaware…

MondayMar 17, 2025 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Coalition Government Talks in Germany Could Be Complicated by Marijuana Policy

Germany’s coalition negotiations could become tense as the Christian Democrats (CDU) and Social Democrats (SPD) clash over the country’s marijuana law. The SPD, which championed the legislation last year, considers it a key achievement, while the CDU has always opposed legalization. Following initial post-election discussions, CDU leader Friedrich Merz expressed optimism about forming a coalition government with SPD, describing the talks as productive. However, this cooperative atmosphere may not last. The SPD-led coalition, which included the Greens and Free Democrats (FDP), pushed for the legislation in April last year, bringing Germany in line with the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Malta, and…

FridayMar 14, 2025 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — States are Scrambling to Get Reliable Tools to Detect Marijuana Impairment in Drivers

Minnesota is among several states testing a new device that detects THC in saliva, similar to a Keurig machine. The pilot program, which ended earlier this year, is now under review by the state patrol, which plans to present its findings to state legislators. With cannabis now legal in most states, its use has grown and more people are consuming it before driving. States have laws against driving under the influence of substances, but regulating cannabis impairment remains a challenge. Unlike alcohol, where a breathalyzer provides a clear measure of intoxication, THC affects individuals differently based on tolerance, making it…

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Month: March 2025