Chris@CNW, Author at CannabisNewsWire

FridayFeb 07, 2025 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Patchy Marijuana Laws Could Expose Consumers to Contaminants

A recent Gallup survey indicates that marijuana use in the U.S. has doubled over the last ten years. In several states, cannabis is legal, and most Americans now consume it as often as they would wine or beer. However, finding safe and properly regulated marijuana products can be a challenge. While marijuana carries health risks regardless of contamination, researchers warn that its increasing potency and widespread use can negatively impact mental health and brain function. An additional concern for users is the presence of harmful substances such as pesticides, heavy metals, and molds in vape products and edibles. Although state…

FridayFeb 07, 2025 10:00 am

Authorities Point to Cartel-Linked Cannabis Grows as Oklahoma Market Experiences Glut

Authorities in Oklahoma are worried that the state’s booming medical marijuana industry may be fueling the growth of the illicit cannabis market. Oklahoma legalized medical cannabis in 2018 and by 2021 there were over 9,400 registered grow operations competing to fulfill the state’s demand for cannabis. While the number of licensed growers had fallen to over 2,200 by December 2024, Oklahoma’s illegal cannabis market seems to be growing in leaps and bounds. The market has become so prolific that experts have raised questions about the integrity of Oklahoma’s legal systems and the state’s public safety. Like every U.S. state with…

ThursdayFeb 06, 2025 11:25 pm

420 with CNW — New Hampshire House Committee Discusses Measure to Legalize Recreational Cannabis

A House committee in New Hampshire recently convened to discuss one of three different proposals aimed at legalizing recreational cannabis in the state. The committee reviewed House Bill 186, introduced by Representative Jared Sullivan. The proposal would permit adults from age 21 to possess up to ten grams of concentrate and two ounces of cannabis flower. It would also allow individuals to cultivate up to six marijuana plants for personal use at home. Consumers would have the opportunity to purchase lab-tested and labeled products from stores regulated by the state. HB 186 is one of two legalization measures that Representative…

ThursdayFeb 06, 2025 10:00 am

Colorado Marijuana Firm’s Testing Experiment Reveals Extent of Pesticide, Microbial Contaminants

A recent review of Colorado’s recreational marijuana products has revealed that over 85% of the products sold by regulated cannabis retailers may violate labeling and health laws. An analysis conducted by one cannabis operator found a shocking amount of microbial and pesticide contaminants in a majority of retail adult-use products Colorado residents consume. In November 2024, Ripple CEO Justin Singer instructed his staffers to purchase cannabis pre-rolls, shakes, and flower from marijuana retailers in the Denver area. Singer was frustrated by the Colorado Marijuana Enforcement Division’s (MED) seeming reluctance to carry out its mandate of ensuring state-regulated marijuana products are…

WednesdayFeb 05, 2025 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Colorado Springs Residents Sue City Over Vote to Repeal Recreational Marijuana

Two residents of Colorado Springs have taken legal action against the city over an upcoming ballot initiative in April that seeks to overturn a voter-approved policy permitting recreational cannabis sales. The case was submitted on Friday on behalf of Adam Gillard, El Paso County Progressive Veterans’ executive director, and Renze Waddington, a medical cannabis dispensary owner. It claims that the City Council disregarded Colorado’s Amendment 64, which states that any local ballot initiative that seeks to outlaw the sale of marijuana for recreational purposes must be on the ballot for a general election in an even-numbered year. “This council’s attempt…

TuesdayFeb 04, 2025 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Why 2025 Could Be a Great Year for Marijuana Investors

The marijuana capital markets have encountered substantial hurdles in recent years. Investors who have been in the industry since 2019 have witnessed every phase of the market—from thrilling peaks to somber valleys. Notwithstanding these swings, the present environment presents a remarkable chance for strategic investors because of alluring valuations, creative deal formats, and the capacity to assist top-tier management teams. The struggle for capital access has significantly altered the industry’s competitive dynamics. Businesses have had to either adapt or collapse as a result of the drying up of various funding sources during the last two years. Two distinct categories have…

TuesdayFeb 04, 2025 10:00 am

Missouri Courts Close to Completing Review of Marijuana Expungements

Missouri courts are close to completing their review of cannabis expungements after expunging hundreds of thousands of cannabis cases. The review began after Missouri voters approved a constitutional amendment to legalize adult use marijuana in 2022 and has seen state courts expunge over 300,000 cases. The amendment instructed Missouri courts to search their files for eligible cannabis-related offenses and permanently remove them from the records of affected Missourians. The largest counties in Missouri are mostly done with the bulk of the review process but it will likely continue well into 2025. Estimates from the Missouri Supreme Court show that counties…

MondayFeb 03, 2025 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Poll Finds Cannabis Helps Most People Cut Their Alcohol Intake

A recent survey reveals that over 50% of cannabis users reduce or completely stop their alcohol consumption after using marijuana. The poll, conducted by NuggMD, a marijuana telehealth platform, lends credence to the expanding theory of a substitution effect, according to which people are increasingly choosing marijuana because they believe it to be safer compared to alcohol. When asked about the impact of marijuana use on their drinking habits, 54% of respondents reported drinking less or completely stopping. Meanwhile, 22% stated that cannabis did not affect their alcohol consumption, and 14% said it depended on the situation. Only 9% indicated…

FridayJan 31, 2025 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Scientists Link Marijuana Smoke at Home to Secondhand Exposure in Children

A recently published JAMA study explored the effects of home marijuana smoking on children’s exposure to secondhand marijuana smoke (SHCS). Researchers in the U.S. used urinary biomarkers to assess the levels of delta 9 THC and its metabolites in kids, aiming to measure the extent of exposure and show the importance of preventive actions to protect their health. The study analyzed Project Fresh Air data, which included households in San Diego County with children under 14 and at least one tobacco smoker. Researchers combined air particle monitoring data with parental reports of marijuana use at home to assess the SHCS…

FridayJan 31, 2025 10:00 am

Congressional Researchers Express Uncertainty of Marijuana Reclassification During Trump’s Term

Congressional researchers say they are uncertain whether the previous administration’s tentative plans to reschedule marijuana will advance under President Donald Trump. Former President Biden and his administration had proposed rescheduling marijuana from Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) to Schedule III, but the plans didn’t crystallize before Biden’s term elapsed. With President Trump publicly stating his disapproval of many of Biden’s measures, congressional researchers say it ‘remains to be seen’ how he will handle marijuana rescheduling. The Congressional Research Service (CRS) published a report analyzing various marijuana-specific topics lawmakers could consider when Congress opens for sessions. In addition…