420 with CNW Archives - Page 28 of 298

FridayJun 07, 2024 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Daily Marijuana Use Has Now Overtaken Alcohol Use in the US

According to a recent survey, the number of Americans who use marijuana daily or almost daily has increased relative to those who use alcohol at the same frequency. The findings, which have been published in the “Addiction Journal,” are based on information gathered over the previous 40 years by the National Survey on Drug Use and Health. According to the report, 17.7 million people used cannabis daily in 2022, overtaking the 14.7 million people who drink alcohol every day for the first time. Although alcohol is still consumed more frequently overall, the survey shows that daily cannabis consumption has significantly…

ThursdayJun 06, 2024 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Republic of South Africa President Signs Bill Legalizing Marijuana

The president of South Africa has formally signed a measure making adult use, growing and possession of cannabis legal. Just one day before the national elections, President Cyril Ramaphosa signed the Cannabis for Private Purposes Act (CfPPA) into law. The National Council of Provinces gave its support to the bill in February after it was enacted by the National Assembly in November 2023. This legislative change has been in development for several years, beginning with a 2018 Constitutional Court ruling that declared the ban on marijuana cultivation and simple possession unconstitutional, requiring legislative amendments in two years. Although the bill…

WednesdayJun 05, 2024 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Marijuana Reclassification Could Result in Greener Farming Methods

Could the reclassification of cannabis lead to significant reductions in energy consumption by commercial marijuana cultivators and overall improvement in the industry’s environmental impact? It’s well-known that indoor marijuana cultivation facilities have a major environmental and energy footprint. This is largely due to the massive electricity consumption required for robust HVAC systems, horticultural lighting, and numerous fans and pumps needed to create optimal growing conditions. Although the exact details of a post-scheduling cannabis industry in the United States are unknown, we can learn from the controlled-environment agriculture (CEA) industry about potential changes in cannabis growing, such as the adoption of…

TuesdayJun 04, 2024 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Study Finds Adolescents’ Use of Marijuana Heightens Psychotic Disorders Risk

A recent study featured in the “Psychological Medicine” journal delves into the relationship between adolescent marijuana use and the development of psychotic disorders. The research indicates a significant increase in psychotic disorder risks during adolescence linked to marijuana use, a risk that is particularly pronounced with the stronger marijuana products available today. Interestingly, this increased risk does not extend into young adulthood. Previous studies have suggested a link between youth marijuana use and psychotic disorders, noting a higher likelihood of such disorders among marijuana users. These earlier studies often relied on outdated data when marijuana was less potent and faced…

MondayJun 03, 2024 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Police Groups Support Bill to Authorize Cannabis Interstate Commerce, End Federal Prohibition in States

A bipartisan initiative aiming at terminating federal enforcement of marijuana laws in states where it is legal has the backing of two significant law enforcement organizations: the Oregon Coalition of Police and Sheriffs (ORCOPS) and the Peace Officers Research Association of California (PORAC). The huge tobacco and alcohol businesses are among the members of the Coalition for Cannabis Policy, Education, and Regulation (CPEAR), which made this endorsement announcement. The bill, known as the STATES 2.0 Act, has gained backing from prominent lawmakers, including Representative Dave Joyce, the primary sponsor. Joyce, a former prosecutor, expressed gratitude toward the law enforcement associations…

FridayMay 31, 2024 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Reports Indicate DEA Didn’t Support Marijuana Reclassification

In a secluded section of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) headquarters known as the 12th-floor “bubble,” director Anne Milgram called a special “marijuana meeting” in March 2024 where she made an unusual request: no one was allowed to take notes. During the meeting, she informed her top deputies that the Biden administration was about to reschedule cannabis as a less-harmful substance, a significant move toward federal legalization that the agency has historically opposed. Moreover, Milgram disclosed that this reclassification would be handled by the U. S. Department of Justice, not the DEA, and the final decision would be signed…

FridayMay 31, 2024 10:00 am

New York’s OCM Head Resigns in Wake of Gov. Hochul’s Criticism

Last week, the executive director of the Office of Cannabis Management in the state of New York resigned. In an email, Chris Alexander stated that despite the deep commitment and connection to the work and his team, he had no confidence in his ability to do the job and effectively lead the team under present circumstances. This move comes after Governor Kathy Hochul expressed her disappointment in January at how the agency had been managed. At the time, the governor referred to the legal market’s launch as a disaster and ordered that a review be conducted into the office by…

ThursdayMay 30, 2024 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Marijuana Research Hurdles Could Remain Despite Federal Rescheduling

The Biden administration’s decision to reclassify cannabis as a less-harmful drug might ease some research challenges, though scientists caution that obstacles will persist. Ziva Cooper, director of the UCLA Center for Marijuana and Cannabinoids, described this moment as historically significant but expressed cautious optimism about the actual implementation of these changes. Although many Americans now live in states where marijuana is legal, federal restrictions have historically constrained research into its effects and applications. Researchers who have long studied marijuana believe this reclassification could boost funding and interest in research. However, they acknowledge that regulatory and logistical issues may still dampen…

WednesdayMay 29, 2024 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Marijuana Companies Ask Court to Stream Online Proceedings of Case Against Federal Prohibition

Leading cannabis companies are urging a federal court to permit the public to attend a hearing virtually in a lawsuit where the companies are requesting protection for in-state marijuana activities from federal interference. The U.S. Department of Justice has stated it holds “no stance” on this request. The hearing will take place before the United States District Court for the Western Division of the District of Massachusetts. The plaintiffs’ attorneys highlighted in a motion that the disagreement raises issues of public interest. They reported receiving a lot of requests from the media to watch the hearing online, as most can’t…

TuesdayMay 28, 2024 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Biden Welcomes Marijuana Reclassification, Slams ‘Failed Approach’

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has moved to reschedule marijuana as a less-hazardous narcotic, marking the most substantial drug-policy reform in the nation in more than half a century. President Joseph Biden celebrated the move as a crucial step toward correcting historical injustices. This marks a notable shift for President Biden, who, 30 years ago, was instrumental in crafting stringent crime legislation that is now a source of political contention. This change could bolster Biden’s appeal among younger voters, a demographic crucial for his re-election campaign. The new proposal, announced on May 16, 2024, stops short of fully legalizing…