420 with CNW Archives - Page 3 of 292

TuesdayApr 01, 2025 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Bills Improving Medical Marijuana Oversight in Pennsylvania Advance Following Media Investigations

Pennsylvania lawmakers are stepping up their scrutiny of the state’s medical cannabis program following investigative reports by Spotlight PA. A recent measure aimed at increasing oversight of doctors involved in the program gained strong bipartisan support in the state House, moving forward in March. Additionally, state Senator Rosemary Brown cited the newsroom’s reports while questioning officials from the Shapiro administration. Brown raised concerns about medical cannabis prescribing practices during a budget hearing in February, asking what measures were in place to prevent potential abuses. Her concerns align with investigations revealing that some doctors approve a disproportionately high number of medical…

MondayMar 31, 2025 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Why M&A Activity Could Be Declining in the Marijuana Industry

According to statistics from Viridian Capital Advisors, a data analytics and investment banking firm based in New York, there was a 33% drop in the value of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) from the $1.74bn in 2023 to the $1.16bn registered last year. Frank Colombo, the MD of Viridian discussed a number of factors that could explain this trend. Colombo explains that the cash situation within the marijuana industry is very tight. He adds that many M&A deals have tanked because firms have been trying to conserve cash during the recent two years. He explains that the motivation behind marijuana M&A…

FridayMar 28, 2025 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — How California Keeps Legally Grown Marijuana Safe for Consumption

Walking into Vibe Cultivators, an indoor marijuana farm in Sacramento, California, the first thing you notice is the strong, unmistakable smell of marijuana. The facility is filled with rows of plants stacked on two levels, bathed in artificial light. “Every plant here is tagged,” explains Brian Prichard, Vibe’s founder. The state-mandated tags prove the farm is fully licensed and not part of an underground operation. Each tag includes the grower’s name, license number, and a unique ID for tracking purposes. Prichard reflects on how much the industry has changed since California legalized cannabis. In the past, secrecy was a necessity,…

ThursdayMar 27, 2025 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Report Indicates California Registered Significant Marijuana Production Increase

California’s legal marijuana production rose by 11.8% in 2024, reaching 1.4 million pounds, according to a newly released report by the state’s Department of Cannabis Control (DCC). Despite this growth, the illegal cannabis trade remains dominant, with unlicensed production estimated at 11.4 million pounds. Although its exact destinations remain unclear, a significant portion of this illicit marijuana finds its way outside California. The report highlights a significant gap between legal production and total marijuana consumption within California, which stands at 3.8 million pounds annually. Illegal sales within the state nearly double those of licensed retailers, indicating that while the legal…

WednesdayMar 26, 2025 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Gov. Hochul Signs Bills Expanding Program for Cannabis Farmers’ Markets in NY

New York’s governor, Kathy Hochul, has officially signed two measures that expand the state’s cannabis farmers’ market program. The measures allow licensed marijuana businesses to form broader partnerships and host independent “pop-up” functions. The state first introduced marijuana farmers’ markets in 2023 to accelerate consumer access while traditional retail licenses were still being processed. This also helped growers sell their products more easily. However, the program ended in January 2024. In December, Hochul signed a law to reinstate it, and now the newly approved legislation further enhances its scope. The bills, sponsored by Assemblymember Donna Lupardo and Senator Michelle Hinchey,…

TuesdayMar 25, 2025 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — New Poll Finds Majority in Utah Support Recreational Marijuana Legalization

A recent poll conducted on behalf of a Utah medical marijuana advocacy group indicates that most Utah residents would support a ballot initiative to legalize recreational marijuana. The survey results show that 52% of voters favor such a measure—the same percentage that approved medical marijuana in the state in 2018. Despite the survey results, Alex Iorg, co-founder of Wholesome Co. and a member of the newly formed group “Keep Utah Medical,” believes the state is not yet ready for recreational cannabis. He suggested that unless the medical program is improved, broader legalization may become inevitable. “If we don’t make it…

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…

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…

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…