420 with CNW Archives - Page 31 of 299

TuesdayApr 30, 2024 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — More States Could Mark Upcoming 4/20s with Legal Access to Marijuana

Marijuana remains prohibited under federal law in the United States, yet a significant number of states have opted to legalize its recreational use. Currently, 24 states and the District of Columbia (“DC”) have passed legislation permitting recreational cannabis, as reported by the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML). Additionally, 38 states and DC have established regulations allowing for medical cannabis usage. A recent survey conducted by the Pew Research Center highlights that a large majority of American adults, accounting for 88%, advocate for the legalization of marijuana. Within this majority, 32% express support for its legalization solely…

MondayApr 29, 2024 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Politicians Tout Cannabis Policy Reform Progress as 4/20 Celebrations Take Place

Lawmakers from various states in the United States joined in the celebration of the 4/20 cannabis holiday on Saturday, April 20, 2024, adding their support to the growing movement for cannabis reform. While this day has traditionally been a time festivities within the marijuana community, it has also become a platform for politicians to advocate for further reform, reflecting the increasing bipartisan backing for the issue. In the lead-up to 4/20, members of Congress and advocates intensified their efforts to promote reform. This included calls for full legalization and proposals to enable banks to engage with state-regulated cannabis businesses. Representative…

MondayApr 29, 2024 10:00 am

Missouri AG Starts Investigating Intoxicating Hemp Derivatives

Earlier this week, Missouri’s AG began investigations in a bid to limit intoxicating hemp products. The issue, according to Attorney General Andrew Bailey, is products such as delta-8 vape pens and edibles, which aren’t labeled clearly for consumers. In his press release, the attorney general stated that people in Missouri had a right to know if the products they were buying had any serious or possibly dangerous side effects, such as hallucinations, severe confusion and psychotic episodes. Intoxicating products made from hemp are unregulated. Despite this, they are still sold in places such as gas stations and bars because hemp…

FridayApr 26, 2024 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Maine Sounds Alarm on Illicit Marijuana Linked to Chinese Gangs

Maine is becoming the new hub for the illegal cannabis trade, with numerous unlicensed cultivation houses scattered across the state, according to a recent investigation conducted by CBS News. This trend mirrors a broader phenomenon unfolding countrywide, with illegal cannabis farms sprouting up in various states, such as Colorado, Oklahoma and California, as highlighted by the DEA’s former head of operations, Raymond Donovan. Donovan attributes Maine’s strategic suitability for marijuana cultivation to its discreet geographical location and proximity to prominent distribution hubs such as New York and Boston. A notable instance occurred in December when law enforcement authorities, after a…

FridayApr 26, 2024 10:00 am

A Decade Later, Colorado Voter Support for Cannabis Legalization Keeps Growing

New surveys show that more than 10 years after voters in Colorado passed a ballot initiative making it the first state in America to legalize adult-use cannabis sales, voters don’t regret their decision. Results from one poll conducted by the Colorado Polling Institute show that about 67% of registered voters saw the reform as a positive change for Colorado. This poll’s results were published in March. A separate poll carried out by Public Policy Polling (PPP) between April 8–9, 2024, determined that more than 71% of voters in the state thought marijuana needed to be legal and regulated in a…

ThursdayApr 25, 2024 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Study Enumerates Therapeutic Effects, Quality of Life Benefits of Medical Cannabis

A recent publication in the “Medical Cannabis and Cannabinoids Journal,” authored by LECOM in collaboration with AYR Wellness (AYR), delves into the effects of medically approved cannabis on patients’ mental, social and physical well-being. The study showed that patients experienced notable enhancements across these domains, including increased energy levels, within the initial 30 days of treatment with medical cannabis. This study is the partnership’s first publication; four further studies examining the medical benefits of cannabis are in the works. The 90-day cohort study involved 103 adults (18 years of age and older) and was designed to evaluate the effects of…

WednesdayApr 24, 2024 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Cannabis Taxes Are Underperforming Expectations in Several States

Approximately one-half of the U.S. population resides in states where recreational cannabis is legally accessible. Furthermore, 11 additional states, including Florida and Wisconsin, are contemplating legalization this year. One of the primary arguments for the legalization of cannabis is the potential for increased state tax income. However, the amount of revenue generated depends on the regulatory decisions made by each state regarding the cannabis industry and the method of taxation employed. Taxes on recreational cannabis typically revolve around factors such as potency, price, weight and quantity, similar to the taxation of other “sin products” such as alcohol and tobacco. Taxation…

TuesdayApr 23, 2024 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — California Authorities Seize Illicit Cannabis Worth $53M

California authorities recently conducted a comprehensive operation aimed at dismantling illegal marijuana operations across the state, seizing more than $53 million worth of illicit cannabis between Jan. 1, 2024, and March 31, 2024. The crackdown spearheaded by the state’s governor’s office targeted search warrants in various counties, including eight in Orange, one in San Joaquin, two in Riverside, one in Los Angeles, two in Alameda, five in Kern and one in Fresno. During the operation, law enforcement confiscated $53,620,600 worth of illegal marijuana along with 31,866 pounds of unlicensed product and 11 firearms. Additionally, approximately 54,137 unlicensed marijuana plants were…

MondayApr 22, 2024 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — FDA Boss Says DEA Doesn’t Have Reason to Delay Cannabis Rescheduling

U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) director Robert Califf noted before a House committee on April 11, 2024, that there is no justification for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to postpone making the much-anticipated decision to move cannabis from Schedule I to III of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). However, Califf suggested that the DEA might treat recreational cannabis differently from medical cannabis, a move that could significantly impact the American marijuana industry. Analysts have speculated on the implications of such a potential distinction, noting that it might result in tax advantages for medical cannabis enterprises over recreational ones.…

FridayApr 19, 2024 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Report Shows the US Cannabis Industry Now Employs 440,000 Full-Time

A recent yearly report on marijuana sector employment in the United States reveals a nearly 5% increase in full-time cannabis jobs over the past year, marking a turnaround from the approximately 2% decline compared to 2022. Despite this increase, it represents the smallest annual growth since 2017. According to the report by Vangst, a Colorado-based cannabis staffing company, and Whitney Economics, an analytics company, legal marijuana in the United States now supports more than 440,000 full-time workers. However, the report highlights that job growth was not evenly distributed across the country. In states such as Michigan where cannabis sales have…