420 with CNW Archives - Page 37 of 307

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 These earlier studies often relied on outdated data when marijuana was less potent and faced…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…

ThursdayMay 23, 2024 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Adult-Use Cannabis Sales Could Begin in Ohio by June

The sale of recreational cannabis is on track to commence around mid-June in Ohio following the recent approval of new licensing regulations for dispensaries. Since December 2023, when a voter-approved statute came into effect, the state has been in a state of uncertainty regarding recreational sales. While individuals 21 years and older were permitted to cultivate and use marijuana at home, the absence of legal avenues for purchase raised concerns about the emergence of a black market, prompting attention from Governor Mike DeWine and certain GOP legislators. The Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review granted passage to the regulations necessary…

WednesdayMay 22, 2024 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Impact of Federal Marijuana Reclassification on State-Level Programs Remains Unclear

A proposal put forth by Merrick Garland, U.S. Attorney General, calls for a relaxation of federal laws prohibiting marijuana. However, this move does not imply the federal government’s endorsement of medical or recreational marijuana use in the numerous states where it has been legalized. Shifting cannabis from its current classification as one of the most hazardous and least beneficial substances to a less severe category indicates a desire within the federal government, particularly under Biden's administration, to alleviate restrictions on a substance that has gained legality in an increasing number of states over the past decade. Over the years, federal…