420 with CNW Archives - Page 40 of 312

MondayJul 01, 2024 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Florida Medical Cannabis Patients Surprised by Email Blast

Florida boasts more than 700,000 medical cannabis patients, and GOP Governor Ron DeSantis, who is currently opposing a proposal to legalize recreational cannabis, wants to highlight his achievements to this targeted group. Recently, Florida’s Health Department sent out an email to medical-cannabis patients, praising DeSantis for signing the state’s budget. The email also promoted a cancer research initiative by First Lady Casey DeSantis and highlighted various health issues addressed in the budget, including syphilis, HIV and hepatitis. However, the email did not mention medical cannabis, which has raised concerns among advocates and patients who argue that the administration misused the…

FridayJun 28, 2024 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Ohio Companies Prepare for Recreational Cannabis Sales Launch

Ohio’s move from solely medical cannabis sales to also allowing recreational sales is taking a unique path compared to other states. The specific date for the start of recreational sales remains unclear, even though the application period for converting medical cannabis licenses to dual-use began on June 7, 2024. Industry insiders anticipate that the first dual-use licenses might be approved in the coming weeks, but state officials have not confirmed this timeline. Ohio’s regulators are also prioritizing applications from testing labs, cultivators and processors over retailers. This means cannabis businesses and consumers will see approvals happen in stages based on…

ThursdayJun 27, 2024 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Study Finds Opioids, Alcohol Cause Worse SecondHand Harms Compared to Marijuana Use

A recent nationwide study has revealed that secondhand harm from cannabis use is significantly less common than that from alcohol. The study, which surveyed thousands, found that respondents were almost six times more likely to report secondhand alcohol harm than cannabis harm. The perceived risks associated with opioids and other substances also outweighed those associated with marijuana. The study analyzed responses from 7,799 participants in the 2020 United States National Alcohol Survey. It showed that more than one-third (34.2%) of respondents had experienced alcohol-related secondhand harm at some point in their lives. In contrast, only 5.5% reported experiencing secondhand harm…

WednesdayJun 26, 2024 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Opponents of Cannabis Rescheduling Slam Process FDA Relied On

Representatives of the prohibitionist organization Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) have expressed their disapproval of the government’s plan to categorize cannabis as a Schedule 3 substance. They criticized the move as politically driven and not based on scientific evidence. The group is now exploring all legal avenues to challenge this change and is rallying its supporters to oppose it. Kevin Sabet, SAM president and CEO, spoke during an online meeting, expressing strong disapproval of the federal officials behind the rescheduling proposal. He argued that the recommendation seemed outdated and inappropriate for 2024. Sabet emphasized that the process is far from…

TuesdayJun 25, 2024 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Florida Medical Cannabis Doctors Concerned About Possible Disruptions Once Recreational Use Legalized

Florida’s initiative to legalize recreational marijuana is causing a significant divide within the state's medical cannabis sector. Florida’s largest medical cannabis company, Trulieve Cannabis Corp. (CSE: TRUL) (OTCQX: TCNNF), is supporting Amendment 3, which seeks to legalize recreational cannabis for adults over age 21. However, approximately 2,000 doctors certified to prescribe medical marijuana are expressing concerns. They warn that this amendment could disrupt access for the state’s 882,000 medical-cannabis patients. The influx of recreational users could deplete the marijuana products and specific strains that patients rely on for conditions such as severe pain. The passage of Amendment 3 may also…

MondayJun 24, 2024 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Two New Books Explore Marijuana’s Medical Powers

For those interested in exploring marijuana’s medical benefits, two recently published books —Josh Leddy’s “Living with Cannabis: A Personal Journey” and Dr. Benjamin Caplan’s “The Doctor-Approved Cannabis Handbook” — provide essential insights. The books offer both professional guidance and firsthand accounts, making them invaluable for anyone curious about cannabis’s therapeutic uses. The book by Dr. Benjamin Caplan offers a thorough manual on medical marijuana use. Caplan, a board-certified family physician with experience treating more than 250,000 patients, reveals his in-depth understanding of the ways that cannabis can help with a range of ailments, including cancer, sleeplessness, cognitive decline and chronic…

FridayJun 21, 2024 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — White House Objects to Proposal Seeking to End Cannabis Testing for Army Recruits

The Biden administration has expressed its opposition to a proposal that would prevent military branches from testing for cannabis use as part of the commissioning or enlistment process, noting concerns about how it could impact military readiness and safety. The White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) released a statement on June 11, 2024, outlining its policy concerns regarding various elements of the 2025 NDAA. The bill is currently under consideration by the Rules Committee for upcoming House action. One specific provision that the administration opposes is Section 532. This section would prohibit military branches from requiring cannabis tests…

ThursdayJun 20, 2024 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Cannabis Operators Applaud End of Potency Tax in New York State

New York governor Kathy Hochul has successfully changed the state’s cannabis tax structure. Starting June 1, 2024, a new flat excise tax replaces the previous potency tax, marking the beginning of the new financial year. This move is part of New York’s $237 billion budget for FY 2025 and is receiving positive feedback from many in the cannabis industry, especially smaller retailers, processors and social-equity beneficiaries. With the tax reform, retail marijuana prices are expected to decrease, a significant development as licensed cannabis entities strive to compete with the numerous illegal shops, particularly in New York City. Governor Hochul had…

TuesdayJun 18, 2024 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Slumping Marijuana Market in Colorado Triggers Industry Concern

In 2014, a Denver-based cannabis dispensary, 3D Cannabis, made history as the first seller of legal marijuana. Over a decade later, the dispensary bears a sign saying it is “temporarily closed," with the building’s doors and windows boarded up and the parking lot strewn with trash, symbolizing the challenges facing Colorado’s marijuana market. Once a thriving success, the industry is now marked by failed entities and struggling entrepreneurs due to regulatory challenges, market saturation and increased competition from neighboring states. The market’s sales peaked in 2020 at $2.2 billion. But by 2023, revenues had fallen to $1.5 billion, which led…

MondayJun 17, 2024 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — DeSantis Vetoes Bill Banning Hemp Intoxicants in Florida

As Florida governor Ron DeSantis campaigns against a ballot initiative for cannabis legalization, he has paradoxically vetoed a bill aimed at banning the sale of intoxicating hemp-derived cannabinoids in the state. This decision comes in the wake of reports that Governor DeSantis intended to block the hemp prohibition bill, hoping the hemp industry would financially support his campaign against the cannabis measure that voters will decide on in November. Although DeSantis did not explicitly reference the cannabis legalization measure in his veto letter, he noted that while the goals of SB 1698 are admirable, the measure would impose significant regulatory…