420 with CNW Archives - Page 45 of 307

WednesdayFeb 14, 2024 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Teenage Brains More Susceptible to Cannabis Harm

Only 35% of 12- to-17-year-olds believe that smoking cannabis at least twice a week carries a major risk, according to the 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). This low perception of risk among teenagers is concerning and is partly fueled by the widespread availability of marijuana, leading to the mistaken belief that it is entirely safe, states Beth Ebel, a pediatrician affiliated with Seattle Children’s Hospital and the University of Washington School of Medicine. The main psychoactive ingredient in cannabis, THC, alters brain chemistry to produce a “high.” The THC may have unexpected consequences on the brain,…

TuesdayFeb 13, 2024 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Judge Rejects Challenge by Out-of-State Residents Against New York’s Cannabis Program

A recent ruling by a federal judge Anne M. Nardacci has dismissed a lawsuit challenging New York’s cannabis licensing program. The lawsuit, filed by two applicants from California, argued that the program unfairly discriminates against non-New York state residents. The ruling would allow the state to grant more licenses, which would have a big effect on a market that is primarily controlled by illegal businesses. According to Nardacci, the public’s interest in allowing legitimately licensed entities to dominate the market outweighs the issues brought up by the plaintiffs. She noted that the plaintiffs-cited dormant Commerce Provision does not apply to…

MondayFeb 12, 2024 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Virginia Assembly Committee Approves Cannabis Bill Permitting Sales

A recently amended measure, HB 698, advanced by a Virginia Assembly subcommittee, seeks to permit existing medical cannabis dispensaries and certain small businesses to commence recreational marijuana sales in January next year, with more retailers expected to be licensed by year-end. A medical marijuana operator has to quickly establish six microbusinesses to capitalize on an early launch date. The present form of the law would provide $400,000 in funding to each of these microbusinesses. In turn, microbusiness licenses would require that at least two-thirds of the individuals directly controlling the enterprise meet certain social-equity requirements, with preference going to those…

FridayFeb 09, 2024 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Texas AG Wants Court to Reverse Cannabis Decriminalization in Five Cities

Texas attorney general Ken Paxton is asking the court to overturn cannabis decriminalization policies passed and implemented in five cities and has vowed to overrule the “pro-crime extremists” who championed cannabis reform in the Texas cities. The Republican filed suits against the cities of San Marcos, Austin, Denton, Killeen and Elgin earlier this week to overturn their voter-passed cannabis decriminalization measures. In the filings, Paxton cited relevant state constitutional and statute provisions and argued that these provisions prevented local governments from approving policies that were in conflict with state law. The AG also issued a press release stating that he…

ThursdayFeb 08, 2024 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Senate Democrats Implore Feds to Remove Marijuana from CSA

In a recent letter to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), 12 Senate Democrat legislators have urged President Joseph Biden’s administration to reconsider federal cannabis restrictions as the agency contemplates cannabis rescheduling. The letter, signed by the Senate Majority Leader and spearheaded by Senators Elizabeth Warren and John Fetterman, highlights the strong argument in favor of taking cannabis out of Schedule I. The senators suggest removing it completely from the CSA in addition to downgrading its classification. In August 2023, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HSS) recommended moving marijuana from Schedule I to III of the Controlled…

WednesdayFeb 07, 2024 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Officials Say Marijuana Dispute Possibly Linked to Six Fatalities in California

Officials believe the recent California desert killings may have resulted from a dispute over cannabis. After responding to a wellness check request outside the El Mirage community, San Bernardino County Sheriff’s deputies recently discovered the bodies of six individuals at a remote dirt crossroad in the Mojave Desert. Deputies found the victims in and near two vehicles at a remote intersection after one of the victims called the police and said that he had been shot but didn’t know his location. After tracking the victim’s phone’s location, deputies discovered five bodies in a Chevy Trailblazer and a Dodge Caravan as…

WednesdayFeb 07, 2024 4:20 am

420 with CNW — Data Provides Insights on Canadian Cannabis Company Closures in 2023

According to new data given by regulators overseeing the three major Canadian cannabis marketplaces — British Columbia, Ontario and Alberta — an unprecedented number of stores in Canada experienced shutdowns or ownership changes in 2023. The data, sought by MJBizDaily, indicates a retail environment characterized by intense competition in certain places and moderate growth in others. Alberta saw a shift in dynamics as, for the first time since marijuana was legalized in the province in 2018, more marijuana retail licenses were revoked or not renewed than were issued last year. Forty-eight new marijuana store licenses were issued in the province…

TuesdayFeb 06, 2024 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Spotlight PA Legal Victory Opens Door to Cannabis Research

Following a protracted 15-month court battle in 2022, Pennsylvania’s independent newspaper “Spotlight PA,” which specializes in investigative reporting, was able to obtain information about the requirements for the statewide medical cannabis program. The arduous triumph in 2022 opened the door for an extensive inquiry based on those obtained documents, which were released last year. According to the state’s Department of Health spokesperson, the data has now been shared with other users, including academic researchers throughout the state. The data has also assisted in improving understanding of the state’s medical cannabis program. Scientists affiliated with Geisinger Healthcare System, including Brian Piper,…

TuesdayFeb 06, 2024 4:20 am

420 with CNW — DEA Settles Lawsuit, Agrees to Rehire Agent Fired for Positive CBD Test

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) recently rehired an agent that was fired almost five years ago after the agent tested positive for tetrahydrocannabinol during a drug screening. Anthony Armour, the agent in question, was terminated in 2019 by the federal agency. In 2023, Armour filed a suit against the agency in the Federal Circuit’s Court of Appeals, arguing that the DEA had no grounds to fire him without any evidence that he’d intended to break the law. In his suit, Armour asserted that he was using what he thought to be a hemp product that was federally legal as…

MondayFeb 05, 2024 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Virginia Senate Committee Advances Cannabis Sales Bill as Deadline Looms

Last week, the Virginia Rehabilitation and Social Services Senate Committee passed a proposal to legalize commercial cannabis sales by a 10 to 5 vote. The bill, SB 448, introduced by Senator Aaron Rouse, aims to initiate the licensing of recreational cannabis businesses starting this July. However, retail licenses would not be accessible until next year. Subject to voter approval, the measure gives local governments the authority to potentially outlaw commercial marijuana operations. SB 448 will move on to the Senate’s justice committee next week. Subsequently, it will undergo evaluation in the finance committee, where a crucial deadline of Feb. 5,…