420 with CNW Archives - Page 88 of 307

FridayMar 24, 2023 4:20 am

420 with CNW — Analysis Finds Wisconsin Residents Bought $121M Worth of Marijuana from Illinois in 2022

A new analysis shows that residents in the state of Wisconsin bought $121.2 millions worth of cannabis from licensed retailers in Illinois last year. This contributed roughly $36 million in taxes to the neighboring state. The data was requested by Melissa Agard, the Senate Majority Leader, who asked the Legislative Fiscal Bureau to look into how much was going into Illinois through out-of-state marijuana purchases. Agard has in past sessions sponsored legalization measures. The nonpartisan bureau released its results last week after examining data obtained from the Department of Financial & Professional Regulation in Illinois, which breaks down monthly out-of-state…

ThursdayMar 23, 2023 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Kentucky Senate Approves Medical Cannabis Legalization Bill

The Kentucky Senate recently passed medical cannabis legislation, just in time for the bill to advance to the House of Representatives. The move comes two days after the bill, SB 47, was approved by the Senate Licensing and Occupations Committee. Previously, a bill to legalize medical marijuana was passed by the House last year and in a previous session, but the Senate did not take any action on those bills. Thus, proponents began working on the Senate side this session to improve the bill's chances of passage. Some provisions of the measure include: Patients with severe pain, cancer, epilepsy, muscle…

ThursdayMar 23, 2023 4:20 am

420 with CNW — Kentucky Legislators Approve Medical Cannabis Bill

After years of hitting a brick wall, proponents of medical cannabis legalization in Kentucky have made progress when their legislation won support from a significant Republican leader and passed a Senate committee. Applause broke out from supporters when Senate Majority Leader Damon Thayer changed his vote from opposing the legislation to supporting it. Thayer approved the specific objectives of the bill and stated that he supported it because of those who were suffering. During the bill debate, opponents of the measure sympathized with those who experienced chronic pain and other conditions, but they cautioned that marijuana use could be addictive…

WednesdayMar 22, 2023 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Cannabis Legalization Bill in Minnesota Sees Major Overhaul

Earlier this year, a Minnesota House committee approved a measure to legalize recreational cannabis for adults in the state. The legislation was an updated version of a recreational cannabis bill that had advanced from the Minnesota House but failed to pass the then-Republican-controlled Senate. Once it was approved, the bill was set to be scrutinized by more than 10 committees in the House before heading to the Senate. The recreational cannabis measure recently got a major overhaul and was amended to include new language to protect Minnesota’s nascent low-potency drinkables and edibles segment. Low-potency cannabis products are made using THC…

WednesdayMar 22, 2023 4:20 am

420 with CNW — German Minister Confident That EU Will Sign Off on Germany’s Adult-Use Cannabis Proposals

Last year, German lawmakers unveiled a measure that would legalize recreational cannabis in the country. The bill would allow adults aged 21 years and older to purchase and possess up to 30 grams of cannabis for personal use as well as legalize the home cultivation of up to three mature cannabis plants per adult. Speaking at the time, Health Minister Karl Lauterbach said that the measure would help to protect the country’s young people as the current ban on recreational cannabis had proven to be ineffective. Although the measure still hadn’t received parliamentary approval at the time, the largest hurdle…

TuesdayMar 21, 2023 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Synthetic Cannabinoids Drive Wedge Between Hemp, Marijuana Industries

Gold Spectrum, a hemp company based in Tennessee, is the most recent company to introduce a new line of edibles called Delta 8+ THC-O Cereal Bars, widening the rift between the hemp and marijuana industries. Since the 2018 farm bill's passage, delta-8 THC has gained widespread acceptance as a marijuana substitute in states where it is illegal, including Tennessee. THC-O is a relatively recent discovery; it is a synthetic cannabinoid produced through chemical synthesis that packs an intoxicating punch. It is also not covered by the farm bill such as naturally occurring cannabinoids derived from hemp. However, a growing number…

TuesdayMar 21, 2023 4:20 am

420 with CNW — Adult-Use Cannabis Demand Exceeds Projections in Missouri

Since Missouri dispensaries started selling marijuana for recreational purposes more than a month ago, demand has outpaced expectations. In November 2022, a measure allowing for recreational cannabis sales was approved, opening the door for the establishment of dispensaries in the state. Marijuana sales reached $102.9 million in February, with recreational sales accounting for $71.7 million of the total. The first weekend of sales brought in $13 million. In addition to experiencing astronomical sales and customer numbers in its first month, Missouri has seen a nearly 50% increase in the wholesale price of marijuana flower. According to LeafLink — a wholesale…

MondayMar 20, 2023 4:20 am

420 with CNW — Bill Targeting Illicit Marijuana Grows Designed to Safeguard Users from Pesticides

A bipartisan pair of congressional lawmakers has refiled a draft law meant to address the growing problem of illicit cannabis plantations on federal land. The lawmakers framed the legislation as a much-needed tool for the government to rein in illegal cannabis grows that are polluting the environment and risking marijuana consumers’ health. Although dozens of states have launched medical and recreational cannabis markets, America’s illicit cannabis market is still thriving. Licensed sellers struggle to compete with the illicit market as high taxes, and rigid rules have made legal cannabis several times more expensive than black-market marijuana. As a result, the…

FridayMar 17, 2023 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Congressional Lawmakers Want Cannabis Scheduling Review More Transparent

On March 9, 2023, a group of nonpartisan Congress legislators penned a letter to senior Biden administration figures asking for transparency on the president's ongoing review of marijuana's legalization. A draft of the letter was recently distributed by Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) among Congress for signatures before being sent to Xavier Becerra, secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), and Merrick Garland, United States attorney general. According to the letter’s content, Biden's scheduling directive presents a chance to evaluate the causes and effects of federal law in an open-minded manner. It also states that cannabis scheduling was based on prejudice…

FridayMar 17, 2023 4:20 am

420 with CNW — Bipartisan Legislators File Bill Allowing Those with Drug Convictions Access to Hemp Industry

Bipartisan congressional legislators have filed a new measure to end the "discriminatory" federal rule that prevents people with prior felonies for drug offenses from owning or operating legal hemp businesses. The "Free to Grow Act," sponsored by Representatives Chellie Pingree (D-ME), David Trone (D-MD), Nancy Mace (R-SC) and Dave Joyce (R-OH), focuses only on the section of the 2018 Farm Bill that dealt with prior convictions and federal legalized hemp. Pingree stated that in spite of legalization, the industry's expansion is being hampered by bureaucracy, regulatory uncertainty and discriminatory policy. Congress is expected to approve a new farm bill version…