NewsRoom Articles - Page 16 of 599

ThursdayMar 27, 2025 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Report Indicates California Registered Significant Marijuana Production Increase

California’s legal marijuana production rose by 11.8% in 2024, reaching 1.4 million pounds, according to a newly released report by the state’s Department of Cannabis Control (DCC). Despite this growth, the illegal cannabis trade remains dominant, with unlicensed production estimated at 11.4 million pounds. Although its exact destinations remain unclear, a significant portion of this illicit marijuana finds its way outside California. The report highlights a significant gap between legal production and total marijuana consumption within California, which stands at 3.8 million pounds annually. Illegal sales within the state nearly double those of licensed retailers, indicating that while the legal…

WednesdayMar 26, 2025 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Gov. Hochul Signs Bills Expanding Program for Cannabis Farmers’ Markets in NY

New York’s governor, Kathy Hochul, has officially signed two measures that expand the state’s cannabis farmers’ market program. The measures allow licensed marijuana businesses to form broader partnerships and host independent “pop-up” functions. The state first introduced marijuana farmers’ markets in 2023 to accelerate consumer access while traditional retail licenses were still being processed. This also helped growers sell their products more easily. However, the program ended in January 2024. In December, Hochul signed a law to reinstate it, and now the newly approved legislation further enhances its scope. The bills, sponsored by Assemblymember Donna Lupardo and Senator Michelle Hinchey,…

TuesdayMar 25, 2025 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — New Poll Finds Majority in Utah Support Recreational Marijuana Legalization

A recent poll conducted on behalf of a Utah medical marijuana advocacy group indicates that most Utah residents would support a ballot initiative to legalize recreational marijuana. The survey results show that 52% of voters favor such a measure—the same percentage that approved medical marijuana in the state in 2018. Despite the survey results, Alex Iorg, co-founder of Wholesome Co. and a member of the newly formed group “Keep Utah Medical,” believes the state is not yet ready for recreational cannabis. He suggested that unless the medical program is improved, broader legalization may become inevitable. “If we don’t make it…

TuesdayMar 25, 2025 10:00 am

40% of Veterans With Chronic Pain Say They Use Cannabis to Ease Symptoms

A recent study has revealed that four in every ten U.S. military veterans suffering from chronic pain use cannabis to manage their symptoms. Published in the journal Global Advances in Integrative Medicine and Health, the study found that 40% of veterans turn to marijuana to alleviate issues related to pain, sleep disturbances, and mobility challenges. Additionally, a significant number of veterans reported using cannabis to cope with stress, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The study also highlighted the overwhelming support for open discussions about natural remedies in healthcare, with 98% of surveyed veterans stating that medical providers should educate…

MondayMar 24, 2025 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Maryland Senate Approves Bill Protecting Rights of Rescue Workers, Firefighters Using Medical Marijuana

The Maryland state Senate has approved a measure aimed at protecting rescue and fire workers from being penalized for using medical cannabis while off duty. The legislation, introduced by Senator Carl Jackson, passed with a 36-8 vote and now moves to the House of Representatives, where a parallel measure has been introduced but has yet to progress. If enacted, the bill would amend state law to ensure that firefighters and other rescue personnel registered as medical cannabis patients are not penalized for their legal use of the substance or for testing positive for marijuana. Employers would be prohibited from disciplining,…

FridayMar 21, 2025 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Marijuana Use Could Trigger Epigenetic Changes, Study Finds

A recent study involving more than 1,000 adults suggests that marijuana use may influence changes in the body’s epigenome, which acts like a series of switches turning genes on or off to regulate bodily functions. According to Northwestern University epidemiologist Lifang Hou, the study discovered connections between long-term cannabis use and various epigenetic markers over time. While several U.S. states and countries have legalized its use, the full impact on health remains unclear. According to Hou and her team of researchers from the U.S., about half of all Americans have at least one cannabis experience. Its full health impact is…

FridayMar 21, 2025 10:00 am

AMA Study Finds Halting Cannabis Testing of Pregnant Mothers Boosts Racial Parity, Doesn’t Harm Kids

A study by the American Medical Association (AMA) has found that discontinuing marijuana testing in pregnant women has improved racial parity without causing harm to newborns. As more than two dozen states now allow recreational marijuana use for eligible adults, tens of millions of people have easy access to the drug. Cannabis testing has become an increasingly divisive issue in the U.S. over the past several years, particularly concerning pregnancy. Given the history of disproportionate cannabis-related policing in minority communities, many advocates have expressed concerns that targeted marijuana testing of pregnant women could have negative consequences. The recent AMA study…

ThursdayMar 20, 2025 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — This New THC-Free Marijuana Compound Could Replace Opioids

A recent study from the University of Arizona Health Sciences suggests that terpenes found in the marijuana plant may offer a new way to manage post-surgical and fibromyalgia pain. The study expands on prior research conducted by Comprehensive Center for Pain and Addiction member Dr. John Streicher, who previously explored the pain-relieving properties of terpenes in cases of inflammation and nerve pain caused by chemotherapy. According to Streicher, terpenes do not seem effective for immediate pain relief, such as injuries from burns or stubbing a toe. However, they show promise for pathological or long-term pain conditions. This study marks the…

ThursdayMar 20, 2025 10:00 am

Marijuana Advocates Unhappy with Bills Seeking to Modify Ohio Law

Cannabis advocates in Ohio are expressing frustration with state lawmakers for pushing legislation to modify the state's marijuana laws. Since voters approved a measure to legalize recreational cannabis in November 2023, GOP leaders have been working to impose more restrictive policies. In late February, Ohio Senate Republicans passed a measure that would significantly alter the state's cannabis policy. Some of the most notable changes include limiting the number of plants that eligible adults can grow at home and reducing the amount of THC allowed in cannabis products. The bill would also change how Ohio allocates tax revenue from cannabis sales…

WednesdayMar 19, 2025 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Divisive Colorado Cannabis Potency Bill Withdrawn at Committee Stage

A contentious bipartisan measure aimed at addressing the high potency of cannabis in Colorado was withdrawn by its sponsors during a committee hearing. The measure faced immediate backlash, particularly over proposed regulations on specific edibles and age restrictions. Before the first reading, Senator Judy Amabile indicated she planned to revise the measure significantly. However, when the hearing took place, she instead requested the panel to reject it. The bill had already stirred debate, prompting its sponsors to promise changes before the official discussion even began. Currently, Colorado law limits THC levels in edibles to 10 milligrams per serving. The bill…