NewsRoom Articles - Page 31 of 603

TuesdayDec 10, 2024 10:00 am

Mass. Officials Announce Plan to Authorize Cannabis Social Consumption Sites

Last week, the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission unveiled the proposed regulatory framework for the social consumption of marijuana. The state legalized the social consumption of marijuana in 2016, via the same ballot measure that legalized the recreational use of the drug. Initially, the commission had planned to implement regulations for social consumption in 2018. This was stalled following pressure from critics but now, a few years later, the plan is going into motion. The recently proposed framework has three different types of licenses; An event organizer license, which covers the consumption of marijuana at events like festivals that are held…

MondayDec 09, 2024 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Marijuana Prices Gradually Reduce as Ohio’s Legal Market Grows

Data released by the Ohio Division of Cannabis Control shows that the price of marijuana has slowly been reducing since adult-use sales were launched this past summer. Dispensaries have reported slow-starts to the recreational program, indicating that vendor costs, confusion among consumers, and the state’s regulations may have contributed to this. Under state law, licensed dispensaries aren’t allowed to sell marijuana cultivated or purchased outside the state. This has led to a decrease in vendor prices. State records also show that when adult-use sales were launched in August, the manufactured sales average for marijuana product was $31.06 while the average…

FridayDec 06, 2024 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Study: Utah’s Medical Cannabis Legalization Lowered Opioid Use by Patients with Chronic Pain

A recent study examining the use of prescribed opioids in Utah after medical cannabis legalization in the state highlights a significant reduction in opioid consumption among patients managing chronic pain. The findings also show a substantial decline in opioid prescription-related deaths since Utah authorized medical marijuana in 2018. The study highlights the increasing use of cannabis for pain relief and its potential to lessen opiate dependence. It concludes that cannabis could be a promising option as healthcare providers explore safer methods for managing pain, especially for individuals with chronic pain conditions. The Utah study analyzed 186 chronic pain patients, using…

FridayDec 06, 2024 10:00 am

Marijuana Growers in California Hail 2024 Harvest Season

Marijuana farmers in the state of California revealed that the weather during this year’s growing season was favorable, which may improve yields and in turn, prices. Judi Nelson, co-founder of Sol Spirit Farm, revealed that the summer was good for them, noting that moisture from spring rain prevented wildfires. The overall threat of wildfires was low this year for cannabis farmers, which allowed them to focus on their crops more. In the last couple of years, these fires have greatly impacted farmers, with some experiencing extensive crop loss. Flower from Sol Spirit is primarily sold in the firm’s compostable packaging,…

ThursdayDec 05, 2024 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Federal Court Upholds Ban on Cannabis Advertising in Mississippi

Mississippi’s medical cannabis businesses are prohibited from advertising on billboards or any other platforms due to marijuana’s federal status as an illegal substance, according to a recent decision by an appeals court. The owner of Tru Source Medical Marijuana, a medical cannabis store operating in Olive Branch, Mississippi, contested this restriction. He claimed that since state law allows the sale of marijuana, the First Amendment should protect medical cannabis businesses’ advertising rights. However, on Friday, a three-judge bench from the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against the dispensary owner. The court referred to the federal Controlled Substances Act (CSA),…

ThursdayDec 05, 2024 10:00 am

What Marijuana Reclassification Could Mean for Washington D.C.

In 2022, the Biden Administration initiated efforts to reevaluate how cannabis is classified under federal law, leading the DEA to start a formal rule-making procedure this year. If the agency ultimately agrees with the Health and Human Services (HHS) Department’s recommendation for reclassification, the effects at the state level are likely to be minimal. Without broader federal changes, state programs for medical and recreational marijuana will remain at odds with federal law. Current regulations provide states with little leeway to legalize substances classified under Schedule III. Consequently, the agency is unlikely to issue licenses to state-regulated cannabis businesses, and the…

WednesdayDec 04, 2024 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — FDA OKs Study Exploring Marijuana Use for Treating PTSD in Veterans

This week, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted long-awaited approval for a clinical trial exploring whether cannabis can help manage veterans’ post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The trial, which is being led by the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS), has faced delays since 2021 due to various objections raised by the FDA. Concerns included the potential risks associated with smoking high-potency marijuana and the study’s dosing method, which allows participants to regulate their intake within set daily limits. MAPS said on Wednesday that the FDA had lifted its objections, allowing the study to move forward. Notably, the agency…

TuesdayDec 03, 2024 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Study Finds That Adolescents Suffer More Severe Psychosis Symptoms if They Use Marijuana

A recent study by researchers from St. Louis’ Washington University has found that teenagers who use marijuana experience more signs of psychosis spectrum and higher levels of distress due to the symptoms. This suggests that both self-medication and shared vulnerability play a role in linking marijuana use to an increased risk of psychosis. Previous research indicates that teenagers who use marijuana have a two to four times higher risk of developing psychosis than their non-user counterparts. Marijuana usage that starts in youth is frequently linked to more intense symptoms, a higher chance of relapse, and an earlier beginning of psychotic…

TuesdayDec 03, 2024 10:00 am

Judge Halts Upcoming Minnesota Marijuana Business License Lottery

Last week, a judge in Ramsey County stopped a lottery that would’ve awarded marijuana licenses in Minnesota. This is a huge setback for regulators in the state, who are prepping for legal sales come 2025. The lottery would’ve awarded preapproval licenses to business owners who met the criteria for social equity applicants, giving them a head start before the normal licensing period began in 2025. However, after the Office of Cannabis Management dismissed over half of applications for not proving proper documentation as required, lawsuits were filed. In their suits, the plaintiffs claimed that they were wrongfully excluded from the…

MondayDec 02, 2024 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Nebraska AG Pledges That Ongoing Investigations Won’t Impact Cannabis Measure’s Certification

Mike Hilgers, Nebraska’s Attorney General, assured the public on Tuesday that his office’s current investigations into two medical marijuana ballot measures will not affect his decision to certify the election results. Speaking at a press conference on an unrelated lawsuit, Hilgers stated that the election certification process would proceed independently of the marijuana-related legal disputes or the timing of any court ruling. Hilgers is one of five state constitutional officials who will convene on December 2 to decide if, or not to certify the election results from November 5. This includes the resounding support of two initiatives from voters: Measure…