NewsRoom Articles - Page 48 of 620

ThursdayDec 12, 2024 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — UN Human Rights Commissioner Condemns War on Drugs as a Total Failure

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCHR) has urged the global community to reconsider punitive and criminal approaches to drug policy, declaring that the “war on drugs” has been a profound failure. Speaking at a Warsaw conference that brought together experts and leaders from across Europe, Commissioner Volker Türk noted that current strategies have neither curbed drug use nor deterred drug-related crimes. He called for a shift toward evidence-based policies that center on human rights and prioritize compassion over punishment. Türk argued that treating drug use as a criminal issue rather than a health matter has marginalized and…

ThursdayDec 12, 2024 10:00 am

Marijuana Experts Say Interstate Commerce and M&A Deals Hold Promise

As the cannabis industry takes stock of 2024 and looks ahead to potential opportunities in 2025, many marijuana experts believe interstate commerce and mergers & acquisitions will be major trends in cannabis next year. America's marijuana industry has dealt with constant change right from its infancy and the sector is slated to experience even more major changes in 2025 amidst shifting consumer preferences, changing regulations, and a challenging business environment. The MJBiz Factbook estimates that cannabis sales in states with legal cannabis markets will hit a whopping $58 billion by 2030, meaning the industry still has significant room for growth.…

WednesdayDec 11, 2024 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Study Suggests Marijuana Use Could Trigger Epigenetic Changes

A recent study published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry has explored how marijuana use might influence the epigenome in the human body. The epigenome, often described as a system of switches, regulates how genes are activated or deactivated, shaping bodily functions. According to Lifang Hou, a Northwestern University epidemiologist, the study identified a connection between multiple epigenetic markers and long-term cannabis use. The researchers examined more than 1000 participants who had been involved in an earlier long-term study, which included surveys about their marijuana use spanning two decades. Participants who were between 18 and 30 years old at the study’s…

TuesdayDec 10, 2024 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — How Cannabis Firms Can Leverage the Ongoing MJBizCon

Marijuana industry leaders have countless opportunities to form connections and secure business deals at this year’s MJBizCon. MJBizCon 2024 kicked off on Tuesday at the Las Vegas Convention Center, starting with preshow sessions and running through Friday. To make the most of the world’s largest marijuana business event, it’s essential to arrive with a strategy but also stay adaptable for unforeseen opportunities, according to seasoned attendees who’ve successfully navigated the event. According to Azuca CEO Kim Sanchez Rael, flexible scheduling is vital since some of the best opportunities come from unexpected encounters. For instance, an impromptu conversation during a preshow…

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…