Articles from CannabisNewsWire

Drug use in teenagers has not returned to pre-pandemic levels, according to findings from a recent survey.

Non-German companies could potentially benefit from new recreational marijuana pilot programs in Germany, observers say. The European nation partially decriminalized adult-use cannabis on April 1, 2024, becoming the 9th country in the world to legalize cannabis and granting millions of Germans access to the drug.

A senator in South Carolina has proposed a measure aimed at legalizing medical marijuana for individuals suffering from certain medical conditions. The measure was pre-filed by Senator Tom Davis (R) in preparation for next year’s legislative session.

While around one in every five Americans now use marijuana, the understanding of its health effects has historically been limited . However, as regulations surrounding cannabis ease, scientists are gaining new insights into its benefits and risks.

New York marijuana cultivators and processors are pushing Governor Kathy Hochul to approve a measure that would simplify how they handle tax filings, switching the system to an annual basis.

The DEA is requesting approval from an agency judge to issue subpoenas compelling officials from the FDA to testify at forthcoming hearings regarding the Biden administration’s proposal to reschedule cannabis.

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.

In a year that will go down in history as one of the quietest for state-level marijuana market launches in the U.S., Ohio’s adult-use market stood out with the only launch of 2024 . Ohio debuted its recreational cannabis market on August 6, making it the only state to unveil a new cannabis market in the U.S. this year. This marks a significant departure from a young industry that has gone through non-stop market expansion for more than 10 years.

Elton John has been vocal about his stance on the legalization of cannabis, openly criticizing its approval in parts of the United States and Canada. The legendary musician expressed strong concerns about the drug, reflecting on his own experiences and observations during a Time magazine interview .

New York state marijuana regulators are considering whether they should temporarily cap the number of marijuana retail licenses to 1,600. According to a statement from Cannabis Advisory Board (CAB) chair Joseph Belluck, the Cannabis Advisory Board sent the suggestion to cap state retail licenses to the Cannabis Control Board (CCB). The CCB’s suggestion is nonbinding and it will be up to the Cannabis Control Board to take steps and facilitate the temporary cap on licenses.

A top medical marijuana opponent in Nebraska has initiated a new legal challenge aiming to nullify two recent ballot initiatives to legalize and regulate marijuana in the state.

Portugal is rapidly emerging as a leading center for medical marijuana in Europe. Its mild, temperate, subtropical environment, frequently likened to that of California, makes it an excellent location for cultivating cannabis.

The nascent cannabis research field recently hit a major milestone after the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) finally greenlit Phase 2 of the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) study on the feasibility of using smoked cannabis to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in veterans.

Democrats in Pennsylvania are making another attempt to legalize cannabis through new legislation spearheaded by state Representatives Dan Frankel from Allegheny County and Rick Krajewski from Philadelphia. They are currently seeking co-sponsors for their proposal, marking the latest effort in a series of attempts over recent years to address cannabis legalization in the state.

CannExpo 2025, Toronto’s Cannabis Lifestyle Show, is set to blaze into the Queen Elizabeth Building at Exhibition Place on March 21-22, 2025. The event will bring together enthusiasts, curious newcomers and professionals from the cannabis industry. An eclectic mix of exhibitors will be featured, from cutting-edge growers and innovative product developers to trendsetting accessory makers and wellness experts. The one-stop-shop for discovering the latest and greatest in the world of cannabis will be buzzing with engaging panels and discussions on hot topics.

A United States appeals court seemed inclined to reject claims made by several marijuana businesses in Massachusetts, which argued that federal laws prohibiting cannabis are no longer constitutional.

A new study has found that marijuana users with epilepsy typically spend fewer days in the hospital for epilepsy-related issues compared to people with epilepsy who didn’t use cannabis. Data from the study shows that epileptic individuals who used cannabis had an elevated epilepsy event capturability rate and reduced hospital stays.

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.

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.

Flora (NASDAQFLGC) announced that its THC-infused beverage brand, Melo, will be available in store in select states beginning Friday Dec. 13, 2024. The beverage is poised to reach a broader audience with imminent placement in the retail networks of Total Wines & More (“Total”), one of the most recognized retailers of innovative and premium alcoholic and non-alcoholic products in the U.S.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

AROYA by Addium, a leader in data-driven cultivation solutions, is unveiling groundbreaking innovations at the Marijuana Business Conference (“MJBizCon”), taking place in the Las Vegas Convention Center from Dec. 4–6, 2024. As a leading innovator in cannabis cultivation, AROYA is reimagining precision substrate irrigation and positioning a bold new brand tailored to the future.

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.

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).

AROYA by Addium, an industry leader in cannabis cultivation technology, has unveiled IRRIGAIT(TM), a groundbreaking intent-based irrigation system designed to optimize the cultivation process for commercial growers. Available now through an exclusive early access program, IRRIGAIT offers true dynamic irrigation powered by real-time data and enables growers to achieve maximum genetic potential for each cultivar.

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.

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.

Lexaria Bioscience (NASDAQ: LEXX, LEXXW) provided a strategic update on its efforts to leverage its DehydraTECH technology within the rapidly growing GLP-1 drug market, projected to surpass $100 billion annually. GLP-1 drugs, initially approved for diabetes and weight loss, are now being explored for broader applications, including cardiovascular, liver, and kidney diseases, as well as sleep apnea and neurodegenerative conditions. Lexaria is advancing research to enhance GLP-1 drug delivery to the brain, with data from its animal study on brain absorption expected by early 2025. The company aims to capitalize on the transformative potential of GLP-1 drugs by enabling expanded therapeutic benefits and improved efficacy through its proprietary technology.

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.

Public health experts have raised concerns that Trump’s pick for the Health and Human Services department may impede access to pharmaceuticals and instead, favor experimental therapies. Robert F. Kennedy Jr, who was selected by the incoming president recently, is an attorney with no background in government public health.

The journey toward cannabis legalization in the United States has been significant, with nearly half of the states now allowing its recreational use. However, the topic remains contentious and divisive, frequently leveraged by politicians. Some invoke fears about potential harm to oppose legalization, while others emphasize benefits such as increased revenue and reduced violent crime to advocate for it.

AROYA by Addium, the leader in precision cannabis cultivation technologies, has introduced an innovative automated dryback tracking feature within its platform. In cannabis cultivation, dryback refers to the reduction in moisture content within substrate between irrigation events. “For growers and operators, this groundbreaking addition simplifies one of the most labor-intensive tasks for professional cultivators—manual dryback cycle management—by leveraging advanced algorithms to ensure precise and efficient data tracking,” said Christian Hertel, VP of Marketing at AROYA.

CannabisNewsWire (“CNW”), a leading communications platform for the cannabis industry and part of the InvestorBrandNetwork (“IBN”), today announced its engagement as the official newswire for the 13th Annual MJBizCon . In its 13th year, MJBizCon has firmly established itself as a flagship event, attracting over 30,000 cannabis executives, entrepreneurs and professionals annually from around the globe. Set to take place at the Las Vegas Convention Center from Dec. 3–6, 2024, this year’s event promises to continue its legacy as the premier global cannabis business conference and tradeshow.

Attorney General Ken Paxton of the state of Texas is suing Dallas over its proposal that decriminalizes cannabis in the city. The suit names the defendants as the city council of Dallas; Kimberly Bizor Tolbert, the city’s interim manager; Mayor Eric Johnson; and Michael T. Igo , the city’s interim Chief of Police.

Millennials, the largest generational group in the U.S., are shaping spending habits across industries, including marijuana. According to a recent survey, this age group, ranging from 28 to 43 years old, has become a dominant force in the joint market, making up 45% of the $3 billion industry.

A recently released analysis of numerous medical cannabis patients within the United States reveals that PTSD, pain, and anxiety are the most common conditions qualifying individuals for medical marijuana programs.

Australian legislators are preparing to vote on legislation that could pave the way for adult-use cannabis legalization across the nation. Senator David Shoebridge of the Greens Party, who has spearheaded the effort, announced on social media that the proposed bill is scheduled for a vote in Parliament on November 27.

The Department of Health in the state of Maryland recently rolled out a tool to track the effects of marijuana use on public health. The tool, dubbed the Cannabis Public Health Data Dashboard, offers user-friendly visualizations of marijuana trends prior to and after the legalization of recreational marijuana.

Donald Trump’s choice of Florida Representative Matt Gaetz as the next Attorney General has sparked controversy across party lines. Gaetz’s resignation from his congressional seat followed shortly after the announcement, just days before the House Ethics Committee was expected to address an ongoing investigation into allegations against him. These accusations, which Gaetz has denied, include claims of sexual misconduct and illicit drug use.

Golden Triangle Ventures (OTC: GTVH) (“GTV”) today announced its plans to host a Spaces call at 1:30 p.m. PST on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024, on the company’s official X account, @GTV_Inc . Steffan Dalsgaard, president of Golden Triangle Ventures and CEO of Lavish Entertainment, alongside Marco Moreno, president of Lavish Entertainment, will lead the event and deliver a comprehensive update on the company’s transformative flagship project — Destino Ranch .

Business leaders and marijuana advocates were recently invited to take part in a hearing about cannabis rescheduling set for next month. The participants, all twenty-five of them, were listed in a letter penned by Chief Administrative Law Judge John Mulrooney II of the Drug Enforcement Administration. The witnesses were selected by DEA Administrator Anne Milgram.

A recent study conducted by Mahmoud ElSohly, one of the few individuals authorized by the federal government to grow cannabis for research, has found that marijuana available in the U.S. market has a consistent cannabinoid profile, primarily shaped by genetics rather than regional factors.

Public use would remain off-limits, ensuring that cannabis consumption is kept private and not visible in open areas. The measure specifically avoids creating a commercial cannabis market, unlike the recent ballot efforts in other states that sought to legalize the production and sale of marijuana.

A few months ago, the Department of Cannabis Control in the state of California issued 5 cannabis product recalls. The recalls drew attention to the presence of aspergillus, which brought the total number of recalls to twenty-one for the year.

Cannabis industry leader MJBizCon is putting genetics center stage at its December 2024 Las Vegas convention through a new partnership with Voice of the Plant. The collaboration will feature “The Vault” Pavilion, bringing together renowned breeders and cannabis genetics companies from around the world.

A recent study suggests that marijuana’s impact on sleep may differ depending on an individual’s mental health background.

Earlier this week, the Missouri Court of Appeals, Eastern District, ruled that the stacking of cannabis sales taxes was unconstitutional.

With recent shifts in political power, many are questioning if a Republican-led government might better support cannabis reform than one led by Democrats. As former President Donald Trump returns to the White House and Republicans take control of the Senate, the $32 billion U.S. cannabis industry stands at a crucial point, uncertain about the future of legalization.

David Heldreth, CEO and founder of Panacea Plant Sciences, has filed a federal court lawsuit, claiming the DEA breached several legal protocols in preparing for a hearing on the Biden administration’s proposal to reclassify marijuana. The suit urges the court to issue an injunction halting the DEA’s scheduled hearing until these legal concerns are addressed.

The recreational marijuana market in the state of Missouri has already hit $1.4 billion, less than 2 years since its launch. Voters in the state approved Amendment 3 , a ballot initiative that legalized recreational marijuana in November 2022. Medical dispensaries were then given the go ahead to expand into recreational sales in February 2023.

A ballot initiative to legalize marijuana for recreational use in Florida failed Tuesday, receiving 55.9% of the vote but falling short of the 60% threshold needed to amend the constitution.

Germany recently saw its first cannabis social club —Social Club Ganderkesee—announce the distribution of cannabis to its members, marking a new milestone in the country’s journey toward regulated marijuana access. The nation legalized the possession and personal cultivation of marijuana for adults in April. However, until recently, there were limited legal means for acquiring the substance.

New research suggests that the use of marijuana may lower the use of alcohol, opioids and methamphetamine. The research focused on the effect of marijuana consumption on individuals’ use of other drugs.

Six percent of women reported using cannabis while pregnant, according to a recent study, despite studies indicating that using cannabis during pregnancy can be harmful to both the fetus and the expectant mother.

The financial race surrounding the recreational marijuana legalization initiative in South Dakota was highly competitive, with both opponents and supporters gathering nearly equal resources. This set the scene for an intense debate while voters prepared for the November 5 ballot. Both sides have collectively raised around $915,000, showcasing the deeply split opinions across the state on the matter.

Global Compliance Applications (CSE: APP) (OTC: FUAPF) (FSE: 2FA) (“GCAC”), a leading medical cannabis chain-of-custody compliance and data platform, has announced an expansion to its partnership with EMTRI, scaling blockchain and NFT couponing in California’s cannabis market. Under the collaboration, distributors benefit from EMT token rewards, supported by a buyback program designed to stabilize token value and encourage long-term engagement. Consumers gain access to Uplift NFT couponing through the Efixii app, providing a premium and transparent experience that enhances the value of the products they purchase.

A recently conducted analysis has determined that workers in the hospitality and food service industries are some of the most common consumers of marijuana. Workers in extraction and construction, as well as individuals in media, sports, entertainment, arts and design occupations also reported relatively high rates of past-month marijuana use.

Support for legalizing cannabis is showing consistent strength across the United States, according to a recent survey by Gallup. The findings highlight that a significant majority of Americans, regardless of political affiliation, continue to endorse marijuana reform.

Different jurisdictions across America voted on initiatives to legalize marijuana on Election Day. Voters in the states of Florida, North Dakota and Nebraska voted on measures to legalize adult-use and medical marijuana this month.

The Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) recently removed marijuana from its list of prohibited substances. This change means that fighters in the state who possess, use, or consume marijuana products will no longer face penalties for violating anti-doping rules.

Kentucky is making significant progress toward introducing medical cannabis as an option for healthcare in the state. Recently, 26 businesses were chosen to cultivate and process medical cannabis, which will soon be available for sale across Kentucky. The businesses earned their licenses through a random lottery held at the Kentucky Lottery office in Louisville.

The DEA recently revealed that a hearing on cannabis rescheduling is being delayed until next year. This news comes after the agency’s administrator Anne Millgram gave the stamp of approval for more than 24 witnesses to take part in the hearing this coming week.

Advocates in New Jersey are currently debating whether the state’s Marijuana Regulatory Commission should raise the fee directing revenue from recreational cannabis sales to fund social equity initiatives and support communities affected by past drug policies. The commission is set to meet soon to determine the fee rate that will apply starting January 1. Presently, the fee is set at $1.24 per ounce .

A troubling tendency has surfaced in states where marijuana markets are regulated: businesses frequently offer their goods using identical or very similar trademarks . This overlap occurs because the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) prohibits federal trademark safeguarding for cannabis products, as they are illegal at the federal level.

The rise of marijuana multistate operators has increased concerns that independent cannabis business owners may be driven out of business by organizations that have more money, power, and influence.

A recent review highlights the promising effects of cannabinoids, a compound in cannabis, in managing persistent nerve pain. According to the research, cannabinoids may offer substantial pain relief with few or no side effects, suggesting a valuable alternative to conventional pain medications for patients dealing with persistent nerve pain.

A new study has discovered that prenatal exposure to marijuana is linked to poorer thinking skills and behaviors like planning, paying attention, and impulse control in early childhood. These skills, the researchers explained, play a crucial role in how children interacted with others and performed at school.

Last year, when Delaware legalized cannabis, legislators approved the opening of 30 retail cannabis stores across the state. However, despite licenses being expected this year and stores potentially launching by 2025, available locations for shoppers to purchase cannabis legally are declining.

A recent poll indicates that voters in Florida are likely to approve two highly debated measures on the upcoming November ballot: recreational cannabis and abortion rights.

Bipartisan senators in Florida are criticizing Gov. DeSantis for using taxpayer funds to finance anti-cannabis advertisements opposing a measure to legalize cannabis. This news was first brought to the public by an independent journalist, Jason Garcia, who commented on the possible use of the opioid funds for cannabis-related public service announcements.