December 2024 - Page 2 of 4 - CannabisNewsWire

ThursdayDec 19, 2024 10:00 am

New York Regulators Consider Limiting the Issuance of Marijuana Retail Licenses

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. New York's regulated cannabis industry is still in its infancy after the state legalized marijuana in March 2021 and began adult-use sales before the end…

WednesdayDec 18, 2024 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — New Lawsuit Aims to Invalidate Nebraska’s Medical Marijuana Ballot Measures

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. John Kuehn, a former state senator from Heartwell and a past State Board of Health member, filed a second lawsuit this year targeting the Nebraskans for Medical Cannabis campaign and Bob Evnen, the Secretary of State. The recent case comes after Kuehn lost a related lawsuit in late November, a decision he is currently appealing. The new lawsuit also involves Governor Jim Pillen and argues that state cannabis legislation is unconstitutional and…

TuesdayDec 17, 2024 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Portugal Looks Forward to Standing Out as a Medical Marijuana Hub

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. “No other European country offers better environmental conditions,” said Martins of FAI Therapeutics, a Portuguese pharmaceutical firm. Located near the hills of Serpa, surrounded by cork oaks and olive trees, FAI Therapeutics’ 13.3-acre farm produces approximately 30 tons of marijuana flowers annually. The operation began in 2022 following a surge of interest from international marijuana producers drawn to Portugal’s ideal climate and supportive legislation. Currently, over 60 companies…

TuesdayDec 17, 2024 10:00 am

US Marijuana Research is Witnessing an Evolving Landscape

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. The authorization came after three years of discussion between the FDA and MAPS. Titled MJP2, the study will test the efficacy and safety of inhaling high-THC cannabis in managing PTSD symptoms in veterans compared to a placebo. Nearly 320 veterans from Michigan and three additional states will take part in the study. The Michigan…

MondayDec 16, 2024 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Pennsylvania House Democrats Give Marijuana Legalization Another Go

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. The proposed legislation aims to expunge criminal records for individuals with past cannabis-related offenses, reinvest funds into communities disproportionately impacted by drug policies, and implement safeguards to prevent predatory marketing and accidental exposure to children. The bill also seeks to set reasonable limits on marijuana potency…

FridayDec 13, 2024 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Federal Appeals Court Doubtful of Prospects for Suit Challenging Marijuana Ban

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. The businesses, represented by prominent attorney David Boies, contend that significant changes since the Supreme Court upheld federal marijuana laws in 2005 make the prohibition outdated. Currently, 38 states have legalized medical or recreational cannabis. Boies argued that Congress’s original intent to eliminate cannabis nationwide has shifted, citing legislation and policy changes that reflect a more lenient approach. Despite his arguments, the judges appeared skeptical. Judge Julie Rikelman, appointed by President Joe…

FridayDec 13, 2024 10:00 am

Marijuana Users Spend Fewer Days in Hospital for Epilepsy, Study Finds

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. Although medical and recreational marijuana is legal across dozens of states, research into the drug's potential medical benefits is still in its infancy. Oliver Hoerth from Mayo Clinic’s Department of Neurology's Division of Epilepsy says the researchers determined that they needed more information about how THC, the main psychoactive…

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…