February 2025 - Page 2 of 4 - CannabisNewsWire

FridayFeb 21, 2025 10:00 am

Proposed Bill Would Make Ohio Marijuana Less Potent, More Expensive

Lawmakers in Ohio have proposed a new measure that would make cannabis products sold throughout the state less potent and more expensive. Although legal marijuana in Ohio already costs twice as much as the cannabis sold in Michigan, the proposal seeks to make the drug even more costly, a move that would make it incredibly difficult for people who need cannabis to access it. Republican lawmakers introduced a measure titled Senate Bill 56 that would limit the number of plants Ohioans could grow at home and lower the level of THC allowed in cannabis products sold in the state. Ohio…

ThursdayFeb 20, 2025 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Poll Finds 70% of Marijuana Consumers Intend to Maintain or Increase Expenditure on Marijuana This Year

A recent survey has revealed that nearly 70% of cannabis consumers in the U.S. intend to either maintain or increase their spending on marijuana in 2025 compared to 2024. Additionally, 62% of users continue to rely on cash transactions due to ongoing financial restrictions within the industry. The poll, conducted by financial services firm Bankrate in collaboration with YouGov, examined consumer spending habits across six different vice categories: alcohol, sports betting, marijuana, tobacco, casino gaming, and lottery tickets. Among the vices, marijuana is the least frequently spent on, which is not surprising given that it is still banned on a…

ThursdayFeb 20, 2025 10:00 am

Testing Lab Fraud Could Be Addressed by Involving Marijuana Industry Actors

Involving cannabis industry players in marijuana testing could help U.S. states address testing lab fraud, scientist David Vaillencourt says. Testing is critical to ensuring the cannabis products entering the U.S. market are free from potentially harmful contaminants like heavy metals, residual solvents, and bacteria. However, data has consistently shown that America’s state-approved cannabis industry is awash with untested products. In late 2024, a state-approved cannabis operator in Colorado ran a series of tests on retail cannabis products purchased in licensed marijuana stores from the Denver area, revealing something shocking: the majority of the products violated state health and labeling standards.…

WednesdayFeb 19, 2025 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Trump’s DEA Pick Causes Concerns About the Likelihood of Marijuana Rescheduling

President Donald Trump has appointed Terrance Cole to lead the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Cole, a seasoned DEA professional, is currently serving as a high-ranking law enforcement agent in Virginia. Trump announced the decision on social media on Tuesday afternoon, Feb. 11. However, Cole’s appointment as the new DEA administrator may not encourage those hoping for the agency to continue the Biden administration’s efforts to reschedule cannabis. His selection follows the withdrawal of Florida sheriff Chad Chronister, who had previously been Trump’s nominee for the position. Cole’s career with the DEA spans more than 20 years. He retired in…

TuesdayFeb 18, 2025 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Pain Increases Odds of Cancer Patients Using Marijuana, Tobacco

A recent study published in the journal Cancer suggests that cancer survivors experiencing pain may be more likely to use cannabis and cigarettes. The research also highlights a link between cigarette smoking, pain, and an increase in side effects related to treatment, ultimately leading to poorer health outcomes for cancer survivors. Chronic pain, generally described as pain lasting three months or longer, affects approximately 30 percent of cancer survivors. In those with advanced stages of the disease, the prevalence can rise to 50%. As cancer treatments improve and more individuals live longer after their diagnosis, the number of survivors dealing…

FridayFeb 14, 2025 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Claims of Cannabis Testing Fraud Hit the Recreational Marijuana Market in New York

Reports of alleged fraudulent activity in cannabis testing labs have surfaced once again in New York’s recreational market, with claims that some vape oil cartridges are being labeled with cannabinoid levels exceeding 100%. Similar accusations of labs inflating THC levels to meet client demands and possibly altering data meant to ensure consumer safety have been raised in other states as well. Critics argue that such fraudulent practices could erode public trust just as New York’s recreational market surpasses $1 billion in sales for the first time following a challenging launch. Adding to the concern, New York lab operators say that…

FridayFeb 14, 2025 10:00 am

Illinois Recorded $2bn in Cannabis Sales in 2024

The Illinois Department of Revenue has revealed that the Buckeye State generated over $2 billion in legal cannabis sales and almost $500m in tax revenue last year. Illinois legalized recreational cannabis use on January 1, 2020, becoming the 11th state to allow adult-use cannabis and the first state to legalize the controversial drug via a state legislature instead of a ballot initiative. Recreational cannabis operators in Illinois earned $1.72 billion in total last year, with over $153 million worth of sales occurring in December. Medical marijuana sales for the year 2024, on the other hand, reached $285 million. Illinois earned…

ThursdayFeb 13, 2025 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Latest Poll Shows Most Texans Want Marijuana Legalized

A recent survey conducted by the University of Houston’s Hobby School of Public Affairs revealed that a significant number of Texans are in favor of legalizing cannabis for recreational use. The poll, which gathered responses from 1,200 adults across Texas and has a margin of error of 2.38%, found that over 60% of Texans support permitting recreational cannabis sales and consumption. Texas lawmakers passed HB 1325 in 2019, which permitted industrial hemp cultivation as long as the concentration of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in the crop was below 0.3%. This created a loophole that some businesses used to introduce THC marijuana products…

ThursdayFeb 13, 2025 10:00 am

Prohibitionists, 2 American Senators Work to Block 280E Relief for Marijuana Companies

Two U.S. Senators have teamed up with prohibitionists to work on legislation that would block marijuana firms from receiving potential tax relief under Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act. Senators Pete Ricketts and James Lankford are working with Smart Approaches to Marijuana to block 280E relief for state-sanctioned cannabis companies in the U.S. As marijuana remains a Schedule I controlled substance at the federal level, cannabis firms cannot function as effectively as businesses in other industries. For instance, they lack access to most banking services and cannot receive any kind of financial relief from the federal government even though…

WednesdayFeb 12, 2025 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — State Report Shows Oregon Has a Marijuana Oversupply

Oregon’s recreational cannabis market continues to struggle with an oversupply issue, causing consumer prices to drop to record lows while businesses face shrinking profit margins. This challenge, outlined in a recent Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission (OLCC) report, has made it increasingly difficult for many operators to stay afloat. The report states that in 2024, Oregon’s marijuana harvest reached nearly 12.3 million pounds, reflecting a 4% rise from 2021. Favorable growing conditions in southern Oregon contributed to this increase. However, demand only accounted for 57% of the available supply, creating an imbalance in the market. The report highlights the difficulty…