February 2025 - Page 3 of 4 - CannabisNewsWire

TuesdayFeb 11, 2025 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — The US is Awash with Black Market Marijuana

More than a decade after states began legalizing recreational cannabis, the U.S. marijuana industry remains complex. On one side, marijuana has become as common for some as a cold beer or a glass of wine, with regulated companies offering products that meet government standards. Yet, a significant portion of cannabis sales in the country still comes from illegal operations. Even experienced law enforcement officers sometimes struggle to differentiate legally sourced cannabis from black-market products. For the average consumer, identifying the difference is nearly impossible. Supporters of cannabis legalization had hoped that the legal industry would quickly dominate, overtaking criminal producers.…

TuesdayFeb 11, 2025 10:00 am

Report Finds Marijuana Dispensary Warning Signs to Pregnant Women Ineffective

A recent report has revealed that signs at cannabis dispensaries warning about the potential effects of using marijuana while pregnant are ineffective. The report was conducted by Rutgers University and published in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs. It found that pregnant cannabis users may even be distrustful of the contents of these warning signs. According to lead researcher and University of California Professor Sarah C. M. Roberts, the mandatory warning signs posted at cannabis dispensaries aren't working as intended. She says some of the participants involved in the study view the warning signs as stigmatizing pregnant women…

MondayFeb 10, 2025 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Ohio GOP Measure Seeks to Change Voter-Approved Marijuana Legalization Terms

An Ohio Republican senator has put forward a new measure that seeks to limit the amount of homegrown cannabis, lower the permitted THC levels in recreational cannabis, raise taxes, and reroute how the revenue is allocated. SB 56, introduced by Senator Steve Huffman, would reduce the allowable THC concentration in recreational cannabis extracts from 90% to 70%. The proposal also includes merging the state’s recreational and medical cannabis programs under the state’s Cannabis Control Division. Huffman explained in his testimony that combining both programs would lead to more uniform regulations on product testing, labeling, advertising, and packaging with a particular…

FridayFeb 07, 2025 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Patchy Marijuana Laws Could Expose Consumers to Contaminants

A recent Gallup survey indicates that marijuana use in the U.S. has doubled over the last ten years. In several states, cannabis is legal, and most Americans now consume it as often as they would wine or beer. However, finding safe and properly regulated marijuana products can be a challenge. While marijuana carries health risks regardless of contamination, researchers warn that its increasing potency and widespread use can negatively impact mental health and brain function. An additional concern for users is the presence of harmful substances such as pesticides, heavy metals, and molds in vape products and edibles. Although state…

FridayFeb 07, 2025 10:00 am

Authorities Point to Cartel-Linked Cannabis Grows as Oklahoma Market Experiences Glut

Authorities in Oklahoma are worried that the state’s booming medical marijuana industry may be fueling the growth of the illicit cannabis market. Oklahoma legalized medical cannabis in 2018 and by 2021 there were over 9,400 registered grow operations competing to fulfill the state’s demand for cannabis. While the number of licensed growers had fallen to over 2,200 by December 2024, Oklahoma’s illegal cannabis market seems to be growing in leaps and bounds. The market has become so prolific that experts have raised questions about the integrity of Oklahoma’s legal systems and the state’s public safety. Like every U.S. state with…

ThursdayFeb 06, 2025 11:25 pm

420 with CNW — New Hampshire House Committee Discusses Measure to Legalize Recreational Cannabis

A House committee in New Hampshire recently convened to discuss one of three different proposals aimed at legalizing recreational cannabis in the state. The committee reviewed House Bill 186, introduced by Representative Jared Sullivan. The proposal would permit adults from age 21 to possess up to ten grams of concentrate and two ounces of cannabis flower. It would also allow individuals to cultivate up to six marijuana plants for personal use at home. Consumers would have the opportunity to purchase lab-tested and labeled products from stores regulated by the state. HB 186 is one of two legalization measures that Representative…

ThursdayFeb 06, 2025 10:00 am

Colorado Marijuana Firm’s Testing Experiment Reveals Extent of Pesticide, Microbial Contaminants

A recent review of Colorado’s recreational marijuana products has revealed that over 85% of the products sold by regulated cannabis retailers may violate labeling and health laws. An analysis conducted by one cannabis operator found a shocking amount of microbial and pesticide contaminants in a majority of retail adult-use products Colorado residents consume. In November 2024, Ripple CEO Justin Singer instructed his staffers to purchase cannabis pre-rolls, shakes, and flower from marijuana retailers in the Denver area. Singer was frustrated by the Colorado Marijuana Enforcement Division’s (MED) seeming reluctance to carry out its mandate of ensuring state-regulated marijuana products are…

WednesdayFeb 05, 2025 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Colorado Springs Residents Sue City Over Vote to Repeal Recreational Marijuana

Two residents of Colorado Springs have taken legal action against the city over an upcoming ballot initiative in April that seeks to overturn a voter-approved policy permitting recreational cannabis sales. The case was submitted on Friday on behalf of Adam Gillard, El Paso County Progressive Veterans’ executive director, and Renze Waddington, a medical cannabis dispensary owner. It claims that the City Council disregarded Colorado’s Amendment 64, which states that any local ballot initiative that seeks to outlaw the sale of marijuana for recreational purposes must be on the ballot for a general election in an even-numbered year. “This council’s attempt…

TuesdayFeb 04, 2025 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Why 2025 Could Be a Great Year for Marijuana Investors

The marijuana capital markets have encountered substantial hurdles in recent years. Investors who have been in the industry since 2019 have witnessed every phase of the market—from thrilling peaks to somber valleys. Notwithstanding these swings, the present environment presents a remarkable chance for strategic investors because of alluring valuations, creative deal formats, and the capacity to assist top-tier management teams. The struggle for capital access has significantly altered the industry’s competitive dynamics. Businesses have had to either adapt or collapse as a result of the drying up of various funding sources during the last two years. Two distinct categories have…

TuesdayFeb 04, 2025 10:00 am

Missouri Courts Close to Completing Review of Marijuana Expungements

Missouri courts are close to completing their review of cannabis expungements after expunging hundreds of thousands of cannabis cases. The review began after Missouri voters approved a constitutional amendment to legalize adult use marijuana in 2022 and has seen state courts expunge over 300,000 cases. The amendment instructed Missouri courts to search their files for eligible cannabis-related offenses and permanently remove them from the records of affected Missourians. The largest counties in Missouri are mostly done with the bulk of the review process but it will likely continue well into 2025. Estimates from the Missouri Supreme Court show that counties…