In a new report, cannabis industry data and insight firm BDSA estimates that global cannabis sales for 2021 will near $31 billion—an increase of 41% of last year’s sales.
Cannabis News
U.S. House Approves SAFE Banking Act as Part of Military Spending Bill in Historic Vote
The U.S. House approved the Secure and Fair Enforcement Banking Act on Thursday in a bipartisan 316-113 vote as part of the latest National Defense Authorization Act, a military spending bill.
Florida Advocacy Petition Drive Aims to Allow Home Growing of Cannabis
A political action committee in Florida is spearheading a petition drive to legalize and regulate recreational marijuana in the state, after two previous legalization efforts this year were stymied by the courts.
Study: Synthetic Cannabinoid Users Experience ‘More Severe’ Withdrawal Symptoms
A recent study published in the journal Psychopharmacology suggests that users of synthetic cannabinoid products—such as Spice or K2 —experience more severe withdrawal symptoms than cannabis users, according to an International Business Times outline of the research. It is the first study focused on the long-term and withdrawal effects of using synthetic cannabinoids.
Missouri Transfers Almost $7M in Cannabis Revenue to Veterans
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services said Thursday that it had initiated the second required transfer of revenue from the state’s new medical marijuana program to the Missouri Veterans Commission.
South Dakota Approves New Medical Cannabis Rules
South Dakota lawmakers on Monday approved most of the state Department of Health rules for the state’s voter-approved medical cannabis program but rejected some proposals including limiting the amount of high-potency cannabis patients can possess, requirements that medical practitioners could write recommendations for patients that want to grow more than the three plants allowed under the law, and a defined list of qualifying conditions, the Associated Press reports.
South Dakota Takes Step Toward Approving Medical Marijuana Rules
The legislative panel responsible for approving the rules that will govern South Dakota’s new medical marijuana law has approved a number of proposed regulations and sent other proposals back for review, in what was a crucial administrative step toward implementing the new statewide program.
Cannabis Flower Now Available to Virginia Patients
Cannabis flower is now available to Virginia patients who can purchase up to four ounces per month, WRIC reports.
California Offering New Cannabis Grant to Assist Environmental Restoration
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife last week called for concept proposals from cannabis cultivators for its upcoming Cannabis Restoration Grant Program.
New York Appoints Cannabis Regulators
New York lawmakers approved two officials for the state’s adult-use cannabis program in a special session this week, WHAM reports.
Massachusetts Adult-Use Cannabis Sales Eclipse $2 Billion
Less than three years after the first licensed recreational marijuana retailers began doing business in Massachusetts, regulated cannabis dispensaries have rung up more than $2 billion in adult-use cannabis sales, state officials announced on Wednesday.
Missouri Advocates File Ballot Initiative to Legalize Cannabis
Advocates in Missouri have filed a ballot initiative to legalize cannabis for adults in the state and now must collect 175,000 signatures to put the issue to voters during next year’s midterm elections.
Governor of Colorado Pens Letter Urging Legitimate Cannabis Banking
As Democrats in Congress appear eager to finally tackle comprehensive marijuana reform, Colorado Governor Jared Polis hopes they address one particular cannabis policy first.
USDA Launches National Survey Of 20,000 Hemp Farmers To Inform Policy And Industry Stakeholders
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is moving forward with a large-scale survey to gain insight into the hemp market that’s emerged since the crop was federally legalized under the 2018 Farm Bill.
Marijuana tourism is evolving in Aurora and Denver with legal tour buses, lounges
Aurora flung open the doors on the next — and perhaps final — frontier in the world of legal cannabis in Colorado, giving initial approval this week for smoking lounges, tasting rooms and tour buses filled with stoned customers.