TG Branfalt

The legislative task force assigned to consider the logistics of adult-use cannabis legalization in Maryland has convened for the first time; the task force’s findings will influence whether or not Maryland pursues adult-use legislation next year or turns the issue over to voters via a ballot initiative.

Three weeks after its first public hearing on cannabidiol, the FDA says it will apply a “rigorous and science-based approach” to devising CBD regulations; however, despite the quickly growing marketplace, the agency has not yet set any official guidelines.

Just over 19,000 cannabis plants in Siskiyou County, California have been seized by law enforcement officials in the last month. County officials there have banned outdoor cultivation but patients can still grow up to 12 plants (up to six for non-medical users) indoors.

The University of Maryland School of Pharmacy will offer the nation’s first master’s degree program in Medical Cannabis Science and Therapeutics. Courses will take place online and at Universities at Shady Grove in Rockville, Maryland.

A team of Australian researchers says CBD could have potent antibiotic properties after lab tests showed the cannabinoid was killing bacteria, including those that are highly resistant to existing antibiotics.

Only about half of Ohio’s registered medical cannabis patients have made a purchase at a state dispensary, with most patients saying they are deterred by high prices. In fact, for many patients, it’s cheaper to drive to a dispensary in Michigan.

Pennsylvania health officials have announced the first three clinical participants for the state’s medical cannabis research program.

The House of Representatives has approved a federal spending bill amendment that would block the Department of Justice from interfering in state-legal cannabis programs. The rider must now be approved by the Senate before it can take effect.

A new report from Arcview Group and BDS Analytics suggests that the global cannabinoid market could reach $14.9 billion by the end of 2019 – a 36 percent increase over last year.

Canada’s legal cannabis marketplace earned $186 million in general and excise taxes during its first five and a half months.

The House Committee on Small Business heard testimony on Wednesday from cannabis industry operators about the difficulties they face accessing Small Business Administration programs, despite the industry being primarily comprised of smaller firms.

The last-minute efforts to legalize or decriminalize adult-use cannabis in New York before the legislature adjourns for the year have failed; lawmakers will have to pursue the issue again next year.

Colombia’s Constitutional Court has ruled that the ban on public cannabis consumption is unconstitutional, effectively legalizing the public use of cannabis. According to one senator, the ruling was based on “technical legislative errors.”

Under new Health Canada regulations, single-serving cannabis edibles will have their THC content capped at just 10 milligrams of THC per package. Industry advocates call it regulatory overreach and warn that the rules will lead to excessive packaging waste.

Farmer Luis Hummel, who is in the process of suing the state because his license was revoked “without due process,” has been charged with two felonies and one gross misdemeanor after seized crops tested 10 times higher for THC than the federal limits.

The Cleveland School of Cannabis announced its first physical expansion after opening two years ago will be a new campus in Columbus. The school — the only state-approved cannabis school in Ohio — recently reported tripling its revenues.

A recent study shows that nearly two-thirds of military veterans in California have replaced prescription medications with cannabis in the treatment of chronic pain, anxiety, PTSD, depression, and insomnia.

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is pushing for lawmakers to pass a statewide legalization measure before the New York legislative session ends tomorrow.

Cannabis track-and-trace compliance software company MJ Freeway has rebranded as Akerna following a merger with MTech Acquisition Corp.; the new company begins trading on the NASDAQ today.

Medical cannabis company Columbia Care, which operates in 12 states, has launched its own credit card for patients in New York. According to the company, the option has boosted sales in an otherwise cash-only marketplace and there are plans to introduce the card next in Illinois.

Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring called for the decriminalization of cannabis in an op-ed published on Saturday, arguing that prohibition is “needlessly creating criminals.”

After receiving massive interest from students last semester, the University of Connecticut is bringing its cannabis horticulture class online.

The U.S. Postal Service has updated its policies to clarify that hemp and hemp products — including CBD — are legal to mail so long as they comply with hemp rules laid out by state agricultural programs.

Texas is the latest state to adopt hemp legalization language after the plant’s federal restrictions were lifted last year. The plan still needs USDA approval, which is unlikely to happen for this year’s growing season.