From Our Writers

The Oregon Legislature recently passed a bill to cap the number of cannabis licenses in response to market oversaturation, setting limits based on the state’s population and introducing measures for inter-agency cooperation and enforcement in the cannabis and industrial hemp sectors.

Ohio is considering a bill to fund the retirement and replacement of police K9s trained to detect cannabis following the state’s legalization reforms, aiming to use cannabis tax revenue to support the transition and ensure law enforcement adaptability.

Oregon State University’s Global Hemp Innovation Center received a $10 million USDA grant to collaborate with 13 Native American tribes on hemp economic development, aiming to create sustainable supply chains and enhance the hemp industry’s role in tribal and rural American economies.

The Wall Street Journal reports that some DEA officials are skeptical about the HHS recommendation to reclassify cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act.

Roanoke College is set to launch a cannabis studies major, offering students a comprehensive education that spans botany, business, policy, and social justice aspects of the cannabis industry, preparing them for diverse career paths in this evolving field.

A study in Frontiers in Veterinary Science found that CBD is safe for long-term use in healthy dogs at specific doses, offering valuable insights for pet owners and veterinarians considering CBD supplements for canine well-being.

MedMen, once a leading name in the U.S. cannabis industry, has significantly downscaled, closing most of its California dispensaries amid financial struggles and a steep decline in its stock value.

A study in Preventive Medicine Reports indicates that cannabis users are just as likely to engage in exercise as non-users, challenging stereotypes about cannabis use and physical inactivity.

The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians is set to open North Carolina’s first adult-use cannabis dispensary, marking a significant development in the state’s cannabis landscape and positioning the tribe as a pioneer in the industry within the region.

Florida legislators have passed a bill to prohibit delta-8 and other THC products, imposing strict regulations on the state’s hemp industry, a move which could significantly impact local businesses.

Hawaii’s House has advanced a bill to facilitate state-led expungement of certain criminal records, potentially affecting over 36,000 individuals with minor cannabis possession charges.

Holistic Industries Inc., a Maryland cannabis company, was fined $55,000 for not obtaining prior approval for ownership interest transfers in its subsidiaries, a requirement under Maryland regulations.

The Virginia House of Delegates approved a bill enabling sentence modification for individuals convicted of felony cannabis offenses, a move aligning with broader adult-use cannabis reforms and potentially impacting hundreds of prisoners and parolees/probationers in the state.

A study indicates that beer sales in Canada dropped significantly following the legalization of adult-use cannabis, with a notable decline in canned and kegged beer but not in spirits or bottled beer, suggesting a possible consumer shift from beer to cannabis.

A new lawsuit against The Maryland Cannabis Administration could further delay the state’s cannabis license lottery, with a social equity applicant alleging exclusion due to technical issues and communication failures.

A new cannabis trade association, the Florida Medical Marijuana Trade Association (FMMTA), has been established by several of Florida’s leading medical cannabis companies to advance medical cannabis research and industry development. The state’s largest operator, Trulieve, is not a member.