Search Results for "maine"

Cannabis Sales in Massachusetts Total $5B Since Adult-Use Launch

9/12/2023

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Adult-use cannabis sales in Massachusetts reached $5 billion on August 31 after record-breaking monthly sales in June, July, and August, according to the state Cannabis Control Commission (CCC). Sales surpassed the $4 billion mark just eight months prior to hitting $5 billion, which the CCC said makes the period the shortest it’s taken for Massachusetts businesses to generate another $1 billion dollars in gross sales.

Cannabis sales commenced in Massachusetts in 2018. So far this year, adult-use cannabis sales have totaled more than $1 billion. 

In a statement, Commission Executive Director Shawn Collins noted that the milestone comes even as Maine, Rhode Island, and Connecticut also experienced record sales over the summer.  

“Demand for tested, quality cannabis products remains strong in the region, and consumers shopping in other states have not impacted Massachusetts’ success.” — Collins in a press release 

The agency also noted that, to date, just five cannabis retailers in the state have surrendered or allowed their license to expire, while just 16 of all cannabis businesses have either let their license expire, surrendered their license, or had it revoked. The state currently has 317 cannabis retailers, nine delivery couriers, eight delivery operators, and one microbusiness with a delivery endorsement.  

The CCC notes that it is also currently undergoing a regulatory review to implement new social equity rules and regulations. The agency has until November 9 to issue the updated program regulations.    

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NIH Survey Finds Cannabis Use Among Adults Highest Ever Recorded by Agency

8/18/2023

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The National Institutes of Health (NIH) 2022 Monitoring the Future survey found past-year and daily cannabis use among adults 19-30 years old are at the highest levels ever recorded by the agency. The survey found 44% of the cohort consumed cannabis in the past year, while 11% consumed cannabis daily. 

Comparatively, past-year cannabis use among 19- to 30-year-olds was 35% in 2017 and 28% in 2012, while daily cannabis use among the cohort was 8% in 2017 and 6% in 2012.

Reports of past-year cannabis use among adults aged 35 to 50 also reached an all-time high of 28% in 2022; an increase from 25% in 2021, 17% in 2017, and 12% in 2012.

Past-year cannabis vaping was reported by 21% of adults 19 to 30 years old in 2022, the highest levels found in the survey since the question was first added in 2017 (12%). In 2021, that figure was 19% and 12% in 2017. Past-year nicotine vaping among the younger adult group also reached a historic high of 24% in 2022, nearly double the rate (14%) reported in 2017, when the NIH first added the question to the survey.

Among adults aged 35 to 50, reports of past-year cannabis vaping remained at similar levels (9% in 2022) since 2019, when these questions were first available in this age group. Prevalence of past-year nicotine vaping has also remained steady in this age group since it has been reported, with 7% reporting in 2022.

The survey found that, among adults aged 19 to 30, 8% reported past-year use of hallucinogens. Five years ago, the share was 5%, and in 2012 the share was 3%. Types of hallucinogens reported by participants included LSD, MDMA, mescaline, peyote, psilocybin mushrooms, and PCP. Most of past-year use in 2022 reported by adults in this age group involved hallucinogens other than LSD (7% in 2022).

Past-year hallucinogen use reached historically high prevalence among adults 35 to 50 years old, reported by 4% in 2022. In 2021, the share was 2%, and five and 10 years ago the share was no greater than 1%.

Over the past decade, the survey has found rates of alcohol use – including past-month use, daily drinking, and binge drinking – declined for adults 19 to 30 years old; however, past-year drinking slightly increased for this age group in 2022 (84%) compared to five years ago (82% in 2017).

The survey also found that alcohol use among adults aged 35 to 50 has shown a gradual increase over the past 10 years, with past-year drinking increasing from 83% in 2012 to 85% in 2022. Binge drinking in this older group reached its highest levels (29% in 2022), and increased over the past year, five years, and 10 years (26% in 2021; 25% in 2017; 23% in 2012).

The study also suggests that past-year use of cigarettes, sedatives, and non-medical use of opioid medications showed a 10-year decline for both adult age groups and reported past-year amphetamine use continued a 10-year decrease among 19- to 30-year-olds and a 10-year increase among 35- to 50-year-olds.

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New Hampshire to Study State-Owned Cannabis Retail System

8/10/2023

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New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu (R) on Tuesday signed the bill to create a cannabis legalization study commission, the New Hampshire Bulletin reports. The commission will evaluate how, and whether, cannabis could be sold through state-owned shops rather than private retailers. 

Cannabis use and possession is currently not legal in New Hampshire. In 2017, the state decriminalized possession of up to three-quarters of an ounce and anyone caught with less than that may be fined but not arrested.   

Sununu, who is not running for reelection next year, has long opposed cannabis legalization reforms in the state but in May said he would sign a legalization proposal into law if the bill included government control of sales, like how the state handles liquor sales. Were the state to approve such a system, New Hampshire would be the only state in the country to sell cannabis at state-run shops. Sununu has criticized nearby Maine and Massachusetts for, what he calls, “Marijuana Miles” or high concentrations of cannabis dispensaries. 

The commission will include five senators and five House representatives, as well as members representing the Attorney General’s Office; the New Hampshire Association of Chiefs of Police; the New Hampshire Bankers Association; the New Hampshire Liquor Commission; the American Civil Liberties Union; the New Hampshire Medical Society; and Communities for Alcohol and Drug-Free Youth. The commission will be required to consult with the state’s Alternative Treatment Centers, which currently dispense medical cannabis in the state, and the New Hampshire Cannabis Association, which has advocated for broad legalization. 

Under the law, the commission must file a report with its findings and recommendations by December 1.   

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Gallup Poll: Half of Americans Have Tried Cannabis

8/10/2023

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Half of Americans have tried cannabis at some point, according to a new Gallup poll. Another 17% of those polled said they “smoke marijuana” – a new high recorded by the pollster but similar to the 16% found in the Gallup Consumption Habits survey a year ago.   

The proportion of Americans who say they smoke cannabis has more than doubled since 2013, when Gallup first asked the question, when 7% of respondents said they did. Between 1969 and 1977, the number of Americans who said they had tried cannabis jumped 20 percentage points, from 4% to 24% and the share rose another nine points, to 33%, by 1985, but then stalled at under 40% until 2015, when it rose to 44%. It remained at about that level through 2019 but then ticked up to 49% in 2021. 

Over that same period, Gallup recorded a significant increase in the U.S. public’s support for cannabis legalization, which has grown from 12% in 1969 to 68% today. 

The survey found that a majority of Democrats (57%) and independents (52%) had tried cannabis at some point, compared to 39% of Republicans.  

According to the poll, current use is highest among adults aged 18 to 34 – at 29% – and the cohort is more than three times as likely as adults 55-and-older (9%) to be current cannabis consumers. Current use among adults aged 35-54 (17%) matches the national average. 

Similar percentages of men and women say they consume cannabis, while adults without a college degree are about twice as likely as college graduates to smoke it. Democrats (21%) are nearly twice as likely as Republicans (12%) to smoke cannabis, while independents’ use (17%) falls in between. 

The majority of respondents said they are “not too” (32%) or “not at all concerned” about the effects of cannabis on adults (23%), while less than half said they are “very” (19%) or “somewhat concerned” (26%). Respondents were more likely to express concerns about cannabis’ effects on young adults or teens, with 40% saying they are “very” concerned and 35% saying they are “somewhat” concerned.   

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Former Adelanto, California Mayor Sentenced to 14 Months for Cannabis-Related Bribes

8/07/2023

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The former mayor of Adelanto, California was sentenced on Friday to 14 months in federal prison for taking bribes from cannabis interests, the Los Angeles Times reports. Richard Kerr. 66, was charged in 2021 for taking more than $57,000 in bribes and kickbacks while mayor for approving ordinances and securing permits for cannabis-related businesses.  

Kerr was voted out of office in 2018 after the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) raided his home as part of the corruption probe. He was first elected in 2014.  

In February, Kerr pleaded guilty to one count involving wire fraud. According to his plea agreement, the illegal payments from Kerr’s “co-schemers” – described as an attorney and various business people – were disguised as donations to a charity fund or to his election campaign, the report says.  

U.S. District Judge John W. Holcomb imposed a lighter sentence than the 46 months sought by prosecutors. Holcomb said he took into account Kerr’s age, health, his service as a U.S. Marine, and family obligations in his sentencing.  

The judge ordered Kerr to surrender to federal custody in November to begin serving his sentence. 

Last year, a jury convicted Jermaine Wright, Adelanto’s former mayor pro tem, of taking a $10,000 bribe from an FBI agent posing as a cannabis entrepreneur. Wright was sentenced to five years in prison. 

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Adult-Use Cannabis Sales in Illinois Reach $136M in June, Highest Total This Year

8/02/2023

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Illinois adult-use cannabis sales in June topped $136 million – the highest total of the year and the third highest ever, according to Cannabis Regulation Oversight Officer (CROO) data. In-state cannabis consumers spent $102 million in the month of June, while out-of-state consumers spent $34 million.   

Medical cannabis sales in the state remained flat in June at $27 million, the same total as May and down $1 million from April’s totals.   

Adult-use sales in June were up $3 million from May and $4 million more than April’s sales total. The state saw sales fall from $128 million in January to $120 million in February. The sales drop is likely due to adult-use sales commencing in nearby Missouri, which has the lowest excise tax on cannabis products at 6%, according to Tax Foundation data. Comparatively, Illinois imposes a 7% excise tax of value at wholesale level; a 10% tax on cannabis flower or products with less than 35% THC; a20% tax on products infused with cannabis, such as edible products; and a 25% tax on any product with a THC concentration higher than 35%. 

The price of cannabis flower at dispensaries across Illinois remained at $10 per gram for the third consecutive month. 

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Cresco Labs and Columbia Care Terminate $2B Merger

8/01/2023

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Multi-state cannabis operators Cresco Labs and Columbia Care on Sunday announced they would not be completing their merger, saying the companies could not complete “the divestitures necessary to secure all necessary regulatory approvals.” 

In March, Cresco had agreed to acquire Columbia Care in a $2 billion deal, which would have created the largest multi-state operator in the U.S. Neither company will pay any penalties or fees related to the decision, which the companies described as mutual.   

In a statement, Cresco CEO Charles Bachtell said that despite the termination of the deal, the company remains committed to its “Year of the Core strategy” which Bachtell described as “restructuring of low-margin operations, improving competitiveness and driving efficiencies in markets” where Cresco maintains “leading market share, and scaling operations to prepare for growth catalysts in emerging markets.”   

“In light of the evolving landscape in the cannabis industry, we believe the decision to terminate the planned transaction is in the long-term interest of Cresco Labs and our shareholders.” — Bachtell in a press release 

Nicholas Vita, CEO and co-founder of Columbia Care, called ending the deal “the best path forward” for the company’s employees, customers, and shareholders. 

“Over the last 16 months we have reviewed every aspect of our business, remained decisive and have made substantive changes that significantly improved our operations – positioning us with significant strategic and operational strength at this inflection point in the company’s history,” Vita said in a statement. “We are looking forward to realizing the benefits of these changes as well as focusing on the opportunities in our outstanding footprint in markets with embedded upside; diversified portfolio of brands; our award-winning national retail brand, The Cannabist; recently implemented operational and organizational efficiencies; proactive balance sheet management activities; and meaningful equity capital markets initiatives that will propel Columbia Care into one of the most profitable and resilient companies in the industry over the next several years.” 

The companies also terminated a deal to sell some divested operations in New York, Massachusetts, and Illinois to an entity owned by Sean “Diddy” Combs for up to $185 million. 

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Only Licensed Hemp Farm In British Isles Shuts Down After UK Government Finds THC In Products

6/30/2023

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The only licensed farm in the British Isles to cultivate hemp and extract CBD onsite has shut down after the United Kingdom Home Office declared its products illegal, the BBC reports. Jersey Hemp co-owners David Ryan and Blair Jones said they laid off half their staff and halted their sales and growing operations after the UK government said it had found THC in its products and restricted export into the UK. 

A Home Office spokesperson told the BBC that the company requires an import license “before controlled drugs are imported into the UK.”

“CBD in its pure form is not a controlled drug, but if a CBD product contains THC or other controlled cannabinoids then it is likely that the product would be controlled.” — UK Home Office to the BBC 

In an interview with the BBC, Ryan described the situation as “very frustrating,” and “pretty sad,” adding that the impact on the company “has been devastating.” 

Deputy Kirsten Morel, Minister for Economic Development, Tourism, Sport and Culture, and Deputy Karen Wilson, Minister for Health and Social Services, said in a joint statement that the government remained “actively committed to supporting the cannabis cultivation industry.” 

“We are aware that Jersey Hemp is in contact with HM Government with respect to exports to the UK – as a separate jurisdiction, we cannot comment on those talks and would also not speculate on their outcome,” the statement says. “All businesses that are licensed to cultivate cannabis in Jersey are responsible for making sure they comply with the relevant legislation in the jurisdiction into which they export products.” 

Ryan and Jones indicated they are considering taking both the UK and Jersey governments to court. 

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Survey: Majority of Californians Are Supportive of Cannabis Legalization

6/27/2023

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A strong majority of Californians remain supportive of the state’s legalization of cannabis, according to a PPIC survey out this month, which found 64% of all adults in the state back the reforms. The level of support marks a new high recorded by PPIC. 

In 2010, PPIC found just 47% of California residents backed adult-use cannabis legalization. 

The survey found a supermajority of Democrats (77%) and independents (76%) supported the reforms, which were approved by voters in 2016. Just 42% of Republicans surveyed backed cannabis legalization. A majority of individuals surveyed from all racial demographics also remained supportive, including 76% of Black people, 64% of Asian people, 53% of Latino people, and 71% of white people.  

Despite the majority of support, just 56% of respondents favored adult-use cannabis sales in their city. In actuality, cannabis sales are banned 61% of the state’s cities and counties.

Most respondents, 61%, also indicated that cannabis legalization is “mostly a good thing,” while 35% said it was “mostly a bad thing.” Californians aged 18-34 are more likely than Californians 35 and older to have a positive view of the state’s legalization law (69%-58%). Additionally, the share of Californians who say that legalizing cannabis was a good thing increases with education level (49% support among those with only a high school education, 65% support among those with some college education, and 69% support among college graduates).

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Report: Just 24.4% of Cannabis Businesses Are Profitable

6/26/2023

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In its annual Cannabis Operator Sentiment and Business Conditions report, Whitney Economics suggests that just 24.4% of cannabis businesses in the U.S. turn a profit, down 42% from the year prior.  

In a statement, Beau Whitney, founder of Whitney Economics, said that by conducting the survey, the firm “strives to bridge the gap between the theories of business economics and the daily lives of operators within the cannabis industry.”  

The survey found that “over 70% of respondents favored some form of limited cannabis licensure structure, despite many of them coming from unlimited license states.” 

“Operators continue to be impacted by taxes, strict regulatory rules, and lack of access to capital. Only one quarter (24.4%) of respondents reported profitable operations.” — Whitney Economics Q4’22 Cannabis Operator Sentiment & Business Conditions Survey Report 

The report also suggests that “cannabis legislative and regulatory policies have remained static, focused more on tax generation than on creating a viable, business friendly environment.” 

“Markets and business conditions have changed,” Whitney Economics said in a press release, “while regulatory policies have not.” 

The report says that were state policies “more industry focused and supportive of business, respondents feel that market conditions and operator sentiment will improve.” 

The survey measured shortages and surpluses in materials, services and labor inputs against future expectations. 

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Connecticut Cannabis Sales Reach $23M in May

6/13/2023

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Combined adult-use and medical cannabis sales in Connecticut totaled nearly $23 million in May, according to state Department of Consumer Protection data. Adult-use sales topped $11.5 million during the month, while medical cannabis sales reached $11.2 million. 

During the month, 312,758 medical cannabis products were sold, with an average price of $35.86, while adult-use consumers purchased 292,054 products, with an average price of $39.47.  

Adult-use sales totals in May were the highest since the launch of legal sales in January, topping the previous record of $10.2 million recorded in April. Medical cannabis sales fell slightly in May from the $11.4 million recorded the previous month. 

The average adult-use cannabis product price also reached its lowest level since adult-use sales commenced but fell only slightly from April’s average price of $39.48. Medical cannabis sales have remained stable but May’s average product price was the second lowest since January.  

The prices reported by the agency do not include taxes, which are based on milligrams of total THC for edibles and concentrates. Flower sales include the state’s usual 6.35% sales tax, a 3% tax that goes to the municipality where the sale occurs, and a tax based on THC content. Medical cannabis sales are untaxed.  

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New Hampshire Lawmakers Give Up on Effort to Legalize Cannabis Sales Through State-Run System

6/01/2023

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New Hampshire lawmakers on Tuesday gave up on an effort to come to a deal on allowing adult-use cannabis sales under a state-control model that was backed by Gov. Chris Sununu (R), WMUR reports. Sununu had pitched the plan after the state Senate voted 14-10 earlier this month to reject a House-approved legalization bill.

The House Commerce Committee couldn’t agree on how to proceed with a plan to implement the state-control system for cannabis, with a major issue being how the state would treat the medical cannabis operators. 

Cannabis advocates in the state and medical cannabis companies said they wanted more clarity written into the legislation rather than through a bureaucratic rulemaking process. Timothy Egan, of the New Hampshire Cannabis Association, said stakeholders “want to know the rules” before they begin investing in businesses. 

“I don’t think you can create the hopes and dreams of a businessperson on ‘Oh, we’ll get to the rules later.'” — Egan via WMUR 

Earlier this month, after years of opposition to cannabis legalization in the state, Sununu said during an interview with WMUR’s CloseUp that allowing cannabis sales through state-run shops could help “harm reduction” efforts in the state. During the interview, Sununu described cannabis legalization in the state as “probably inevitable in some way or form.” He added that the system would prevent so-called “Marijuana Miles,” which he described as the strings of “pot shop, after pot shop, after pot shop” that have popped up in Massachusetts and Maine.   

Republican House Majority Leader Jason Osborne told WMUR that “Until people are ready to get together and compromise and not demand that their preferred state of the world is the only thing they will accept, we’re not going to get anywhere.” 

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Report: 52% of Cannabis Consumers in Adult-Use States Primarily Use Dispensaries

5/24/2023

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Slightly more than half – 52% – of cannabis consumers in adult-use markets use dispensaries as their primary source of cannabis products, according to a report released last week by New Frontier Data. Thirty-seven percent of cannabis consumers in medical-only states primarily get their cannabis from dispensaries, along with 29% of those in states where cannabis is illegal for any purpose, the report says. 

Just 16% of respondents in adult-use states get their cannabis primarily from a friend, along with 26% of cannabis consumers in medical-only states, and 31% of those who live in a state where cannabis remains outlawed.  

Another 17% of respondents living in adult-use states said they primarily used delivery services, along with 14% of those in medical-only states, and 12% who live in an illicit state.

Only 6% of respondents who live in a legal state rely primarily on a “dealer,” along with 12% of those that live in a medical-only state, and 17% of those who live in a state where cannabis is illegal.

The use of dispensaries among all cannabis consumers in 2023 rose 9% from the previous New Frontier report examining where individuals were making their purchases. The overall percentage (29%) of those getting their cannabis from friends and family remained unchanged, while the use of delivery declined from 18% in 2022 to 15% this year, while the use of dealers also fell 3% from 13% to 10%, according to the report. 

The report notes that 74% of the total U.S. population currently lives in a state with either adult or medical use cannabis access.    

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New Hampshire Senate Votes to Study Legal Cannabis Sales Through State-Run Shops

5/19/2023

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The New Hampshire Senate on Thursday voted to create a commission to study cannabis legalization after Gov. Chris Sununu (R) said he would back the reforms if sales occurred in state-run dispensaries, InDepthNH reports. The amendment to create the commission was included in a bill to expand the definition of who can enroll in the state’s medical cannabis program and passed the chamber on a voice vote. 

The New Hampshire House last month passed a broad cannabis legalization bill but the Senate rejected the measure last week. The day after the Senate vote, Sununu appeared on WMUR’s CloseUp and said he would sign a cannabis legalization bill that includes a sales structure through state-run shops, similar to how the state sells liquor. In the interview, he described cannabis legalization in New Hampshire as “probably inevitable in some way or form.” 

The commission would be tasked with studying the feasibility of establishing a state-controlled system to sell cannabis. It would explore how to keep cannabis away from kids and out of schools; how to control marketing and messaging cannabis sales; how to allow local control; and how to reduce multi-drug use. 

The commission would also seek to prevent so-called “marijuana miles,” which Sununu blasted in the interview with CloseUp as “pot shop, after pot shop, after pot shop,” in Maine and Massachusetts. 

The commission would also determine how to allow adult-use sales and not impose additional taxes.    

The first meeting of the commission would be held within 45 days of the bill’s passage and a final report would be due by December 1, 2023. 

The measure still requires House approval before moving to Sununu for final approval. 

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Connecticut Medical Cannabis Sales Decrease for First Time Since Adult-Use Launch

5/15/2023

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Medical cannabis sales in Connecticut in April decreased for the first time since adult-use sales commenced in the state, according to state data outlined by CT Insider. Medical cannabis sales in April totaled $11.4 million, down from $12.6 million in March, but were still higher than adult-use sales in April, which reached $10.2 million.  

Adult-use cannabis sales in Connecticut commenced in January and totaled $5.1 million, while medical cannabis sales reached just over $8 million. In February, adult-use sales were just over $7 million, while medical cannabis sales totaled $11.4 million. In March, adult-use sales climbed to about $9.6 million, with medical sales totaling about $12.6 million. 

The price of medical cannabis since the launch of adult-use sales has remained stable, with an average product price of $35.68 in January, $36.11 in February, $37.06 in March, and $36.51 in April, according to state data. Adult-use prices have declined since the $44.61 average seen during the January market launch. In February, the average price was $41.82; $40.69 in March; and $39.58 in April.    

Despite the strong medical cannabis sales, patient counts are on the decline in the state. In January, there were 48,896 registered medical cannabis patients, compared to 46,048 in April. 

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New Hampshire Gov. Says He Would Sign Cannabis Legalization Bill With State-Controlled Sales

5/15/2023

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During an appearance on WMUR’s CloseUp, New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu (R) said he would support cannabis legalization in the state under state control – similar to how the state sells liquor.  

The governor’s comments came the day after the state Senate rejected a cannabis legalization measure that had been approved by the House. 

During the interview, Sununu, who has long opposed the reforms, said he is coming around on cannabis legalization because it could help “harm reduction” and noted that other states have focused on tax revenues associated with the market.   

Sununu pointed out that polls in the state show a majority of New Hampshire residents back the reforms.  

“Whether we like it or not, this is probably inevitable in some way or form. So, let’s make sure we design a system that focuses on harm reduction as opposed to profits and when you have the system like our liquor stores – which is very unique in the country, one of the only states that has that – so, therefore, we have this amazing tool to control location, to control where it is, to control how it’s marketed, how it’s distributed, keeping it away from kids, making sure we don’t add a tax to it so we can, effectively, undercut these cartels that are bringing poly drugs in, right?” — Sununu on CloseUp     

During the interview, Sununu takes aim at so-called “Marijuana Miles” in Massachusetts and Maine, which he describes as a string of “pot shop, after pot shop, after pot shop” which he says “completely changes the fabric of the town.”  

“But with a single store in a town, or a town could say ‘We don’t want it here,’ fine, we won’t put it there. Right? Just like our liquor stores do now,” Sununu said. “Again, being able to control that aspect of it I think maintains what we are in New Hampshire, maintains a place where people want to be, and it doesn’t, kind of, overcome the town so-to-say.”  

Sununu indicated that were a bill that includes the state-control model to hit his desk, he would sign it into law.

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Missouri Cannabis Sales Reach $350M During First Three Months

5/09/2023

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Cannabis sales in Missouri have topped $350 million during the first three months of adult-use sales, the Missouri Independent reports. And while sales have remained strong, there was a slight dip in cannabis sales in April as adult-use sales fell about 3% from March, to $91 million, while medical cannabis sales slipped nearly 8% to $30.1 million, KSDK reports.  

Missouri cannabis sales nevertheless remain on track to achieve $1 billion in annual sales this year. 

Comparatively, it took seven months for neighboring Illinois to reach $300 million in cannabis sales after starting adult-use sales in January 2020. Illinois didn’t reach $1 billion in sales until 2022, according to the Independent. 

Missouri officials are also still processing nearly 100 requests for new cannabis businesses or changes to existing facilities. In February, the Department of Health and Human Services (DHSS) had 121 total pending requests – 39 for cultivation facilities, 36 for manufacturing facilities, seven for transporters, and one testing lab. The state has so far approved 23 of those requests, department spokeswoman Lisa Cox told the Independent, adding that 29 other requests are in final review and should be approved this month.  

Cox noted that the Division of Cannabis Regulation is also upping its staff and is about 30% through its hiring plan. She expects the agency should be fully staffed by the end of the year. 

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Poll: South Dakota Voters Split on Cannabis Legalization

4/20/2023

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A new poll released Monday by the School of American and Global Studies at South Dakota State University suggests that South Dakota voters are open to legalizing cannabis for adult use despite rejecting the reforms last year.  

In 2020, voters had approved the reforms 54%-46% but the measure was voided on procedural grounds by the state Supreme Court. Two years later, a similar measure was rejected by voters 53%-47%. 

The poll found 30% of respondents “strongly” supported the reforms while 19% “somewhat” backed adult-use legalization – 49% total. Another 30% “strongly” opposed the reforms, with 11% “somewhat” opposed – 41% total – while just 10% had no opinion. 

“While South Dakota does trail behind other states in the level of support for legalization, it is following the national trend. We quite literally would not be having the same conversation 20 years ago because of the staunch opposition. Should this issue appear yet again on the ballot, its passage is very much within the realm of possibility.” — David Wiltse PhD and Filip Viskupič PhD, ‘The Political Fight Over Recreational Marijuana is Far from Over’ 

The majority – 52% – of Republicans polled were strongly opposed, while 11% were somewhat opposed. Just 11% of Republicans strongly supported adult-use legalization, with 12% somewhat in support and 13% had no opinion. Among Democrats, 42% were strong supporters, while 28% somewhat backed adult-use cannabis legalization. Just 1 in 10 Democrats remained strongly opposed, 12% somewhat opposed and 8% with no opinion.     

The poll included 747 registered South Dakota voters.  

Late last year, South Dakotans for Better Marijuana Laws, the group behind both previous ballot initiatives, indicated they may try for a third time to put the issue to voters in 2024.  

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Small Trial Suggests DMT Can Improve Symptoms of Depression

4/06/2023

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A trial conducted by biotechnology company Small Pharma found that the psychedelic DMT could improve symptoms of depression when used in conjunction with therapy. In the study, which used intravenous DMT dosing, 14 participants out of 34 were in remission from depression within three months and nine remained in remission up to six months. 

The study, which utilized a proprietary synthetic formulation of DMT known as SPL026, has not been peer-reviewed. 

In a press release, Dr. Carol Routledge, chief medical and scientific officer at Small Pharma, said the team is “increasingly encouraged by the treatment potential” of the drug. 

“A single dose in conjunction with therapy demonstrated a rapid and robust antidepressant effect after one week. This new data shows that the antidepressant effect was sustained for six-months in two-thirds of patients who were in remission at an earlier time-point in the study.” — Routledge in a statement   

The first part of the study involved 34 patients being given the treatment during a two-and-a-half-hour clinical session with a therapist and a therapy session followed which helped participants process their experience. The second part of the study followed participants for another three months after being administered the drug, and then six more months after the study had come to an end in an assessment of its durability. 

In a joint statement, Robin Carhart-Harris PhD, director of the psychedelics division at the Weill Institute for Neurosciences at the University of California San Francisco, and Ralph Metzner distinguished professor of Neurology, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, said the study’s results suggest that the drug “can elicit a fast-acting antidepressant response that appears to be enduring in several cases.”

“Recent neuroimaging and preclinical findings imply a regenerative action with DMT and other related serotonergic agonists,” Carhart-Harris and Metzner said in the statement.

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New York Judge Narrows Scope of Dispensary Licensing Injunction

3/30/2023

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A New York Appeals Court judge on Tuesday narrowed the preliminary injunction on the state’s conditional adult-use retail dispensary (CAURD) plan to only include the state’s Finger Lakes region. The lawsuit, by Michigan-based Variscite NY One, had affected 63 of the 150 licenses set to be awarded to social equity applicants and prohibited licenses from being granted in the region along with Brooklyn, Central New York, the Mid-Hudson Area, and Western New York.   

The decision by Judge Gary L. Sharpe will allow the state to move forward with issuing 38 licenses in Brooklyn, 14 in the Central region, 34 in the Mid-Hudson region, and 22 in the Western region. The 18 licenses in the Finger Lakes region will remain in limbo.  

The decision does not indicate why the judge determined to narrow the scope of the original circuit court injunction.    

In the case, Variscite argues that requirements that applicants must have a cannabis-related conviction under New York state law and significant ties to the state violate constitutional protections of interstate commerce. Those rules exclude people who had been arrested on cannabis-related charges in New York, but not convicted, and those who had only federal or out-of-state convictions. The regulations also require that applicants be headquartered in the state.  

Variscite did not qualify for one of the first licenses, according to the initial complaint, because the company is based in Michigan. Varacite’s majority owner, Kenneth Gay, was convicted of a cannabis offense in Michigan. Despite the state’s rules, Varacite applied anyway, listing the five regions affected by the original injunction as preferred locations on its application.   

Earlier this month, officials doubled the number of available cannabis licenses to 300. Tremaine Wright, chair of the Cannabis Control Board, said the license expansion will allow more entrepreneurs to “participate in the first wave of this industry, allowing them to capitalize on the growing demand for cannabis products.”    

New York has so far been slow to award licenses which has led to a proliferation of unlicensed shops selling cannabis throughout the state. Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) last week proposed legislation to crack down on illegal operators, including imposing $10,000 fines per day of unlawful operations.  

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Study: Medical Cannabis Use By Americans Doubled From 2013-2020

3/13/2023

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Medical cannabis use among Americans increased from 1.2% in 2013-2014 to 2.5% in 2019-2020, according to research published March 12 in the American Journal of Preventative Medicine. 

The study, conducted by researchers at the Yale School of Medicine, used A modified Poisson model to estimate the average annual percent change (AAPC) of medical cannabis use from 2013 to 2020. The study suggests an AAPC of 12.9% from the period included in the model.    

“The study documents a continued nationwide increase in use of cannabis for diverse medical purposes between 2013 and 2020, two decades after the first state passed legalizing legislation.” — “Increasing Use of Cannabis for Medical Purposes among US Residents 2013-2020,” American Journal of Preventative Medicine

The analyses included “key socio-demographic and clinical subgroups” and the data analyzed was from September 2013 to November 2022. The researchers note that “living in a state that legalized medical cannabis remained significantly associated with medical cannabis use.” 

Medical cannabis is legal in 39 states and Washington D.C.  

The study does not indicate the percentage of patients that are enrolled in low-THC or CBD-only programs administered by some conservative states.  

A 2022 Pew Research poll found 30% of respondents backed cannabis legalization for only medical purposes, while 59% of respondents said it should be legal for medical and adult-use. 

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New York Doubles Adult-Use Cannabis Dispensary Licenses

3/03/2023

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New York is doubling the number of adult-use cannabis dispensary licenses in the state from 150 to 300, according to a Spectrum News report. The state Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) has so far received about 900 dispensary licenses and has issued 66 provisional licenses. 

The expansion comes amidst a lawsuit by a Michigan-based cannabis company that has delayed the awarding of licenses in Brooklyn, Central New York, the Finger Lakes, the Mid-Hudson Area, and Western New York.  

In a statement, Tremaine Wright, chair of the Cannabis Control Board, said the license expansion will allow more entrepreneurs to “participate in the first wave of this industry, allowing them to capitalize on the growing demand for cannabis products.”  

“As more businesses enter this market, the innovation and competition will increase, leading to better quality experiences for consumers.” — Wright, in a statement, via Spectrum News 

Damian Fagon, chief equity officer of the OCM, said doubling the number of licenses “will help kickstart the growth of New York’s cannabis industry.”   

“More stores means more locations for New York farmers to sell their harvests, more convenience for New York customers to make the right decisions and purchase safer and legal products, and twice as many opportunities for New Yorkers harmed by over-policing during cannabis prohibition,” he said. 

According to the OCM website there are currently only four state-approved cannabis dispensaries in the state, including three in New York City and one in Binghamton which is in the state’s Southern Tier region.  

  

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USDA Report: Hemp Planting Off to Slower Start Than in 2022

2/28/2023

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Hemp planting in the U.S. is off to a slower start this year compared to the same period in 2022, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Weekly Hemp Report. So far this year, less than 10 acres of hemp have been reported to the Farm Service Agency (FSA), down from about 100 acres reported to the FSA last year. 

According to the report, most of the hemp planted is being cultivated for seed production and cannabinoid extraction.  

The agency said that retail ad totals for hemp products were up 12% from last week and 14% from 2022 while the number of hemp items advertised fell by only one item. Hemp item prices were reportedly down overall in the weekly report, except for a 25% increase in the price of 16 oz. organic hemp seed. Price decreases were “only slight,” the report notes, except for a 19% decrease for 7 oz. organic hemp seed. Hemp prices remained stable in Hawaii.

The USDA launched the weekly National Hemp Report late last month. The report contains retail advertised prices of hemp products nationally and by region, along with volumes and cost, insurance, and freight values of hemp imports into the U.S.

In a statement announcing the new report, Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Jenny Lester Moffitt said the USDA “has recognized the hemp industry’s need for timely market information” and the report “will equip stakeholders with weekly price and volume information to help guide smart business decisions.” 

The report will be issued every Wednesday.      

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Massachusetts’ Harpoon Brewery Launches its First THC Beverage

2/24/2023

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Harpoon Brewery has launched its first THC-based beverage, Rec. Weed, in partnership with Novel Beverage Company. The company describes Rec. Weed as “hop-forward yet approachable.” It contains no alcohol, 5 milligrams of THC, real passionfruit puree, green tea, and hops. 

Dan Kenary, CEO and co-founder of Harpoon, said it partnered with Novel on the product because of its “vast knowledge” of the cannabis industry and “strong New England roots.” Both companies are based in Massachusetts.

“The adult beverage space is constantly evolving. With THC now legalized in states across much of the country – especially here in the Northeast – we saw not only high demand for a THC-based beverage, but an opportunity to experiment in a way that would uniquely leverage our strengths in the beer world.” — Kenary in a press release 

Rec. Weed is the second cannabis-inspired product from Harpoon’s parent company, Mass. Bay Brewing Company, after previously launching Long Trail’s CBD Seltzer. The CBD Seltzer is available in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Rhode Island, and Vermont.  

Rec. Weed is currently only available at adult-use dispensaries in Massachusetts. Novel products are available at adult-use cannabis dispensaries in Maine and Massachusetts. Novel has also worked with Shipyard Brewing and Sea Dog Brewing on cannabis beverages.  

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