Old New York’s going up in smoke!Smith’s Bar, the iconic, neon-sign dive near Times Square, has closed for good and is set to be replaced by a marijuana dispensary — leaving broken-hearted regulars feeling burned.The beloved watering hole — where theater-going hipsters knocked one back alongside old drunks and businessmen for 70 years — shuttered for good last week on 44th … [Read more...] about Iconic NYC dive Smith’s Bar to be replaced by weed dispensary near Times Square
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‘Tremendously out of step’: Texas cannabis advocates react to proposed THC ban, Patrick clarifies bill
Cannabis advocates in Texas have responded strongly to Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s Wednesday announcement of a proposed all-THC ban. Though Patrick clarified on Thursday the ban will not impact the state’s limited medical marijuana program, those with cannabis businesses and organizations that support marijuana legalization feel the proposed bill is “tremendously out of step” with … [Read more...] about ‘Tremendously out of step’: Texas cannabis advocates react to proposed THC ban, Patrick clarifies bill
FDA greenlights study of marijuana as PTSD treatment for veterans
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given the go-ahead for a controversial clinical trial to test whether marijuana can be used to treat combat veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The long-delayed study is sponsored by the nonprofit Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) and had been delayed since 2021 due to several objections by … [Read more...] about FDA greenlights study of marijuana as PTSD treatment for veterans
Justice Department Calls Out Tennessee For Racial Disparities In Marijuana Arrests, Despite Ongoing Federal Cannabis Criminalization
The Justice Department is condemning the Memphis, Tennessee Police Department (MPD) following an investigation that discovered a “pattern” of civil rights violations—including racial disparities in marijuana-related arrests. At the same time, however, cannabis remains criminalized across the board under federal law. Following a broader review of the local department’s … [Read more...] about Justice Department Calls Out Tennessee For Racial Disparities In Marijuana Arrests, Despite Ongoing Federal Cannabis Criminalization
It’s Time To Legalize Medical Marijuana In Indiana, Incoming Governor Says As New Poll Shows Nearly 9 In 10 Hoosiers Agree
Indiana’s incoming governor said this week that it’s “probably time” to legalize medical marijuana in the state—a reform that, according to a new survey, nearly 9 in 10 residents support. “It’s probably time for it to have found its way to Indiana—on the medical side,” Gov.-elect Mike Braun (R) told local reporters this week. Medical cannabis is already legal in all four states … [Read more...] about It’s Time To Legalize Medical Marijuana In Indiana, Incoming Governor Says As New Poll Shows Nearly 9 In 10 Hoosiers Agree
What’s that smell? Twin Cities suburbs adopt odor ordinances before cannabis retail market launches
Its smell is unmistakable — piney and sometimes faintly foul, with an acrid or spicy kick. Its pungency is polarizing: depending on who you ask, the scent of cannabis is enjoyable, tolerable or plainly repulsive. And as Twin Cities suburbs gear up for Minnesota’s recreational marijuana market to launch, some local officials are establishing rules around noxious scents. City … [Read more...] about What’s that smell? Twin Cities suburbs adopt odor ordinances before cannabis retail market launches
St. Louis couple grinds up marijuana waste so companies don’t have to
ST. LOUIS — There's a problem in the cannabis industry.After the flowers are harvested, the stems are left. After the vapes are smoked, the cartridges are empty.As the marijuana business grows, so does the amount of waste it produces. But cultivators and retailers can't just throw away bad materials. To meet Missouri disposal requirements, the product must be mixed up with … [Read more...] about St. Louis couple grinds up marijuana waste so companies don’t have to
Smell of Raw Cannabis Enough for Police to Search a Vehicle, Illinois Supreme Court Rules. Smell of Burnt Cannabis is Not
A whiff of raw cannabis is enough for a police officer to search a vehicle, the Illinois Supreme Court decided in an opinion filed Thursday, even though marijuana is legal in the state. It’s the opposite of the conclusion justices reached in a September ruling in a case involving the smell of burnt cannabis. The disparity — that the smell of unsmoked marijuana is justification … [Read more...] about Smell of Raw Cannabis Enough for Police to Search a Vehicle, Illinois Supreme Court Rules. Smell of Burnt Cannabis is Not
Pa. cannabis legalization bill to propose state-run dispensaries with room for private businesses
State Reps. Dan Frankel (D-Allegheny) and Rick Krajewski (D-Philadelphia) are rolling out a substantial new recreational cannabis legalization bill. According to Frankel, it outlines a model that would see cannabis sold in state-owned stores like liquor, while making room for private businesses in other parts of the industry, like growing, cultivation or bar-like consumption … [Read more...] about Pa. cannabis legalization bill to propose state-run dispensaries with room for private businesses
Columbus City Council to vote on creating ‘weed fund’ to collect marijuana tax revenue
The city of Columbus could soon establish a separate "weed fund" to manage its income from the tax on marijuana sales, a new revenue source the City Council welcomes. Columbus City Auditor Megan N. Kilgore said she conservatively estimates the city will bring in $8 million from marijuana sale tax receipts in the first year that the drug was legalized for recreational use in … [Read more...] about Columbus City Council to vote on creating ‘weed fund’ to collect marijuana tax revenue
