United States drug policy this week moved one step closer to sanity. It’s got much further to go. We are not cannabis enthusiasts, nor do we love what legal and regulated substances like alcohol and tobacco do to human and public health. But dealing with those who sold and used pot through arrest, prosecution and occasional incarceration was cruel. It was wasteful. And it was … [Read more...] about Not a token step on cannabis: Federal downgrading of drug is welcome
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Hawaii Has Been Debating Marijuana Legalization For Half A Century
State Rep. John Carroll was fed up with Hawaii’s outdated marijuana laws. The Republican lawmaker had recently been at a rock concert where much of the audience had lit up — some right in front of police officers. Thousands of Hawaii’s citizens smoked pot, Carroll told the Honolulu Star-Bulletin newspaper, but nothing had been done to update the legal code to “better fit the … [Read more...] about Hawaii Has Been Debating Marijuana Legalization For Half A Century
Research Shows Some Rolling Papers Have High Levels of Heavy Metals
Many brands of rolling papers designed for smoking weed contain elevated levels of potentially dangerous heavy metals, according to the results of a recent study. Rolling papers with dies or metallic tips pose a particular danger, the research determined, with some brands containing enough copper to be harmful to cannabis consumers who use them frequently. The study, which was … [Read more...] about Research Shows Some Rolling Papers Have High Levels of Heavy Metals
The Cannabis Industry Hopes for New Highs
A flicker of hope for the weed business For years, the dreams of the cannabis industry looked like they might go up in smoke, with the U.S. government classifying marijuana as a drug as dangerous as heroin. But the multibillion-dollar industry now has some hope that could change. Shares in cannabis-related companies are soaring, as the Biden administration weighs easing federal … [Read more...] about The Cannabis Industry Hopes for New Highs
Kansas Medical Cannabis Proposal Dead for 2024
A bill to legalize medical marijuana in Kansas is dead for 2024 after the state Senate blocked an effort to bring the proposal to the floor for debate. Had it passed, the measure would have legalized the medicinal use of cannabis by patients with certain qualifying conditions in one of the few states that have yet to legalize medical weed. Last month, a Kansas Senate … [Read more...] about Kansas Medical Cannabis Proposal Dead for 2024
U.S. Economy To Receive $112.4 Billion Boost from Cannabis Industry in 2024
Green isn’t just the color of cannabis, but cash, too. And thanks to your valiant efforts of consumption, the industry is looking to help out the economy. Info from the newly released MJBiz Factbook reveals that the economic impact of regulated marijuana sales in the U.S. could exceed a whopping $112.4 billion in 2024. That’s a 12% growth compared to last year. Overall, the … [Read more...] about U.S. Economy To Receive $112.4 Billion Boost from Cannabis Industry in 2024
Michigan’s cannabis industry employs more than 46,000 workers, per report
Michigan’s cannabis industry continues to expand. Buoyed by the opening of the first licensed retail stores in Detroit, Michigan added 11,341 jobs last year to solidify its spot as the nation’s second-largest cannabis market, behind only California, according to data compiled by Vangst and Whitney Economics. Michigan’s cannabis industry employed 46,746 full-time workers as of … [Read more...] about Michigan’s cannabis industry employs more than 46,000 workers, per report
Mass. Sen. Warren, Dems, want DEA to bump cannabis from most dangerous drugs list
U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass. (L) speaks with Bob Lane, the president and CEO of Direct Tires & Auto Service, in Watertown, Mass., and U.S. Federal Trade Commission Chairperson Lina Khan on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024. Warren visited the auto repair shop to stress the importance of Massachusetts' Right-to-Repair Law (MassLive photo by John L. Micek).John L. Micek It might … [Read more...] about Mass. Sen. Warren, Dems, want DEA to bump cannabis from most dangerous drugs list
Florida’s humid summers cause enough stench; DeSantis opposes adding marijuana to the mix.
Florida is an awfully smelly place. The best description I’ve heard about being outdoors in Florida during the summer is that it’s like living inside of somebody’s mouth: It’s way too moist, and there’s something decaying in the area but you’re not quite sure where it is. So anything to make Florida smell less like one big outdoor compost heap is worth a try. For millions of … [Read more...] about Florida’s humid summers cause enough stench; DeSantis opposes adding marijuana to the mix.
Cannabis legalization has led to a boom in potent forms of the drug that present new hazards for adolescents
Eventually, most adults reach a point where we realize we are out of touch with those much younger than us. Perhaps it is a pop culture reference that sparks the realization. For me, this moment happened when I was in my late 20s and working with adolescents in school settings to help them quit smoking. When other drugs would occasionally come up, I didn’t understand some of … [Read more...] about Cannabis legalization has led to a boom in potent forms of the drug that present new hazards for adolescents