Author: Benjamin M. Adams

[ad_1] In last week’s seventh annual Cannabis Start-Up Competition at Boston University (BU) in Massachusetts, on the same night Ohio became the 24th state to legalize adult-use cannabis, a stoner-friendly app JoinME took home the grand prize. It enables users to locate and meet up and join with stoners who share the same goals and interests. Now in its sixth year, the BU alumni-founders behind Green Lion Partners sponsored an annual start-up competition for current BU Terriers and alums who are developing innovative cannabis-adjacent companies. BU Today reports that student- and alumni-led teams pitch their business concepts Shark Tank–style to…

[ad_1] The hemp-derived cannabinoid market is hotter than ever but experts warn that people should educate themselves about the fundamental differences between delta-8 THC and delta-9 THC products. High Times previously reported that delta-8 THC was first partially synthesized in 1941, yet there’s still a lot of controversy surrounding the ingredient, due to the way it’s extracted and converted.  Nextar reports that a Johns Hopkins School of Medicine professor and other experts want to educate people about the choices they should make with cannabis. “Chemically, they’re almost identical. But that one little difference in that chemical structure results in a…

[ad_1] Republican Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine called on state legislators to amend and whittle down the provisions of Issue 2, the law voters in the state just approved, before the bill takes effect on Dec. 7. And since Issue 2 is a citizen initiative, Ohio lawmakers could lawfully make changes to the law, but they only have about a month to do so.  Ohio Capital Journal reports that less than two days after voters approved adult-use cannabis in Ohio, the governor wants to scale it back. “My recommendation to the General Assembly is that they take action to make sure…

[ad_1] Last evening, voters in Ohio approved a ballot proposal, Issue 2, to legalize adult-use cannabis, trouncing voters in opposition to the measure. Last night’s outcome makes Ohio the 24th state to allow adult-cannabis, 14 of which have done so by way of a public vote.  Per the new legislation, adults ages 21 and up can legally buy and possess up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis and grow plants at home—up to six plants per person and 12 plants per residence, where at least two adults reside. A 10% tax will be imposed on cannabis purchases and will go toward…

[ad_1] Cannabis is so stigmatized that some New Yorker’s don’t even want to see it. One New York Republican wants to remove the eyesore of cannabis billboards and signs throughout the state, and introduced a bill that would do so, increasing penalties for signs that are already restricted. Assemblyman Scott Gray (R-Watertown) recently introduced A8200, which would punish people with cannabis signs each day the signage is up. It would prohibit the display of ads for cannabis unless the ads are by an authorized dealer on the site of an authorized business.  New York already restricts cannabis-related billboards, extensively. Regulations…

[ad_1] Florida medical cannabis companies have to pay over 22 times the amount to renew their licenses this year—over $1 million dollars—but one company is challenging the unrealistic price hike before it topples the state’s medical cannabis system as we know it. Sanctuary Cannabis, a medical cannabis company that’s due for a license renewal in January, is arguing that their new $1.33 million price tag for a license is unjustified. The company filed  a petition Oct. 26 against the license renewal fee hike at the state Division of Administrative Hearings. The company provides unit-dosed products that are independently tested for…

[ad_1] Nigerian-born artist Burna Boy, 32, revealed that he turned down a $5 million offer to perform in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) because smoking cannabis is banned in the city, and the punishments are severe.  Per the local law, attempting to enter Dubai with cannabis can result in a five-year sentence, and if you’re caught smoking weed there, you might face a minimum of three months behind bars, and you’ll possibly be deported once you’re released. Before changes were made to ease and update drug laws two years ago, travelers caught with weed could face up to…

[ad_1] The organization behind the state issue to legalize adult-use cannabis in Ohio stomped its counterpart opposition group, outraising them in funds ahead of the general election—by a 3-1 margin. Cannabis advocates are currently assembling to rally round before Ohio voters head to the ballot box next week to decide on adult-use cannabis and several other issues. Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol, the organization behind Ohio’s adult-use cannabis issue, raised over three times the amount of money raised by the opposition group, Protect Ohio Workers and Families. (Keep it going by donating here.) Next week, on Nov. 7, Ohio…

[ad_1] Country cannabis outlaw and icon Willie Nelson entered the Michigan cannabis market, debuting his cannabis brand in the state last week. Michigan is the eighth state so far to sell flower from the singer-songwriter’s exclusive cannabis brand, Willie’s Reserve, which will be available at all Puff locations and several other dispensaries across the state.  Nelson has earned his name in the cannabis world after decades of support. Now at 90 years old, Nelson has attributed cannabis—a secret to a long life—as a main driving force in quitting cigarettes and alcohol, his lifetime battles with addiction. He’s ready to share…

[ad_1] An effort to decriminalize psychedelic substances was nixed after California’s governor vetoed the bill on grounds that the bill is missing dosing guidelines and other critical inclusions that he says would have made it safer. To the dismay of psychedelic advocates across the state, California Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed Senate Bill 58 on Oct 7, a bill that aimed to decriminalize the possession and personal use of several hallucinogens, including psilocybin mushrooms. Newsom announced that he vetoed SB-58 and 43 other bills in his announcement.  The bill would have allowed those 21 and older to possess psilocybin, and other…

[ad_1] A large cannabis operation with 22 buildings spanning over 11 acres must temporarily cease operations as hundreds of employees are fighting for their jobs, culminating in a chaotic Sacramento City Council meeting. Law enforcement officials ordered Natura to close on Oct. 2, a farm located on Elder Creek Road near Power Inn Road, citing fire code violations that make the Morrison Creek district buildings unsafe for its 450 employees. Nautra now must work with the city to bring its 22 buildings on its 11.5-acre site into code compliance. The decision to close down the operation led to about 40…

[ad_1] Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested on Thursday that mercenary Yevgeny Prigozhin’s fiery death in a plane that went down was due to cocaine and grenades, not a coordinated assassination in retaliation for his uprising, as many suspect. Prigozhin’s days were numbered the moment he led the Wagner Group—his paramilitary mercenary group—in a short but surprisingly robust uprising against Putin’s military last June. Prigozhin also openly criticized the Russian Defense Ministry, calling the invasion of the Ukraine as more or less a dumpster fire, and saying their reasons for the invasion were lies. On Aug. 23, an Embraer Legacy 600…