Author: Keegan Williams

[ad_1] Many would argue that the legalization of recreational cannabis across all 50 states is essentially inevitable at this rate. Some states without recreational cannabis laws in place are practically surrounded by others that have introduced reform.  Pennsylvania, for example, just saw Gov. Josh Shapiro calling on state legislators to get a move on and legalize. “It’s time to catch up,” Shapiro said earlier this month, arguing that the longer the state goes without legalizing adult-use cannabis, the more Pennsylvania will miss out on revenue and economic opportunities. Idaho is also mostly surrounded by states that have legalized cannabis in…

[ad_1] The United States has seen immense progress surrounding recreational cannabis reform over recent years, and while a number of countries across the globe are currently working to catch up, so too are U.S. territories like the Virgin Islands. The Virgin Islands are located in the Caribbean and consist of main islands Saint Croix, Saint John, and Saint Thomas, along with more than 50 other minor islands. The islands legalized medical cannabis back in 2019, and cannabis possession of up to an ounce has been decriminalized. While lawmakers technically approved recreational legalization in January 2023, the actual implementation of the…

[ad_1] This year is shaping up to potentially be one of the most historic when it comes to cannabis, as U.S. advocates and consumers alike await the final decision from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) on whether it will reschedule cannabis from a Schedule I to Schedule III controlled substance. After the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) made its recommendation to the DEA in December 2023, the collective excitement for a final decision is palpable. There has even been a recent wave of rumors that the White House could make an announcement about the pending review in…

[ad_1] As New Jersey approaches the two-year anniversary of its recreational cannabis market launch this April and adult-use revenue continues to rise, regulators recently announced a new incentive for residents to secure their medical cards. The New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission (NJ-CRC) announced last week that signup and renewal for its new digital medical cards will be free. According to the commission, the new digital cards will begin rolling out in a few weeks and were introduced to prioritize patient accessibility and convenience. The digital cards can be presented on a mobile device, eliminating the risk of losing or damaging…

[ad_1] It’s already fairly well known that music festivals tend to come with plenty of illicit drug use. The activity is so common at festivals, and in dance scenes as a whole, that organizers and attendees alike are becoming increasingly more equipped to combat potential overdoses through a variety of measures. A new study published in the International Journal of Drug Policy underscores the impact of these harm reduction strategies and consciously incorporating them into events, looking at the amount of drug-related deaths at Australian music festivals, the common trends and what may have helped to prevent them. Moreover, the…

[ad_1] As Arizona lawmakers push for increased psilocybin research, some are looking to take things a step further by joining the ranks of other states that have ushered in legal psilocybin therapy. A group of nine bipartisan lawmakers in the state are sponsoring the newly introduced bill which would legalize psilocybin service centers, allowing those in Arizona to undergo therapy with the psychedelic substance under medical supervision, according to a Marijuana Moment report.  Arizona’s Proposed Therapeutic Psilocybin Program The bill would allow the Department of Human Services (DHS) to license these centers and would also establish the Arizona Psilocybin Advisory…

[ad_1] Police seized nearly five tons of methamphetamine in Fiji, equivalent to more than $2 billion in Fijian dollars (approximately $886.2 million USD). The first Jan. 14 raid resulted in seizure of more than three tons of meth at a warehouse on the western side of Fiji’s main island near the country’s main international airport, according to an OCCRP report. The second raid took place Jan. 20, with Fiji’s public prosecutor sanctioning charges against 13 people in connection to the raids, RNZ reports. Those accused have been charged with unlawful possession of illicit drugs, according to a statement from the…

[ad_1] If the Department of Health & Human Services’ (HHS) recommendation to reschedule cannabis on the federal Controlled Substances Act becomes a reality, it could make an impact on President Joe Biden’s favorability ahead of the upcoming 2024 presidential election. A new survey, conducted by Lake Research Partners, revealed a number of key findings surrounding registered voters and attitudes surrounding cannabis, namely that Biden could boost his favorability by 11% among younger voters should cannabis move from Schedule I to Schedule III. To gather the data, researchers engaged 900 likely voters through phone calls and text-to-online outreach. The survey includes…

[ad_1] It’s no secret that cannabis can work as an alternative to other longstanding medicinal options as it pertains to curbing and treating pain and related symptoms. A number of studies have already confirmed the efficacy of cannabis and its compounds as it relates to pain management, though a new study suggests that patients believe it may be even more effective than conventional treatments. A recent survey of German patients published in the journal Frontiers in Medicine explored experiences with cannabis products, with more than 200 anonymous participant perspectives. As with many previous studies, patients largely reported reductions in their…

[ad_1] Minnesota legalized adult-use cannabis in 2023 and medical cannabis back in 2014, and with the emergence of the pending market comes a new report documenting the cannabis habits among consumers in the state. While the report primarily looks at consumption and buying habits of Minnesotans, it also notably suggested that the state will need a minimum of 381 cannabis dispensaries across the state. This is because of state law, which requires one dispensary for every 12,500 Minnesotans. The report details the findings of a project commissioned by the Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management looking to better understand current attitudes…

[ad_1] After hitting a brief snag late last year, a bill approved by Ukraine’s unicameral legislature in December to legalize medical cannabis in the country appears to be back on track. The delay occurred when the opposing Batkivshchyna (Fatherland) party and its leader, Yulia Tymoshenko, announced the party’s intention to appeal to the Constitutional Court to cancel the legislative vote, citing that “the amendments to the bill were considered in a half-empty chamber.” Tymoshenko, who has been vocally opposed to the reform measure, also said that the bill would legalize “drug trafficking and the drug mafia” in Ukraine, while European…

[ad_1] While Arkansas approved its medical cannabis initiative back in 2016, there are still a number of limitations when compared to other states that have made similar moves.  For example, patients can only purchase up to 2.5 ounces of medical cannabis in a 14-day period, patients under 21 cannot consume herbal forms of cannabis, dispensaries cannot provide cannabis-infused foods or drinks with more than 10mg of THC and home cultivation is not allowed, among other limitations. With a newly proposed constitutional amendment, a cannabis industry group is looking to loosen some of the state’s current limitations. On Friday, Arkansans for…