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Cannabis Headlines

December 2022

November 2022

October 2022

September 2022

  • More Americans smoke cannabis than cigarettes: According to new survey data from Gallup, more Americans smoke cannabis than cigarettes for the first time in their survey reporting history. However, Americans are still more likely to drink alcohol than to smoke either cannabis or cigarettes.
  • Former NBA star partners with the NBPA to launch CBD products: Former NBA star Al Harrington has partnered with the National Basketball Players Association to launch a “performance-based CBD wellness brand” called “Re+Play.” The products will be available for purchase through Walmart and Amazon.
  • Community College of Denver to cannabis career certificates: In partnership with the cannabis education company Green Flower, the Community College of Denver will now offer certificate programs for dispensary associates, manufacturing agents, and cultivation technicians. 
  • Is TikTok impeding cannabis education?: According to an editorial piece on The GrowthOp, TikTok’s anti-cannabis policies prevent individuals from sharing educational content on cannabis. 

August 2022

  • National Institutes of Health Expresses Interest in Researching Minor Cannabinoids & Terpenes: The National Institutes of Health has issued a Notice of Special Interest “to promote mechanistic research of therapeutic benefits of minor cannabinoids and terpenes in the cannabis plant.” The NOSI defines minor cannabinoids as “any and all cannabinoids from the cannabis plant other than Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol.”
  • Big Tobacco Company Behind Marlboro Files Several Cannabis Patents: Altria — the parent company of Marlboro — has filed several patents with the University of Virginia related to terpene production in plants such as cannabis and tobacco. Altria was also the first big tobacco company that registered to lobby on cannabis in the U.S. in 2019.
  • New Cannabis Research Facility to Open in Oklahoma: A new cannabis research facility is opening in Tulsa, OK to study the relationship between light, genetics, and the plants’ chemical profiles. 
  • The NFL & Ayahuasca: The NFL said Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ use of ayahuasca at a retreat in Peru during the off season is not a violation of the NFL’s drug policy.

July 2022

June 2022

  • The push for a federal medical cannabis patient registry: Recently, the National Institute on Drug Abuse expressed interest in establishing a federal register of medical marijuana patients throughout the country. Specifically, NIDA wants to collect data on what conditions patients are using cannabis for, what products they’re using and how often, as well as their medical outcomes after using cannabis. 
  • The number of cannabis patients nationwide has quadrupled: A new study in the Annals of Internal Medicine reported the number of medical cannabis patients in the United States quadrupled from 678,000 to 2.97 million between 2016 and 2020. 
  • Steep rise in cannabis research over the last 20 years: Although cannabis research has been an ongoing topic for several decades, a new study reported that cannabis research has particularly trended upwards over the last 20 years due to significant increases in funding. In 2000, funding for cannabis research was below $30.2 million in the United States. By 2018, cannabis research funds grew to over $143 million.
  • Small Colorado town considers renaming itself to “Kush”: In this tiny town of just 120 residents, an unexpected cannabis paradise emerged. Moffat, CO, has one of the highest concentrations of cannabis producers in the state. To celebrate, they’re considering changing the town’s name to “Kush.” Although not everyone is on board with the idea, Mayor Cassandra Foxx says she would vote for the name change.

May 2022

  • FDA Issues a warning about Delta-8 products: Last week, the FDA published a warning letter to the company Delta 8 Hemp. Within the letter, the FDA alleges that Delta 8 Hemp may be in violation of marketing “Unapproved New Human Drugs,” making bold health claims about their products, selling “Misbranded Human Drugs,” and using non-FDA approved food additives in their gummies. 
  • The National Cancer Institute promotes funding opportunities for cannabis research: The National Cancer Institute recently published a Notice of Special Interest to promote research on how cannabis may affect cancer biology, treatment, management, and resistance. Researchers focused on these areas are invited to apply for grants to help support their studies on cannabis and cancer mechanisms this summer and fall. The NOSI will remain in effect with the potential for additional funding opportunities through May 8, 2027.
  • UChicago study finds cannabis has different behavioral effects on adolescents: A recent UChicago study found that adolescents don’t “feel higher” than adults while using cannabis, but they exhibit more impairment when it comes to tasks that require focus and attention after using THC. Another study by UChicago also examined how THC affects women differently then men. 
  • DoorDash to experiment with cannabis pick up in Canada: DoorDash has partnered with leading Canadian cannabis retailer Superette to experiment with cannabis pick up orders placed through the DoorDash app in Toronto, Canada. Customers will only be able to place an order if they are 19 years or older. 
  • Thai government to distribute one million free cannabis plants: Thai Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul announced that the Thai government will distribute one million cannabis plants to households across the country, CNN reported.
  • Kentucky Governor authorizes the first cannabis research center in the state: Gov. Andy Beshear (D-KY) has just authorized the University of Kentucky to establish a cannabis research center. He is also still exploring whether he has the authority to “single-handedly legalize medical cannabis” in Kentucky. 
  • The Health Benefits of Hemp — For Cattle: A study published by Kansas University found feeding hemp to cattle beneficial to their wellbeing. According to the study, hemp reduces the cattle’s stress and increases the amount of time they spend resting. 
  • Illinois cannabis license lottery supercase may drag into 2023: Cook County Circuit Court Judge Cecilia Gamrath told the plaintiffs of the Illinois cannabis license lottery supercase their cases may not conclude until 2023, GrownIn reports. For context, this lawsuit has been ongoing since the first rounds of cannabis license lotteries were held in Illinois last summer. 
  • Greece will soon sell medical cannabis at pharmacies: As the green wave makes its way across the sea to Europe, Greece will begin selling medical cannabis in pharmacies this year. Tourists will also be able to purchase medical cannabis, so long as they have a prescription from a doctor. Recreational cannabis use, however, remains illegal in Greece.

April 2022

  • New York issues its first adult-use cannabis grow licenses to hemp farmers: Earlier this month, New York issued its first adult-use cannabis grow licenses to 52 hemp farmers in the state. This license will allow them to grow up to one acre of cannabis and send it to a processor to create the first batches of recreational cannabis products in New York. 
  • Rhode Island laboratories sue the DEA: Several laboratories in Rhode Island are suing the DEA for allegedly “dragging their feet” on the pharmaceutical cannabis research licensing process. The companies allege these delays have brought their clinical research on cannabis soft gels to a standstill. 
  • Researchers have developed a new sliding scale to rank the psychological effects of cannabis: Psychological researchers have developed a sliding scale for study participants to rate the psychological effects elicited by using cannabis. The scale ranges from four anchor points, which include “relaxed,” “calm/chill,” “high,” and “stoned/baked.” The new system was then tested during a 14-day study with 161 participants, which concluded that cannabis intake levels correlated with the four anchor points. 
  • Florida to hold a hemp-themed scholarship contest: The Florida Department of Agriculture is holding a $1,000 scholarship contest for 4th through 12th grade students who submit essays about inventing new, sustainable hemp-made products. Nine winners will be selected across three categories — grades 4-5, 6-8, and 9-12. Essay submissions will close on May 20, 2022. 
  • Virginia governor seeks to ban delta-8 THC products: Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R-VA) wants to ban hemp-derived delta-8 THC products because they’re not federally regulated, a local Virginia news station reported.
  • DEA says cannabis seeds “meet the definition of ‘hemp’”: Despite the green wave of cannabis legalization that has swept over the U.S. in the last decade, cannabis remains federally illegal. However, the DEA recently said that cannabis seeds technically meet the legal definition of hemp since the seeds themselves generally don’t contain THC. 
  • Illinois officials say they have simplified cannabis dispensary license applications: According to the Chicago Tribune, those who are interested in establishing a cannabis dispensary in Illinois will now be able to do so through a “simple online form” and a $250 fee. Those who are approved will be entered into a new cannabis license lottery, where 55 licenses will be awarded later this year. 
  • Oklahoma may be next to legalize recreational cannabis: Right now, there are two State Questions poised at legalizing recreational cannabis in Oklahoma — State Question 820 and State Question 819. The biggest difference is one is a statutory amendment, while the other is a constitutional amendment. If SQ819 passes, the state could have recreational cannabis in just two months. But if SQ820 passes, it could take up to four years to implement in the state.
  • The latest scoop on 4/20 data and trends: As per the most recent Brightfield market report, 40 percent of cannabis users say they use more products than usual on 4/20. Female cannabis consumers are also more likely to celebrate 4/20.
  • U.S. Senate passes legislation to expand cannabis research: The U.S. Senate recently passed the Cannabidiol and Marihuana Research Expansion Act, which would significantly expand research on cannabidiol and other cannabinoids with therapeutic potential. It now awaits further decision in the House. 
  • The U.S. House of Representatives released a 500-page report on the MORE Act: The U.S. House of Representatives just released a nearly 500-page cannabis report. The report includes an overview of the MORE Act legislation, the consequences of cannabis-related social injustices, and the barriers faced by states with legal cannabis programs. 
  • Illinois may have to hold a corrective cannabis license lottery: Illinois Judge ​​Cecilia Gamrath suggested the 185 license lottery winners whose licenses are currently held up in court should leave their fate to a corrective cannabis lottery. Judge Gamrath also said the decision regarding the original winners should remain contingent upon another court case, WAH Group LLC v. Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. 
  • Melatonin, CBD, and lavender lead the way in the latest sleep trends: In the latest sleep trends report by Evergi, consumers are reportedly turning to melatonin, CBD, and lavender as naturalistic sleep aids. 
  • High Times hosts the Cannabis Cup People’s Choice Awards: High Times magazine is accepting submissions for the Cannabis Cup People’s Choice Awards in Detroit, MI. According to a local news channel, 3,300 backpacks full of cannabis were being prepared for the competition. At the People’s Choice Awards, anyone can register to judge who will take home the cup for their cannabis.

March 2022

  • The craft cannabis growers have won in Illinois: Illinois Sangamon County Judge Gail Noll lifted an order that prevented the state from awarding 60 craft cannabis grow licenses. Judge Noll also restored the applications of those who had sued for being disqualified by the Illinois Department of Agriculture. This is a major win, considering these craft grow licenses had been in court limbo since December 2021. Still, 185 other cannabis dispensary licenses have remained held up in court since last summer.
  • Alabama legislator wants all women to provide a negative pregnancy test before purchasing cannabis: If you’re a woman between the ages of 25 to 50 years old who wants to purchase cannabis in Alabama, you might want to start scheduling some pregnancy tests. A bill was introduced in the AL Senate last week that would require all women of child-bearing age to provide a negative pregnancy test within 48 hours of each cannabis purchase. Furthermore, the tests would have to be done by her physician or ordered from a certified medical lab — so your over-the-counter pregnancy tests simply wouldn’t cut it. 
  • Amid its upcoming recreational market, New York advocates prioritize growing green: To reduce the carbon footprint of the forthcoming cannabis grow operations in New York, advocates are promoting more sustainable farming options, GrownIn reports. These options include using renewable energy and prioritizing outdoor growing facilities. Ultimately, more cultivators growing cannabis outdoors means less stress on the NY power grid.
  • Planet 13 to open its first dispensary in Florida: Planet 13 — who owns the world’s largest dispensary in Las Vegas — has just announced its plans to open a dispensary in Jacksonville, FL. The company has not announced its official grand opening date yet. However, the dispensary will be located in South Jacksonville on a “busy retail corridor” next to a Walmart Superstore near St. John’s River. 
  • New Mexico to launch its recreational market next week: New Mexico will kick off its adult-use cannabis market next Friday, April 1, 2022. 
  • New survey says 1 in 3 U.S. adults have tried CBD: According to a recent survey by Morning Consult, 33 percent of U.S. adults have tried CBD products. Millennials represent the largest share of adults who have tried CBD, and they express similar interest levels in THC-infused products. All adults in the survey were most eager to try CBD gummies and other CBD-infused food items. 
  • 4/20 purchasing trends: With the infamous “weed holiday” 4/20 just around the corner, Headset has released a new report on 4/20 consumer purchasing trends. For the last two years, cannabis beverages have reigned supreme as the winners of the most significant 4/20 sales increases. Concentrates, flower, edibles, and pre-rolls also performed very well on 4/20 last year.
  • New York hemp growers are now eligible to apply for licenses to grow recreational cannabis: Hemp growers are now eligible to apply online for licenses to grow adult-use cannabis in New York. Applicants must have been authorized to grow hemp for at least two years as of December 31, 2021, and also must pay a one-time $2,000 application fee. The license would remain valid until January 1, 2023. 
  • U.S. Department of Transportation seeks to amend drug testing procedures: In a recent notice, the U.S. DOT proposed amending the drug testing procedures to allow for salivary drug testing. While traces of cannabis can remain in urine for three to 67 days, it’s only traceable in saliva for up to 24 hours. This policy change could help decrease the number of false positives during a cannabis drug screening.
  • Rider University launches a cannabis certificate program: Rider University just announced its upcoming cannabis certificate program, which will officially launch during the Fall 2022 semester. The cannabis studies program is entirely online and allows students to explore the “biological, legal, ethical, business and practical aspects of the industry.”
  • Jones Soda launches “Mary Jones” cannabis-infused beverage line: The Jones Soda brand is launching a line of cannabis-infused sodas, gummies, and syrups under the new brand name, “Mary Jones.” “If we crack it in California, we’re going to do gangbusters as we go through the Midwest and East,” said Jones Soda Marketing Chief Bohb Blair.

Celebrating Women in Cannabis Science

In honor of Women’s History Month, let’s take a moment to highlight the research and achievements of women who are furthering our scientific understanding of cannabis.

  • Dr. Daniela Vergara: Daniela Vergara, Ph.D., has done extensive research on cannabis biology and genetics over the last several years. Currently, she is an Emerging Crop Specialist for Cornell University’s Harvest New York team. She is also the founder of the Agricultural Genomics Foundation, a non-profit organization focused on the study of Cannabis and other crops with industrial and medical value. Dr. Vergara’s body of published research includes studies on the chemical and genomic diversity of commercial cannabis strains. Her research paves the way for a better understanding of cannabis at the genetic level, which is crucial for learning the science behind cannabis’ properties. 
  • Dr. Anna Schwabe: Anna Schwabe, Ph.D., is a researcher and educator who specializes in cannabis genetics and biology. She also serves as an Advisory Board Member for the Agricultural Genomics Foundation. Dr. Schwabe’s body of published research includes studies that assess the genetic structure and chemotype of commercial and federal grade cannabis. Her research is vital for better understanding how genes affect the cannabinoid and terpene profiles of cannabis plants.
  • Cannabis consumers in Oregon could receive up to $200 from a class action settlement: Oregon consumers over the age of 21 who purchased certain Select brand vape products between August 15, 2018 and November 22, 2019 are entitled to up to $200 from a class action settlement. All applicants must submit their claims by April 29, 2022. 
  • Illinois Workplace Act to protect cannabis consumers: The Illinois House of Representatives recently passed the Right to Privacy in the Workplace Act (H.B. 4116), which prevents employers from hiring or firing employees who test positive for cannabis use. However, this bill only protects consumers who test positive for less than the Illinois DUI limit of 5 nanograms of THC per milliliter of blood (or 10ng of THC per ml of saliva or urine). The bill now awaits a further decision by the Illinois Senate. 
  • Kentucky Senate seeks to ban hemp-derived delta-8 THC: A Kentucky Senate committee is pushing forward legislation that would ban delta-8 THC derived from hemp for its intoxicating effects, a local news station reports. 
  • Ohio cannabis license awards will likely drag on for “months”: Although Ohio announced the 73 winners of the state’s second cannabis license lottery, the review process could take up to several months, delaying the awardees from utilizing their licenses in the state.  
  • U.S. cannabis sales to grow another 20% in 2022: The most recent cannabis market forecast from BDSA says the industry will grow by another 20 percent in the U.S., topping $28 billion this year. BDSA also predicts U.S. cannabis sales will reach $46 billion by 2026. 
  • The efficacy of treating nausea with cannabis: In a recent study, 96 percent of the participants experienced nausea relief within one hour of using cannabis. The participants reported that flower, concentrates, high THC, and sativa or hybrid strains provided the most effective nausea relief. 
  • USDA invites hemp growers to apply for the Value-Added Grant Program: The USDA recently began accepting applications for the Value-Added Grant Program, which has over $19.75 million available in total funds to distribute among eligible applicants. Hemp growers with valid licenses are among the eligible parties who can receive funding through this grant, as well. All applications must be submitted to the USDA no later than May 2, 2022. 
  • The CBD market, as of Q1 2022: Charlotte’s Web, SUNMED, Medterra, CBD American Shaman, and cbdMD are still dominating the CBD market as of the first quarter of 2022, Brightfield Group says. 
  • Arkansas cannabis sales exceed $20 million in January 2022: According to a CBS local news report, Arkansas cannabis sales exceeded $20 million in January. Over 3,731 pounds of cannabis were sold across the 37 operational dispensaries in the state. 
  • Cannabis & IBD: A review in the Medical Cannabis & Cannabinoids Journal recently concluded, “Cannabis and its derivatives have great therapeutic potential in the setting of [inflammatory bowel disease], particularly as potential treatments for associated frequent and problematic symptoms, including abdominal pain, and pain-modifying issues such as diarrhea and nausea… Future research considerations should focus more specifically on derivatives of Cannabis and elements of the endocannabinoid signaling system.”
  • The USDA evaluates hemp as an $824 million industry: In the recent National Hemp Report, the USDA said industrial hemp had a value of at least $824 million in 2021.
  • South Dakota Senate votes to legalize recreational cannabis: With an 18 to 17 vote, South Dakota Senate just passed a bill (SB3) that would legalize recreational cannabis sales and expunge low-level cannabis offenses. SB3’s fate now rests in the hands of the South Dakota House of Representatives. 
  • Is Oklahoma growing too much cannabis?: With over 8,000 registered cannabis growers in the state, the Oklahoma Legislative Office of Financial Transparency has published a report suggesting it’s time to develop a more comprehensive framework for its cannabis industry. Despite having the most licensed cannabis growers nationwide, approximately 40 percent of them are tax delinquent in Oklahoma, the report says. LOFT’s report emphasizes the state’s need to develop a plan to combat such delinquencies. Additionally, LOFT says it’s important to determine how much it’ll cost to effectively regulate the Oklahoma medical cannabis industry. 
  • Hawaii Senate seeks to legalize medical cannabis for all senior citizens: With a 3-0 vote, the Hawaii Senate recently recommended expanding access to medical cannabis for all senior citizens ages 65 and up, regardless of any pre-existing health conditions. 
  • How much illegal cannabis is being brought into the U.S.?: In the first quarter of this year alone, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency says it has already seized over 36,000 pounds of illegal cannabis, GrownIn reports. 
  • What are the most popular cannabis products in the U.S. & Canada?: According to the most recent Headset report, total flower sales are still outperforming all other sectors of the cannabis industry as of 2021. However, the fastest growing sectors of the cannabis industry in the U.S. are the beverage, pre-roll, capsules, and vape pen markets. 
  • Genetically modified hemp: A recent Frontiers in Genome Editing Journal study highlights the “challenges and opportunities” facing the hemp genome editing space. As the study states, “[The] recent availability of high-quality Cannabis genome sequences from several strains have paved the way for improving the production of valuable bioactive molecules for the welfare of humankind and the environment.”
  • Treating migraines with cannabis: A recent Headache Journal review assessed cannabis’ potential to treat migraines. “Modulation of the metabolic pathways of the endocannabinoid system may be a basis for new migraine treatments,” the study says. “The multiplicity of options and the wealth of data already obtained in animal models underscore the importance of further advancing research in this area.”

February 2022

  • Apple advocates for cannabis policy reform: According to Forbes, Apple is following in Amazon’s footsteps as yet another large corporation expressing support for legal cannabis. Unlike Amazon, Uber, and the NFL, Apple didn’t release any major announcements regarding cannabis. Instead, their support is expressed through App Store policy changes that were made over the summer to explicitly allow legal cannabis sale and delivery apps on the platform. “When political leaders and Fortune 100 companies begin modifying policies and behavior to accommodate something that has been seen as fringe, elicit, or otherwise illegal, the hearts and minds of Americans start to change,” the Forbes article says. 
  • New York Senate passes conditional cannabis licenses for hemp growers: In an effort to ensure timely establishment of New York’s adult-use cannabis industry, the NY Senate just passed a bill that would allow licensed and established hemp growers to “minimally process and distribute cannabis products” until June 2023. The fate of the bill now lies in the hands of the House.
  • CBD & melatonin for better sleep: A recent study in the Clinical Therapeutics journal evaluated the efficacy of CBD and melatonin (the sleep hormone) in patients with sleep disorders. By the end of the three-month study, the 20 participants expressed reductions in anxiety, panic, paranoia, depression, and pain. “These data suggest that the formula CBD-melatonin could be competitive with the classic hypnotic synthetic drugs,” the study concludes.
  • Leafly stock goes live on NASDAQ: Leafly, one of the largest online cannabis marketplaces, just went live on the NASDAQ Stock Market under the symbol “LFLY” last week. 
  • Mississippi legalizes medical cannabis: Gov. Tate Reeves (R-MS) recently signed Senate Bill 2095 into legislation, officially legalizing medical cannabis in the state. Mississippi will begin accepting patient applications in June 2022. 
  • Pennsylvania faces yet another major, costly product recall: Following the last cannabis vape recall that took place in November 2021, the Pennsylvania Department of Health has recalled another 18-pages worth of vape products for containing non FDA approved ingredients. The recall includes products from some of the largest multistate operators in PA, including Select, Curaleaf, Cresco, and GTI.
  • Pepsi’s new hemp-infused drink: Under their Rockstar Energy brand, PepsiCo has released a new hemp-infused beverage to try drawing in a “younger female audience,” CNBC reports. While the new energy drinks are hemp seed infused, they do not contain CBD or any other cannabinoids. 
  • NFL to dedicate $1 million toward research on cannabinoids: The NFL — which had historically punished players for cannabis use prior to 2020 — just announced they will award $1 million to two teams of medical researchers to evaluate the effects of cannabinoids for pain management and neuroprotection from concussion among elite football players. 
  • Washington state representatives pass protections for medical cannabis patients: A bill protecting medical cannabis patients from prosecution, arrest, and having their homegrown plants seized just passed in the Washington state House of Representatives with a 72-24 vote. The bill now rests in the Senate’s hands. 
  • Cannabis use may reduce opioid intake: A study on 186 patients who were certified for medical cannabis and took prescription opioids found the amount of opioids consumed significantly decreased over the course of three to nine months. Pain and disability scores also improved by the end of the study.