Florida cannabis campaign heats up (Newsletter: September 5, 2024)

Idaho marijuana effort for 2026; Cannabis pre-roll market report; Study: CBD actually increases THC high; Study: Cannabis users’ better COVID outcomes

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) is continuing to campaign against the marijuana legalization initiative on the November ballot despite former President Donald Trump’s support as well as new polling and a new ad from the campaign featuring a police officer who backs the reform.

Idaho marijuana activists are shifting strategy to work toward getting a noncommercial recreational legalization initiative on the 2026 ballot after failing to collect enough signatures to put medical cannabis measures before voters in recent cycles.

American marijuana consumers have spent more than $4.1 billion on pre-rolled joints over the past year and a half, according to a new industry report from Custom Cones USA and Headset.

A new study found that contrary to the popular belief that CBD alleviates the intoxicating effect of THC in marijuana, it “instead significantly increased subjective, psychomotor, cognitive, and autonomous effects of THC.”

• “In contrast to what is commonly hypothesized in (popular) literature, CBD did not reduce the adverse effects of THC.”

A study of COVID-19 patients found that marijuana users “had better outcomes and mortality compared with non-users.”

• “Cannabis use was associated with lower rates of severe COVID-19 infection, intubation, [acute respiratory distress syndrome], acute respiratory failure, severe sepsis with multiorgan failure, mortality, and shorter length of hospital stay.”

An Alabama judge expressed openness to amending a temporary restraining order on medical cannabis regulators to allow them to vet business licensing awards as litigation over the process continues.

/ FEDERAL

Former President Donald Trump discussed his support for the death penalty for people who sell illegal drugs, saying “we are becoming a drug-infested nation.”

The National Advisory Council on Drug Abuse will meet on September 11.

/ STATES

New Hampshire Republican gubernatorial candidates discussed their opposition to marijuana legalization during a debate.

Nebraska’s attorney general filed four more lawsuits against stores for allegedly selling illegal THC products.

A Florida senator endorsed the marijuana legalization initiative on the November ballot.

Pennsylvania representatives said they will soon introduce a bill to require more oversight of doctors who recommend medical cannabis.

The Michigan Court of Appeals upheld local officials’ decisions to reject petitions to qualify ballot initiatives to amend city charters to enact new marijuana rules.

Ohio regulators put a cap on marijuana dispensaries in Franklin, Hamilton and Cuyahoga counties.

Oregon regulators filed proposed changes to hemp rules.

New York’s Cannabis Control Board will meet on Tuesday.

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/ LOCAL

Jersey City, New Jersey’s mayor defended his decision to fire police officers for off-duty marijuana use in contravention of state law.

/ INTERNATIONAL

Ukraine’s Cabinet of Ministers approved medical cannabis transportation rules.

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A study found that “chronic cannabidiol administration mitigates excessive daytime sleepiness and fatigue in patients with primary hypertension.”

The University of Mississippi launched a new medical cannabis research program.

/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS

The National Cannabis Roundtable and the American Trade Association for Cannabis and Hemp hosted an exhibit at the U.S. Capitol complex about intoxicating hemp products.

/ BUSINESS

FundCanna launched a new cannabis industry payment solution.

Washington, D.C. businesses sold $4.5 million worth of medical cannabis in July.

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