Articles from CannabisNewsWire

A new study has found that marijuana users with epilepsy typically spend fewer days in the hospital for epilepsy-related issues compared to people with epilepsy who didn’t use cannabis. Data from the study shows that epileptic individuals who used cannabis had an elevated epilepsy event capturability rate and reduced hospital stays.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCHR) has urged the global community to reconsider punitive and criminal approaches to drug policy, declaring that the “war on drugs” has been a profound failure.

As the cannabis industry takes stock of 2024 and looks ahead to potential opportunities in 2025, many marijuana experts believe interstate commerce and mergers & acquisitions will be major trends in cannabis next year. America’s marijuana industry has dealt with constant change right from its infancy and the sector is slated to experience even more major changes in 2025 amidst shifting consumer preferences, changing regulations, and a challenging business environment.

Flora (NASDAQ: FLGC) announced that its THC-infused beverage brand, Melo, will be available in store in select states beginning Friday Dec. 13, 2024. The beverage is poised to reach a broader audience with imminent placement in the retail networks of Total Wines & More (“Total”), one of the most recognized retailers of innovative and premium alcoholic and non-alcoholic products in the U.S.

A recent study published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry has explored how marijuana use might influence the epigenome in the human body . The epigenome, often described as a system of switches, regulates how genes are activated or deactivated, shaping bodily functions.

Marijuana farmers in the state of California revealed that the weather during this year’s growing season was favorable, which may improve yields and in turn, prices.

Marijuana industry leaders have countless opportunities to form connections and secure business deals at this year’s MJBizCon . MJBizCon 2024 kicked off on Tuesday at the Las Vegas Convention Center, starting with preshow sessions and running through Friday.

Last week, the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission unveiled the proposed regulatory framework for the social consumption of marijuana. The state legalized the social consumption of marijuana in 2016, via the same ballot measure that legalized the recreational use of the drug.

Data released by the Ohio Division of Cannabis Control shows that the price of marijuana has slowly been reducing since adult-use sales were launched this past summer. Dispensaries have reported slow-starts to the recreational program, indicating that vendor costs, confusion among consumers, and the state’s regulations may have contributed to this.

A recent study examining the use of prescribed opioids in Utah after medical cannabis legalization in the state highlights a significant reduction in opioid consumption among patients managing chronic pain. The findings also show a substantial decline in opioid prescription-related deaths since Utah authorized medical marijuana in 2018.

Mississippi’s medical cannabis businesses are prohibited from advertising on billboards or any other platforms due to marijuana’s federal status as an illegal substance, according to a recent decision by an appeals court.

AROYA by Addium, a leader in data-driven cultivation solutions, is unveiling groundbreaking innovations at the Marijuana Business Conference (“MJBizCon”), taking place in the Las Vegas Convention Center from Dec. 4–6, 2024. As a leading innovator in cannabis cultivation, AROYA is reimagining precision substrate irrigation and positioning a bold new brand tailored to the future.

In 2022, the Biden Administration initiated efforts to reevaluate how cannabis is classified under federal law, leading the DEA to start a formal rule-making procedure this year.

This week, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted long-awaited approval for a clinical trial exploring whether cannabis can help manage veterans’ post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

AROYA by Addium, an industry leader in cannabis cultivation technology, has unveiled IRRIGAIT(TM), a groundbreaking intent-based irrigation system designed to optimize the cultivation process for commercial growers. Available now through an exclusive early access program, IRRIGAIT offers true dynamic irrigation powered by real-time data and enables growers to achieve maximum genetic potential for each cultivar.

A recent study by researchers from St. Louis’ Washington University has found that teenagers who use marijuana experience more signs of psychosis spectrum and higher levels of distress due to the symptoms. This suggests that both self-medication and shared vulnerability play a role in linking marijuana use to an increased risk of psychosis.

Last week, a judge in Ramsey County stopped a lottery that would’ve awarded marijuana licenses in Minnesota. This is a huge setback for regulators in the state, who are prepping for legal sales come 2025.

Lexaria Bioscience (NASDAQ: LEXX, LEXXW) provided a strategic update on its efforts to leverage its DehydraTECH technology within the rapidly growing GLP-1 drug market, projected to surpass $100 billion annually. GLP-1 drugs, initially approved for diabetes and weight loss, are now being explored for broader applications, including cardiovascular, liver, and kidney diseases, as well as sleep apnea and neurodegenerative conditions. Lexaria is advancing research to enhance GLP-1 drug delivery to the brain, with data from its animal study on brain absorption expected by early 2025. The company aims to capitalize on the transformative potential of GLP-1 drugs by enabling expanded therapeutic benefits and improved efficacy through its proprietary technology.

Mike Hilgers, Nebraska’s Attorney General, assured the public on Tuesday that his office’s current investigations into two medical marijuana ballot measures will not affect his decision to certify the election results . Speaking at a press conference on an unrelated lawsuit, Hilgers stated that the election certification process would proceed independently of the marijuana-related legal disputes or the timing of any court ruling.

Public health experts have raised concerns that Trump’s pick for the Health and Human Services department may impede access to pharmaceuticals and instead, favor experimental therapies. Robert F. Kennedy Jr, who was selected by the incoming president recently, is an attorney with no background in government public health.

The journey toward cannabis legalization in the United States has been significant, with nearly half of the states now allowing its recreational use. However, the topic remains contentious and divisive, frequently leveraged by politicians. Some invoke fears about potential harm to oppose legalization, while others emphasize benefits such as increased revenue and reduced violent crime to advocate for it.

AROYA by Addium, the leader in precision cannabis cultivation technologies, has introduced an innovative automated dryback tracking feature within its platform. In cannabis cultivation, dryback refers to the reduction in moisture content within substrate between irrigation events. “For growers and operators, this groundbreaking addition simplifies one of the most labor-intensive tasks for professional cultivators—manual dryback cycle management—by leveraging advanced algorithms to ensure precise and efficient data tracking,” said Christian Hertel, VP of Marketing at AROYA.

CannabisNewsWire (“CNW”), a leading communications platform for the cannabis industry and part of the InvestorBrandNetwork (“IBN”), today announced its engagement as the official newswire for the 13th Annual MJBizCon . In its 13th year, MJBizCon has firmly established itself as a flagship event, attracting over 30,000 cannabis executives, entrepreneurs and professionals annually from around the globe. Set to take place at the Las Vegas Convention Center from Dec. 3–6, 2024, this year’s event promises to continue its legacy as the premier global cannabis business conference and tradeshow.

Attorney General Ken Paxton of the state of Texas is suing Dallas over its proposal that decriminalizes cannabis in the city. The suit names the defendants as the city council of Dallas; Kimberly Bizor Tolbert, the city’s interim manager; Mayor Eric Johnson; and Michael T. Igo , the city’s interim Chief of Police.

Millennials, the largest generational group in the U.S., are shaping spending habits across industries, including marijuana. According to a recent survey, this age group, ranging from 28 to 43 years old, has become a dominant force in the joint market, making up 45% of the $3 billion industry.