Fairbanks, Alaska, welcomed its first two dispensaries on Oct. 31, 2016, and a third on Dec. 11, but demand for legal marijuana has outpaced supply, forcing all three of the city’s dispensaries to close temporarily.
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What is Driving New NJ Patients Signing Up for Medical Marijuana?
Patient advocates said the swift addition of these patients to the program demonstrates the pent-up demand for the anxiety-reducing and pain-relieving effects of the cannabis plant, as well as the need for the Christie administration to further expand the seven-year-old program.
Elizabeth Warren Wants to End Marijuana Banking Crisis
In the wake of a string of marijuana victories at the ballot box, U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Massachusetts, is leading the charge to ensure banking access for the legal marijuana industry.
Michigan Bill Allowing Landlords to Ban MMJ Reaches Governor
Governor Rick Snyder has just a few bills from last session left to consider. Among them is a bill that would allow landlords to include a provision in their leases preventing tenants from smoking or growing medical marijuana.
California’s Pot Crop Value Greater Than Other Top Farm Commodities Combined
California’s marijuana crop is its biggest agricultural commodity, outpacing the next five top commodities combined, according to a Dec. 29, 2016, article in the Orange County Register. Marijuana’s estimated value to California was $23.3 billion in 2015, the Register reported, basing its estimate on the number of seized plants.
Florida Patients Face Medical Marijuana Challenges
Medical Marijuana is legal in Florida as of Tuesday, but the change is not coming without challenges for patients.
Massachusetts Lawmakers Propose Medical Marijuana Changes
Now that recreational marijuana is legal in Massachusetts, state lawmakers are proposing several changes to the state medical marijuana program aimed at addressing issues that have arisen since the program began.
Study: Marijuana Users Have Lower Hospital Mortality Rates
According to a study published in the journal Cancer Medicine, hospitalized patients that use marijuana are less likely to suffer from heart disease or heart failure and are less likely to die from cancer.
Arkansas Fee to Grow Medical Marijuana is $100,000 a Year
Arkansans hoping to grow medical marijuana will have to pay an annual $100,000 fee to operate a cultivation facility, the Arkansas Medical Marijuana Commission decided Tuesday.
Vermont Governor Pardons 192 Misdemeanor Marijuana Convictions
On Jan. 3, 2016, Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin issued pardons to 192 individuals who had previously been convicted of misdemeanor marijuana possession.
Maine Governor Certifies Pot Vote But Urges Moratorium on Sales
Maine Gov. Paul LaPage on Dec. 31, 2016, signed a proclamation certifying the state’s narrow vote to approve adult-use of marijuana, according to a Jan. 3, 2017, article in the Portland Press Herald. LaPage confirmed the signature during a Jan. 3, 2017, radio show program during which he also urged Maine legislators to set a moratorium on marijuana sales.
Marijuana Advocates Hitting Trump’s Inauguration With 4,200 Joints
On Jan. 20, 2017, attendees of Donald Trump’s inauguration in Washington, D.C., may get free joints, or at least a contact high, at the presidential ceremony.
Olympic Athlete Challenging US Travel Ban for Past Marijuana Use
Olympic snowboarder Ross Rebagliati wants to visit the United States to promote Ross’ Gold, his Canadian cannabis brand; however, with Rebagliati having admitted past marijuana use, U.S. Border Agents have used a border policy to prevent him from entering the country.
Study: No Link Between Early-Onset Stroke and Marijuana Use
Marijuana is not likely to increase your risk of having a stroke. This is according to a new study published in the medical journal Stroke, which set out to find the link between early-onset stroke and the use of alcohol, tobacco and marijuana.
Medical MJ a Growing Biz in CT: Number of Patients Tops 15,000
The number of dispensaries in the state also has increased, from the original six to eight, with a ninth, which has met neighborhood resistance, planned in Milford. Much of the growth has come because “the doctors are looking at medical marijuana as a legit treatment option,” Pharmacist Nicholas Tamborrino said.
Blog Reviewer of Children’s Toys Receives Surprise Delivery of Marijuana
Pamela Marks of Valatie, N.Y., reviews children’s toys and clothes on a blog, so she frequently receives shipments from companies hoping for publicity. But opening a Dec. 29, 2016, delivery, expecting to find items from a California toy company, Marks found not toys, but instead seven pounds of marijuana, according to a report posted at CBS6Albany.com.
Veterans Affairs Canada Outs Medical Marijuana Users in Mail
On Dec. 30, 2016, Canadian Armed Forces veterans began reporting a privacy breach by Veterans Affairs Canada, as the VAC sent letters to veterans in the federal medical marijuana program with “RE: Cannabis for Medical Purposes” visible in the envelope window.
Florida Doctors Ready to Prescribe Medical Marijuana
A large group of Florida doctors are going through the certification process to prescribe medical marijuana to patients, just days before legalization goes through.
Israeli University Opens First Academic Course on Medical Cannabis
The course is designed for students in the field of medical administration, after they have completed one year of study at least.
New Year’s Prankster Changes Hollywood Sign to ‘Hollyweed’
On Jan. 1, 2017, residents of Los Angeles woke up to find that one of their most treasured landmarks had become the victim of a New Year’s prank. An unknown prankster scaled Mount Lee in the New Year’s early hours and changed the city’s famous Hollywood sign to “Hollyweed.”
Idaho Moms For Marijuana Protester Cited in State Capital
Serra Frank was protesting in Boise, Idaho, with Idaho Moms for Marijuana during the second annual New Year’s Smoke Out Protest on Jan. 1, 2016. At 4:20 p.m., she was cited for misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance and possession of paraphernalia, and gave her marijuana to the police, according to Jan. 1, 2016 articles in local media.
Indiana Man Planning Long Walk to State Capitol to Lobby for MMJ
How far are you willing to go to lobby for medical marijuana? For one Indiana man, the answer is hundreds of miles.
Budding Regulation in One of California’s Marijuana Meccas
As more states move to legalize pot, Humboldt County, California, an epicenter of the underground marijuana industry, has begun a new, bold experiment to bring growers out of the shadows and regulate the growth, sale and environmental impact of cannabis.
California Lawmakers Introduce Bill to Ban Marijuana Use While Driving
On Dec. 29, 2016, California State Sen. Jerry Hill and Assemblymember Evan Low announced the introduction of Senate Bill 65 to ban marijuana use while driving.
Marijuana Deliveries Are Expected to Spike on New Year’s
Weed deliveries have been in high demand throughout the holidays. On Dec. 23, pot deliveries jumped by 23% from the average on Fridays throughout the year, and they bumped up by 6% on Christmas Eve.
Grower Hit by First Reported Violent Crime at a Licensed Oregon Pot Farm
When four masked robbers assaulted and tied-up James Bowman in the early hours of Dec. 16, 2016, they committed the first reported violent crime at a licensed Oregon marijuana farm. The robbery underscores a complaint about law enforcement among licensed marijuana farmers, who have experienced thefts, robberies and break-ins, if not any reported violent crimes.
Nevada State Medical Marijuana Portal Compromised in Cyber Attack
On Wednesday, the Nevada State Medical Marijuana Program became aware that application information about individuals with medical marijuana agent cards, such as employees and owners of medical marijuana establishments, has been disclosed.
Lawmakers in Massachusetts Vote to Delay Retail Marijuana Sales
On Dec. 28, 2016, Massachusetts lawmakers voted to pass S.2524, a bill that delays the retail sales of recreational marijuana by six months. Approved during an informal session, the bill’s swift and subtle passage came as a disappointment to many.
The Global Experiment of Marijuana Legalization
Marijuana is the most widely cultivated, produced and consumed drug worldwide, and more than 20 countries worldwide are trialing legislation regarding access to marijuana and exploring possible benefits.
Terra Tech Opening Fourth Marijuana Dispensary in Nevada
On Dec. 29, 2016, Terra Tech (OTCQX:TRTC), a marijuana-focused agriculture company, announced that it is opening a Blüm dispensary in Reno, Nevada, the company’s fourth medical marijuana dispensary in the state, on Jan. 2, 2017.
Cases of Rare Pot-Related Illness Nearly Double at Two Colorado Hospitals
It sounds like a case from an episode of the television medical drama “House” — some long-term, heavy users of marijuana experience abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. They find relief only by taking hot showers or baths and quitting their marijuana use. But cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome does not portray a disease on television. It is a real disease, and Colorado hospitals are seeing more of it.
Colorado MED Launches Random Testing Program
On Dec. 28, 2016, the Colorado Marijuana Enforcement Division issued an industry-wide bulletin, announcing the roll-out of its random testing program for licensed marijuana businesses.
NYSSCPA Marijuana Symposium: Neil Kaufman Talks Industry
Corporate cannabis lawyer Neil Kaufman talks about the challenges and prospects for CPAs who get involved in New York’s medical marijuana industry in its early stages.
Medical Marijuana Bills Pre-Filed in South Carolina
In South Carolina, Rep. Todd Rutherford has pre-filed a bill that would legalize medical marijuana in the state. Dubbed the Put Patients First Act, the bill would allow qualified patients to possess up to two ounces of medical marijuana as well grow up to six plants.
Montana Department of Health Seeing Big Jump in MMJ Applications
State health leaders say they have been keeping up with a big jump in applications for new or updated medical marijuana cards.
Arkansas Establishes $15K Fee for Cannabis Cultivation Application
On Dec. 27, 2016, the Arkansas Medical Marijuana Commission approved a $15,000 fee per cultivation application, with rejected applications to be refunded half of the application fee.
Since Legalization in Washington State, Fewer Teens Perceive Pot as Harmful
A new study released in JAMA Pediatrics reveals younger teenagers in Washington state have a decreased perception of marijuana’s harmfulness and an increased likelihood of use, mirroring national trends. “Across the country there has been a decreased perception of risk and an increase in marijuana use among adolescents,” Magdalena Cerda, lead author of the study, said.
Marijuana Changes in Oregon
Marijuana dispensaries across Oregon are preparing for a new law going into effect this weekend.
Study: More Australians Support Legalization Than Oppose It
For the first time in their nation’s history, more Australians support the legalization of recreational than oppose it. This is according to The Australian Election Study, a multi-decade study conducted by Australian National University.
US Path on Legal Marijuana Forces Rethink in Mexico
More are questioning the effectiveness of the government’s protracted battle against drug cartels; small steps to allow medical marijuana.
Rhode Island Governor Estimates Legalization Could Generate $15M
Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo recently estimated that if The Ocean State legalizes recreational marijuana, it could generate between $10 to $15 million in revenue during its first year.
New York Hospitals Stuck Between State And Federal Laws on Medical Marijuana
The state of New York allows five companies to dispense medical marijuana to qualified patients, but most hospitals receive federal funds, so they cannot allow patients to use pot medicinally, according to an article in the Times Herald-Record of Middletown, N.Y. While several states have approved marijuana for medical or adult use, it remains illegal under federal law.
Colorado MMJ Caregivers Face New Grow Limits in 2017
Medical marijuana caregivers are facing a new limit in the number of plants they’ll be able to grow in 2017.
Maryland Officials Warn Patients of Medical Marijuana Scammers
As Maryland prepares to implement its medical marijuana program over the next several months, state officials are warning residents to be on the look out for scammers attempting to turn a profit.
Here Are the Top 2017 Predictions for the Marijuana Industry
Now, a new year is almost here and a new administration for the cannabis industry to navigate. It’s time to look ahead and see what’s in store for the cannabis industry in 2017.
Bill Maher on Marijuana During Trump: ‘Don’t Piss Off Your Old Dealer’
Matthew Segal, editor in chief of ATTN:, recently sat down with comedian and talk-show host Bill Maher for an interview. Segal asked, “Are you bullish on the future of marijuana now?” Maher said, “I wasn’t even a year ago.” He said people have tried to get him to invest in marijuana companies or to put his name on products, but he recalled a friend who went to jail on marijuana-related charges in 2000.
Florida Authorizes CHT Medical to Distribute Medical Marijuana
On Dec. 21, 2016, CHT Medical, a subsidiary of Chestnut Hill Tree Farm and one of the five original nurseries licensed to cultivate non-euphoric medical marijuana in Florida, announced that it had received state authorization to begin processing and distributing medical marijuana.
Toronto Dispensary Fails to Report Alleged Armed Robbery
Toronto police are investigating an alleged armed robbery at the medical marijuana dispensary Canna Clinic on Ossington Avenue which the shop’s owners never reported.
Michigan Court of Appeals Overturns MMJ Transport Law
On Dec. 20, 2016, the Michigan Court of Appeals ruled that the state’s medical marijuana act takes precedent over a law that restricts how patients can transport medical marijuana. The ruling is the result of a 2014 case where medical marijuana patient Callen Latz was arrested for improperly transporting marijuana.
Retailers Reporting Strong Marijuana Sales for the Holidays
Santa is stuffing stockings with a little extra green this holiday season: marijuana.