Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

Exciting Cannabis Updates for Alabama, New York, New Mexico, Arizona, and Morocco

The cannabis revolution has arrived.
The cannabis revolution has arrived.
Image by TinaKru from Pixabay

This article was originally published by Jelena Martinovic at Benzinga on Feb 25, 2021, and appears here with permission.

Alabama Legalizes Medical Marijuana

Alabama has legalized medical marijuana.


The state’s Senate approved the bill, sponsored by Sen. Tim Melson, in a 21-8 vote on Wednesday.

The bill was approved by the state’s Senate committee earlier this month and sent to the full floor for review.

The legislation allows people with qualifying conditions to utilize cannabis for therapeutic reasons.

Upon establishing Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission, which will count 11 members, patients will be free to qualify for the program. In addition, the regulatory body will oversee licensing.

Patients suffering from anxiety, sleep disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, and a dozen more conditions will be eligible to enter the program.

Each patient is allowed to buy and possess up to “70 daily dosages of medical cannabis,” Marijuana Moment writes.

In addition, the bill proposes a 9% gross proceeds tax on medical cannabis sales.

Raw cannabis, as well as smoking, vaping, and edibles, are forbidden.

New York To Legalize Marijuana, Hearing  Addresses Budget Implications

New York State's policymakers held the first public hearing of the year on proposals that support the cause on Tuesday.

Marijuana Moment reports that the hearing — held in a joint session with members of the Senate Finance Committee and Assembly Ways & Means Committee — was centered around budget implications.

The legislators had a chance to hear reactions to Gov. Andrew Cuomo's marijuana legalization plan, which he recently amended to address issues such as social equity financing, cannabis delivery services and felony penalties for illicit sales.

Cuomo recently proposed the legalization of recreational cannabis during his State of the State address.

The two panelists, NY Cannabis Growers and Processors Association President Allan Gandelman and NY Medical Cannabis Industry Association President Ngiste Abebe, who favored the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act highlighted that tax structure and social equity provisions are superior to Cuomo's plan.

"We deeply appreciate the possibilities offered in the MRTA," Gandelman noted, adding that New York will need to "balance issues involving taxes, licensing and speed to market."

The third panelist was their opponent, Kevin Sabet of the prohibitionist group Smart Approaches to Marijuana. 

New Mexico Committee Approves Marijuana Legalization Bill

New Mexico has made another step toward legalizing marijuana.

The state's Taxation and Revenue Committee gave a green light for the legislation supporting the cause,  just a week following the Health & Human Services Committee's approval.

According to Marijuana Moment, the bill sponsored by Rep. Javier Martinez was voted on Wednesday in an 8-4 vote.

The proposal allows adults 21 and older to possess "at least" two ounces of cannabis and cultivate up to six mature and six immature plants.

It's also poised to establish a system of regulated and taxed cannabis sales.

The legislation is now headed to the full floor for review.

Martinez highlighted that the bill would "protect" and "enhance" the state's medical cannabis program.

"We've got to ensure that whatever legalization framework we lead with is rooted in values of equity and justice," he added.

Earlier this month, New Mexico Senate and House introduced two cannabis legalization bills.

Emily Kaltenbach, Senior Director for Resident States and New Mexico for the Drug Policy Alliance, questioned the social justice aspect of both legislations, pointing out that "the Senate version fails to include comprehensive social justice and equity provisions that are necessary to right the wrongs of the failed war on drugs."

Arizona’s First State-Licensed Dispensary Obtains Recreational Sales License

Arizona's first state-licensed dispensary, Arizona Organix, began selling recreational marijuana products and is now selling a variety of products and strains for both recreational and medicinal use.

Citizens voted in favor of the legalization of recreational marijuana in the November 2020 election. The Copper State began awarding dispensaries recreational marijuana sales licenses at the end of January.

Arizona Organix received its license on Feb. 1. It has sold medical marijuana to Arizona residents since 2012.

“The ability to expand our products with recreational marijuana allows us to reach even more people," Mark Myer, vice president of Arizona Organix. "With the expansion of our products, we promise to uphold the same quality and outstanding customer service that we’ve come to be known for.” 

Morocco Plans To OK Medical And Industrial Cannabis Use

A new bill in Morocco hopes to improve farmers’ incomes and protect them from drug traffickers who currently control the cannabis trade across the country.

According to Reuters, the bill would make the farming, export and domestic sale of cannabis — both for medical and industrial use — legal.

Morocco's government will form a national agency to oversee production, transportation and sales. Parliament must still approve the plan.

The recreational use of cannabis in Morocco would still be banned.

Are you still missing out on The Bluntness newsletter? Sign Up today to stay in the loop.

More For You

Comprehensive Glossary of Cannabis Terminology - The Bluntness
Cannabis Terminology - The Bluntness
Photo by Margo Amala on Unsplash

Are You Ready to Master Cannabis Lingo? Explore Essential Terms Now

This glossary covers key cannabis-related terms that can help consumers better understand the cannabis industry, products, and their effects. Whether you're new to cannabis or looking to deepen your knowledge, these definitions offer clarity on common terms you might encounter.

Cannabis Basics: What is Cannabis?

Cannabis is a fascinating plant species that includes three main types: Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica, and Cannabis ruderalis. Each of these species has unique characteristics and effects. The cannabis plant is a complex organism, rich in various compounds such as cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids. These compounds contribute to the plant’s diverse range of effects and therapeutic benefits. Cannabis plants are cultivated for both medicinal and recreational purposes, and they can be consumed in multiple forms, including dried flower, extracts, and edibles. Whether you’re interested in the energizing effects of Cannabis sativa, the relaxing properties of Cannabis indica, or the unique traits of Cannabis ruderalis, there’s a cannabis plant to suit every need.

Cannabis Products: Cannabis Extracts

Cannabis extracts are highly potent products derived from the cannabis plant using various extraction methods, such as solvents or CO2. These extracts are concentrated forms of cannabis that can be used in several ways, including dabbing, vaporizing, or as ingredients in edibles and topicals. There are several types of cannabis extracts, each with its own texture and potency, including wax, shatter, oil, and crumble. These products are often favored for their high cannabinoid content and are commonly used for medicinal purposes, such as pain relief and anxiety management. Whether you’re looking for a powerful dabbing experience or a potent ingredient for your homemade edibles, cannabis extracts offer a versatile and effective option.

Keep ReadingShow less
U.S. States with highest revenue from cannabis taxes
U.S. States with highest revenue from cannabis taxes

U.S. States with the Highest Revenue from Cannabis Taxes

The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) hasn't seen any reason to remove cannabis from its list of Schedule I banned substances. Yet, cannabis in its myriad forms is pulling in billions of dollars in vital tax revenue for those states where it is legal —$3 billion in 2022 alone.

The drug has sat in the Schedule I classification alongside heroin, peyote, and other substances the DEA considers to have a high potential for abuse since 1970, when Congress enacted the Controlled Substances Act, making it federally illegal to possess them. Two decades after the law passed, following intense social pressure that segued into the realization of a new tax opportunity, certain states began to make the drug available to residents, citing the medical benefits and relative safety compared with other substances

Keep ReadingShow less
Kanye West Is Spiraling—And Our Mental Health System Is Letting It Happen - The Bluntness
Kanye West Is Spiraling—And Our Mental Health System Is Letting It Happen - The Bluntness
Photo by Axel Antas-Bergkvist on Unsplash

Kanye West Is Spiraling—And Our Mental Health System Is Letting It Happen - The Bluntness

Kanye West, aka Ye, isn’t just trending—he’s unraveling in real time. And instead of intervention, we get viral clips, condemnation, and an audience watching a man self-destruct. His latest stunt? Airing a Super Bowl ad promoting a swastika-emblazoned Yeezy shirt on his site—a move so blatantly antisemitic that even the most die-hard supporters had to step back. This act garnered significant media coverage, leading to brands cutting ties and agents dropping him. His social media account faced scrutiny and was ultimately deleted after a history of controversial postings. But here’s the problem: canceling Kanye doesn’t fix Kanye.

At this point, the question isn’t whether his actions are inexcusable (they are). The question is, what happens when one of the world’s most influential figures is also one of the most untreated cases of mental illness in pop culture history?

Keep ReadingShow less
gif of actor Kevin James from King of Queens; asking "How Much Does That Cost?"
Why Is Some Weed More Expensive Than Others? Understanding Cannabis Pricing
Giphy

Unraveling Cannabis Pricing: Factors Behind the Cost of Weed


Step inside a cannabis dispensary for the first time and the experience can be overwhelming. The meticulously labeled glass jars showcase dozens of strains with names like "Wedding Cake" and "Blue Dream," while refrigerated cases display concentrates, edibles, and tinctures at wildly different price points. Unlike the days when consumers were limited to whatever their neighborhood dealer offered, today's legal market presents a dazzling array of options that might leave newcomers with both wonder and sticker shock.

Keep ReadingShow less
image of a circle of doctors and surgeons standing over and looking at a patient on operating room table
New Study Confirms Medical Cannabis Benefits in Cancer Care—Time for Policy to Catch Up
Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash

Cannabis & Cancer: The Evidence Is In—So Why Is the Medical Establishment Still Dragging Its Feet?

If you've ever watched a loved one battle cancer—or been on that journey yourself—you already know the harsh truth: the pain is real, the nausea is relentless, the appetite is gone, and the side effects of treatment often feel worse than the disease. So when patients say cannabis helps, it shouldn’t take 10,000 studies for the medical community to take them seriously.

And yet, here we are.

Keep ReadingShow less