Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

Weekly Cannabis Roundup: The Final Breath of Prohibition

Weekly Cannabis Roundup: The Final Breath of Prohibition

Jan. 29, 2020 – We’ve just made it through January and 2021 is already looking to be the most historic year yet in cannabis legalization and progress – just as The Bluntness and many others predicted.

Check out some of the most recent highlights below…


U.S. Senate Majority Leader: Cannabis Is A Priority

What Happened: In his first post-election comments, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has indicated the cannabis issue is a top priority. Sen. Schumer also talked 1-1 with Al Harrington, a retired NBA star turned cannabis advocate and entrepreneur.

Why It’s Important: This is the moment that all cannabis advocates have been waiting for – a Senate Majority Leader who actually cares about the cannabis issue. In his conversation with Harrington, Schumer pointed out how the fears of prohibitionist thinking never panned out and that the disproportionate impact cannabis illegality has had on minority communities needs to be addressed.

Schumer also emphasized the importance of expunging cannabis from people’s legal records, making sure minorities have a seat at the table in this emerging industry, and leaving control at the state level.

More State Governors Push for Cannabis Legalization

What Happened: The governors of Pennsylvania, New Mexico, and Minnesota this past week have encouraged state legislators to make adult-use cannabis a priority in 2021.

Why It’s Important: Sure, a lot of state leaders are mostly interested in the tax revenue cannabis generates, however the idea of so many governors pushing for cannabis legalization was just a dream as recently as five years ago. Hopefully, as more states embrace adult-use cannabis they learn from the mistakes of previous markets while also increasing support of medical cannabis efforts.

South Dakota Judge Hears Arguments in Cannabis Amendment Lawsuit

What Happened: A South Dakota judge heard arguments in the lawsuit against the state’s voter-approved amendment to legalize adult-use cannabis.

Why It’s Important: On Nov. 3, 2020, SD voters approved both medical and adult-use cannabis. Since then, Gov. Kristi Noem has been rallying state resources to reappeal the vote for adult-use cannabis which would essentially undermine voters.

While arguments for the lawsuit claim that the voter-approved amendment was unconstitutional, it is clear that opponents are just against cannabis legalization and doing everything they can to stop it.

Being the qualified cannabis expert she is, Noem has gone on record about this issue several times.

“I’ve been very clear since the beginning… I don’t think anybody got smarter smokin’ pot, and that I think it’s a bad decision for the state of South Dakota. In fact, I was actively engaged in making sure that people of South Dakota knew how I felt about these ballot measures before election day,” Noem says.

The lawsuit could very well determine the fate of adult-use cannabis in South Dakota. If Noem gets her way, it would be a direct affront to the voice of voters in the state.

New Study Reveals Drop in Opioid Deaths in Areas with Cannabis Dispensaries

What Happened: A new study published in the journal of the British Medical Association found that the more cannabis dispensaries within a given area, the fewer opioid deaths.

Why It’s Important: We’ve seen studies like this before. The latest is yet further proof of cannabis’s value as a harm reduction substance – in this case opioids. The same applies for other deadly substances such as alcohol, which is 114 times more dangerous than cannabis and kills more than 3 million people each year.

In other words, more cannabis dispensaries is a good thing. Fewer cannabis dispensaries is a bad thing.

Michigan Dispensary: Free Cannabis If You Receive a COVID Vaccine

What Happened: In a campaign called ‘Pot for Shots’, a dispensary in Michigan is offering free cannabis for people who can prove they received a COVID vaccine.

Why It’s Important: Is the COVID vaccine safe and effective? Most people don’t have enough info to answer that question, which is why there is so much fear and reluctance. However, if it is going to work, the majority of the population will need to get vaccinated. And who doesn’t love free weed? It wouldn’t be a surprise to see more cannabis operators following this example, and it’s great to see industry players doing their part in the pandemic.

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

More For You

map of medical and recreational cannabis retailers in state of New York
NY Cannabis Program Under Fire for Misconduct
NY Cannabis Program Under Fire for Misconduct

Legal Weed, Legit?

New York’s legal cannabis industry was supposed to be the nation’s model of equity and regulation. Instead, it’s quickly becoming a cautionary tale. And the latest news doesn’t just raise eyebrows—it should set off alarms across the entire industry.

According to an April 7 report byThe New York Times, New York State regulators are conducting a sweeping investigation into some of the biggest cannabis companies operating in the state—Stiiizy, Grön, Mfused, and others—over allegations of using out-of-state or unauthorized cannabis to produce products for legal dispensaries. It’s a practice insiders call inversion—and it’s been the industry’s not-so-secret open secret for years.

Keep ReadingShow less
Transparency in NY's Cannabis Market: The NYMCIA Controversy
Transparency in NY's Cannabis Market: The NYMCIA Controversy
Transparency in NY's Cannabis Market: The NYMCIA Controversy

Selective Outrage Hurts NY Cannabis

Authored by: Veterans Holdings CEO Jason Ambrosino

Last week, the New York Medical Cannabis Industry Association (NYMCIA) issued a press release accusing licensed dispensaries of selling "out-of-state cannabis" and undermining the integrity of the legal market. Read the press release here.

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
Cannabis and Aging: A Groundbreaking Study Challenges Long-Held Beliefs - The Bluntness
Cannabis and Aging: A Groundbreaking Study Challenges Long-Held Beliefs - The Bluntness
Giphy

Aging & Cannabis: New Findings

For decades, cannabis has been widely regarded as a substance with potential cognitive risks, particularly when used over long periods. Governments across the globe have classified it as a controlled substance, citing concerns about the effects of marijuana use, including memory loss, diminished executive function, and long-term neurological impact. But new research is challenging this long-standing assumption, suggesting that cannabis use may not be linked to age-related cognitive decline—and might even be associated with better cognitive preservation over time.

A recent study published in PubMed (NIH, 2024) followed over 5,000 men for more than four decades to analyze the long-term cognitive effects of cannabis use. The results? Men with a history of cannabis use experienced less cognitive decline from early adulthood to late midlife compared to those who never used cannabis.

Keep ReadingShow less
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