Author: News Room

In the two years since opening Gorilla Rx and the four years prior spent fighting for the right to do just that, Kika Keith became a force in Los Angeles cannabis. But the idea wasn’t on a whim. The serial entrepreneur told High Times she first got the idea to open the South-Central Los Angeles dispensary in 2007. She was attempting to get her non-infused beverage line Gorilla Life into dispensaries when one of the owners recommended adding some decarboxylated hash. “We ended up partnering on an infused version of Gorilla Life called Chronic Tonic; it sold really well,” Keith…

“The ceiling falls in on me, and I get tested as a result of it… Now I have it in my system, and they’re going to cut my benefits by 50 percent. That is possible under this bill, correct?” By Rebecca Rivas, Missouri Independent If Missouri employees ask for workers’ compensation after an on-the-job injury, employers can require them to take a drug test for marijuana. If they test positive—even if they hadn’t consumed marijuana for days—their compensation and death benefit may be reduced by 50 percent. That didn’t change when Missouri legalized recreational marijuana because it’s still a controlled…

Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley (R), a GOP 2024 presidential candidate, says she agrees with federal health officials in the Biden administration that marijuana should be rescheduled, stating that cannabis “obviously” doesn’t belong in the same category as heroin. During a town hall event hosted by CNN ahead of the New Hampshire primary election, Haley was asked if she would support moving marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), as recommended by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). “I think I’ll go with the scientists on that,” she said. “I…

“The current loophole that allows these dangerous products to be sold to children needs to be closed as soon as possible.” By Megan Henry, Ohio Capital Journal Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R) wants the state to either ban or regulate delta-8 THC products. But since there’s nothing he can do administratively, he is urging lawmakers to do something in regards to intoxicating hemp products like delta-8. “I would be very happy to have a ban,” DeWine said during a press conference, holding up packages of delta-8—one resembling Frosted Flakes, another looking like Cocoa Puffs and a third that looks like…

As Nevada advocates continue the push for psychedelics reform, a joint legislative committee held a hearing with expert and public testimony on the therapeutic potential of substances like psilocybin. Law enforcement representatives also shared their concerns around legalization—but there was notable acknowledgement that some reforms should be enacted, including possible rescheduling. The legislature’s Joint Interim Standing Committee on the Judiciary discussed the topic on Friday, with presentations focused on the “science and impact” of psychedelic-assisted therapy. A county prosecutor and Las Vegas detective led a separate presentation on “concerns regarding the legalization of psychedelics.” Sen. Rochelle Nguyen (D) introduced the…

Marijuana regulators from across the country discussed the state of social equity in legal cannabis last week, part of the third meeting of a National Academies commission focused on changes amid the ongoing legalization movement. The latest two-day meeting of the Committee on Public Health Consequences of Changes in the Cannabis Policy Landscape, which follows a pair of earlier gatherings, focused mostly on social equity and justice, including how marijuana regulatory models “have influenced employment, tax revenues, economic indicators, criminal justice interactions, the unregulated market, and access to prevention and treatment resources for cannabis use disorder.” It featured an array…

Another California Assembly committee has unanimously approved a Republican-led bill to create a state workgroup that would be tasked with exploring a regulatory framework to provide therapeutic access to psychedelics like psilocybin and ibogaine. The Assembly Appropriations Committee passed the legislation from Assemblymember Marie Waldron (R) in a 11-0 vote on Thursday. It’s now expected to go to the floor before potentially moving to the Senate. If the legislature were to enact a regulatory framework as recommended by the workgroup, which would be situated under the California Health and Human Services Agency (CalHHS), the bill would also allow health practitioners…

“It’s a bipartisan bill that supports Montana values and benefits Montanans all across our great state.” By Darrell Ehrlick, Daily Montanan The Montana governor has the power to veto legislation, and the Montana Legislature has the power to override those vetoes, things that a Lewis and Clark County district court judge said are not ambiguous. And even though a small gap could be created by the timing of the veto or when the Legislature adjourns, Judge Mike Menahan said the Constitution’s framers were clear that both branches should be able to equally exercise their powers. In a ruling handed down…

President Joe Biden stands to make significant political gains if marijuana is rescheduled under his administrative directive, according to a new survey that reveals majority support for the reform. It also found that marijuana enjoys greater favorability with voters compared to Biden and former President Donald Trump. The poll conducted by Lake Research Partners and commissioned by the Coalition for Cannabis Scheduling Reform (CCSR) showed that 58 percent of likely voters favor loosening federal marijuana laws by moving it from Schedule I to Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). Just 19 percent oppose it. But perhaps even more…

Marijuana use among teens in Washington State’s most populous county declined after legalization of cannabis for adults, according to a new federal study published on Thursday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The prevalence of current and frequent use fell significantly among youth in grades 8, 10 and 12 between 2008 and 2021. According to the study, published in CDC’s latest Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, current and frequent use of marijuana among teens in King County has fallen significantly since state voters legalized adult-use cannabis by initiative in November 2012. Researchers said legalization and related regulations…