The marijuana legalization movement has “drastically changed” the social media landscape for cannabis marketing, according to a new research paper that focused on Instagram trends.While male-dominated, anonymous profiles have been a hallmark of illicit markets, that has largely shifted in the U.S. as more states have legalized marijuana. The researchers found that women are becoming the key “influencers” promoting cannabis through lifestyle-driven posts.The study, published last month in Crime, Media, Culture: An International Journal, compared the profiles of 60 seemingly illicit sellers...…The marijuana legalization movement has “drastically changed” the social media landscape for cannabis marketing, according to a new research paper that focused on Instagram trends.While male-dominated, anonymous profiles have been a hallmark of illicit markets, that has largely shifted in the U.S. as more states have legalized marijuana. The researchers found that women are becoming the key “influencers” promoting cannabis through lifestyle-driven posts.The study, published last month in Crime, Media, Culture: An International Journal, compared the profiles of 60 seemingly illicit sellers...WW…

The California State Fair has unveiled the winners of a first-ever, state-sanctioned marijuana competition, awarding 60 trophies and medals to businesses whose products were judged based on lab testing for quality and cannabinoid profiles.Officials first , celebrating the fact that the state’s cannabis industry is being recognized as legitimate market that’s no longer being treated differently than other commodities.“Adding cannabis cultivation, alongside wine, craft beer, cheese and olive oil, was a perfect fit with the CA State Fair’s history of celebrating California’s rich agriculture...…The California State Fair has unveiled the winners of a first-ever, state-sanctioned marijuana competition, awarding 60 trophies and medals to businesses whose products were judged based on lab testing for quality and cannabinoid profiles.Officials first , celebrating the fact that the state’s cannabis industry is being recognized as legitimate market that’s no longer being treated differently than other commodities.“Adding cannabis cultivation, alongside wine, craft beer, cheese and olive oil, was a perfect fit with the CA State Fair’s history of celebrating California’s rich agriculture...WW…

The commonly used marijuana strain labeling system can be highly misleading for consumers, a new study that analyzed the chemical composition of almost 90,000 cannabis samples across six states found.Experts have been critical of how marijuana varieties are being marketed for some years, but the study published in the journal PLOS One last week provides an in-depth look at just how inaccurate cannabis product labeling seems to be.Researchers said that their findings undermine the most common way that marijuana “strains” are categorized: indicas associated with body highs, sativas with...…The commonly used marijuana strain labeling system can be highly misleading for consumers, a new study that analyzed the chemical composition of almost 90,000 cannabis samples across six states found.Experts have been critical of how marijuana varieties are being marketed for some years, but the study published in the journal PLOS One last week provides an in-depth look at just how inaccurate cannabis product labeling seems to be.Researchers said that their findings undermine the most common way that marijuana “strains” are categorized: indicas associated with body highs, sativas with...WW…

The NBA players’ union announced a new partnership on Tuesday to promote the sale of a line of CBD products from a business owned by a former star player that will be distributed through Walmart and Amazon.The relationship between professional athletic organizations and cannabis has been gradually evolving since hemp was federally legalized and more states move to broadly end marijuana prohibition. NBA in particular has been fairly receptive to policy changes that have been pushed for by league’s players’ association.This newly announced arrangement doesn’t directly involve NBA; rather, it...…The NBA players’ union announced a new partnership on Tuesday to promote the sale of a line of CBD products from a business owned by a former star player that will be distributed through Walmart and Amazon.The relationship between professional athletic organizations and cannabis has been gradually evolving since hemp was federally legalized and more states move to broadly end marijuana prohibition. NBA in particular has been fairly receptive to policy changes that have been pushed for by league’s players’ association.This newly announced arrangement doesn’t directly involve NBA; rather, it...WW…

Neil deGrasse Tyson might be best known as an astrophysicist whose expertise lies in the cosmos beyond. But he says there may be mysteries yet to be unraveled here on earth when it comes to undiscovered plant life with psychedelic potential.On an episode of his podcast StarTalk, Tyson and Harvard University neuroscientist Staci Gruber talked about marijuana has been used for its psychoactive properties for thousands of years. It got Tyson thinking: what kind of plants and fungi might still be out there with untapped psychedelic potential?“How many plants out there remain undiscovered simply...…Neil deGrasse Tyson might be best known as an astrophysicist whose expertise lies in the cosmos beyond. But he says there may be mysteries yet to be unraveled here on earth when it comes to undiscovered plant life with psychedelic potential.On an episode of his podcast StarTalk, Tyson and Harvard University neuroscientist Staci Gruber talked about marijuana has been used for its psychoactive properties for thousands of years. It got Tyson thinking: what kind of plants and fungi might still be out there with untapped psychedelic potential?“How many plants out there remain undiscovered simply...WW…

The White House is maintaining that WNBA star Brittney Griner is “wrongfully detained” in Russia even after she pleaded guilty to in the country. But as American officials continue to seek her release, questions are being raised about whether federal marijuana prohibition in the U.S. is undermining its position in the case.Some wondered whether Griner’s guilty plea to a charge punishable by up to 10 years in prison would impact the State Department’s earlier designation of the athlete as a wrongfully detained American national. But at a briefing on Thursday, White House Press Secretary...…The White House is maintaining that WNBA star Brittney Griner is “wrongfully detained” in Russia even after she pleaded guilty to in the country. But as American officials continue to seek her release, questions are being raised about whether federal marijuana prohibition in the U.S. is undermining its position in the case.Some wondered whether Griner’s guilty plea to a charge punishable by up to 10 years in prison would impact the State Department’s earlier designation of the athlete as a wrongfully detained American national. But at a briefing on Thursday, White House Press Secretary...WW…

California marijuana retailers do a very good job of preventing underage people from entering their shops and purchasing cannabis, a new study found.Researchers wanted to put the cannabis industry’s compliance with ID requirements to the test, so they sent people who seemingly looked underage to 50 randomly selected marijuana shops throughout the state to see if they could get in without presenting identification.Every single retailer required ID.“It was somewhat surprising that there was 100 percent compliance with the ID policy to keep underage patrons from purchasing marijuana directly...…California marijuana retailers do a very good job of preventing underage people from entering their shops and purchasing cannabis, a new study found.Researchers wanted to put the cannabis industry’s compliance with ID requirements to the test, so they sent people who seemingly looked underage to 50 randomly selected marijuana shops throughout the state to see if they could get in without presenting identification.Every single retailer required ID.“It was somewhat surprising that there was 100 percent compliance with the ID policy to keep underage patrons from purchasing marijuana directly...WW…

The volume of studies on marijuana has “grown steeply” over the past couple decades as more U.S. states and countries around the world have moved to end prohibition, a new research analysis concludes.That’s in spite of the fact that U.S. federal policy has severely encumbered scientists from obtaining and studying the plant due to its ongoing status as a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA).The new study, published last week in the Journal of Cannabis Research, provides an in-depth breakdown of the scientific literature of marijuana that has expanded over time despite...…The volume of studies on marijuana has “grown steeply” over the past couple decades as more U.S. states and countries around the world have moved to end prohibition, a new research analysis concludes.That’s in spite of the fact that U.S. federal policy has severely encumbered scientists from obtaining and studying the plant due to its ongoing status as a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA).The new study, published last week in the Journal of Cannabis Research, provides an in-depth breakdown of the scientific literature of marijuana that has expanded over time despite...WW…

The federal government is set to finally contract another marijuana manufacturer to supply cannabis for research purposes, posting a pre-solicitation notice about the opportunity for recently authorized growers.The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) has worked with the same single marijuana farm at the University of Mississippi for more than 50 years, and scientists have been critical about the quality of the cannabis and extracts produced at the facility. Now there’s a chance to break the monopoly and expand the available product pool for researchers.NIDA posted the pre-solicitation...…The federal government is set to finally contract another marijuana manufacturer to supply cannabis for research purposes, posting a pre-solicitation notice about the opportunity for recently authorized growers.The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) has worked with the same single marijuana farm at the University of Mississippi for more than 50 years, and scientists have been critical about the quality of the cannabis and extracts produced at the facility. Now there’s a chance to break the monopoly and expand the available product pool for researchers.NIDA posted the pre-solicitation...WW…

The MLB is now reportedly allowing baseball teams in the league to sell sponsorships to cannabis companies that market CBD products, as long as they meet certain criteria.MLB has been among the more progressive professional sports organizations in the U.S. when it comes to marijuana, and this reported development represents another example of how the baseball league is normalizing cannabis.In order for a team to sell a CBD sponsorship, Sports Business Journal first , a prospective company’s products must be certified by NSF International, a consumer safety and product-testing organization...…The MLB is now reportedly allowing baseball teams in the league to sell sponsorships to cannabis companies that market CBD products, as long as they meet certain criteria.MLB has been among the more progressive professional sports organizations in the U.S. when it comes to marijuana, and this reported development represents another example of how the baseball league is normalizing cannabis.In order for a team to sell a CBD sponsorship, Sports Business Journal first , a prospective company’s products must be certified by NSF International, a consumer safety and product-testing organization...WW…