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…

Nearly two-thirds of Pennsylvanians support legalizing marijuana for adults and establishing a statewide system to regulate and tax sales—including majorities of the state’s conservative, moderate and liberal voters.That’s according to a new statewide survey, commissioned by the Pennsylvania Cannabis Coalition (PCC) industry group and conducted by Harrisburg-based Harper Polling, that found 62 percent of likely voters in favor of legal, regulated sales to adults 21 and over.Published on Wednesday, the poll indicates indicates an opportunity for Republican candidates looking to win over...…Nearly two-thirds of Pennsylvanians support legalizing marijuana for adults and establishing a statewide system to regulate and tax sales—including majorities of the state’s conservative, moderate and liberal voters.That’s according to a new statewide survey, commissioned by the Pennsylvania Cannabis Coalition (PCC) industry group and conducted by Harrisburg-based Harper Polling, that found 62 percent of likely voters in favor of legal, regulated sales to adults 21 and over.Published on Wednesday, the poll indicates indicates an opportunity for Republican candidates looking to win over...WW…

A much-anticipated bill to legalize marijuana in Delaware cleared its first committee hurdle on Wednesday after wide-ranging testimony about how and whether the state should enact the reform.The legislation, HB 150, , passed the House Health and Human Development Committee in a 10-5 vote despite vocal opposition from some Republican members of the panel.“This act allows adults over the age of 21 to legally possess and consume under one ounce of marijuana for personal use,” Osienski said, “and creates the legal framework to license and regulate a new industry that will create...…A much-anticipated bill to legalize marijuana in Delaware cleared its first committee hurdle on Wednesday after wide-ranging testimony about how and whether the state should enact the reform.The legislation, HB 150, , passed the House Health and Human Development Committee in a 10-5 vote despite vocal opposition from some Republican members of the panel.“This act allows adults over the age of 21 to legally possess and consume under one ounce of marijuana for personal use,” Osienski said, “and creates the legal framework to license and regulate a new industry that will create...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 Florida Agriculture Department on Tuesday announced eight winners from students grades 5-11 who as part of an annual “Agricultural History and Creativity” contest.This year’s contest stood out for its focus on the cannabis plant’s alternative, sustainable uses. The department has worked to support the burgeoning hemp industry, especially following the crop’s federal legalization under the 2018 Farm Bill.It invited students grades 4-11 to submit 500-word essays to be eligible for $1,000 scholarships and be honored at next year’s Florida Cabinet meeting at the state Capitol. Those...…The Florida Agriculture Department on Tuesday announced eight winners from students grades 5-11 who as part of an annual “Agricultural History and Creativity” contest.This year’s contest stood out for its focus on the cannabis plant’s alternative, sustainable uses. The department has worked to support the burgeoning hemp industry, especially following the crop’s federal legalization under the 2018 Farm Bill.It invited students grades 4-11 to submit 500-word essays to be eligible for $1,000 scholarships and be honored at next year’s Florida Cabinet meeting at the state Capitol. Those...WW…

An Oregon campaign to legalize psilocybin mushrooms for therapeutic purposes is within striking distance to qualify for the state’s November ballot. But with a deadline to submit signatures fast approaching, activists announced on Monday that they will be taking new steps to ensure success.So far, organizers have collected more than 130,000 signatures for Initiative Petition 34, which would make Oregon the first jurisdiction in the U.S. to implement a therapeutic legalization model for the psychedelic. While that raw total is more than is required, the signatures haven’t been certified by...…An Oregon campaign to legalize psilocybin mushrooms for therapeutic purposes is within striking distance to qualify for the state’s November ballot. But with a deadline to submit signatures fast approaching, activists announced on Monday that they will be taking new steps to ensure success.So far, organizers have collected more than 130,000 signatures for Initiative Petition 34, which would make Oregon the first jurisdiction in the U.S. to implement a therapeutic legalization model for the psychedelic. While that raw total is more than is required, the signatures haven’t been certified by...WW…

A top lawmaker in Vermont says the legislature will reconsider a bill to legalize marijuana sales later this year, though she feels lawmakers and the administration are appropriately focused on responding to the coronavirus pandemic for now.House Speaker Mitzi Johnson (D) was pressed on Thursday about why leaders aren’t giving more attention to the pending tax-and-regulate legislation given the revenue the state could derive and the jobs that could be created from legal cannabis sales.The speaker told Vermont Public Radio that after both chambers approved a bill to provide for retail sales...…A top lawmaker in Vermont says the legislature will reconsider a bill to legalize marijuana sales later this year, though she feels lawmakers and the administration are appropriately focused on responding to the coronavirus pandemic for now.House Speaker Mitzi Johnson (D) was pressed on Thursday about why leaders aren’t giving more attention to the pending tax-and-regulate legislation given the revenue the state could derive and the jobs that could be created from legal cannabis sales.The speaker told Vermont Public Radio that after both chambers approved a bill to provide for retail sales...WW…

Four Texas companies are suing to overturn the state’s new ban on the manufacture and sale of smokable hemp products, which they warn will shut Texas companies out of a multibillion-dollar industry and lead to inaccurately labeled products on store shelves.In a lawsuit filed in Travis County District Court on Wednesday, the companies are asking a judge to declare the ban unconstitutional and allow hemp products intended for smoking or vaping to be produced and sold legally across the state.“At a time when the Texas economy is reeling from the fiscal impact of COVID-19, it is unfortunate...…Four Texas companies are suing to overturn the state’s new ban on the manufacture and sale of smokable hemp products, which they warn will shut Texas companies out of a multibillion-dollar industry and lead to inaccurately labeled products on store shelves.In a lawsuit filed in Travis County District Court on Wednesday, the companies are asking a judge to declare the ban unconstitutional and allow hemp products intended for smoking or vaping to be produced and sold legally across the state.“At a time when the Texas economy is reeling from the fiscal impact of COVID-19, it is unfortunate...WW…

The Vermont Democratic Party formally adopted a platform this month that calls for bold drug policy reforms, including legalizing marijuana sales, promoting equity in the cannabis industry and decriminalizing possession of all currently illicit substances.During a virtual meeting on September 12, about 100 local delegates from across the state approved the platform. Beside marijuana legalization and drug decriminalization, the party further called for a process to automate expungements and reassess sentencing guidelines more broadly.All this came together as legislators worked to and...…The Vermont Democratic Party formally adopted a platform this month that calls for bold drug policy reforms, including legalizing marijuana sales, promoting equity in the cannabis industry and decriminalizing possession of all currently illicit substances.During a virtual meeting on September 12, about 100 local delegates from across the state approved the platform. Beside marijuana legalization and drug decriminalization, the party further called for a process to automate expungements and reassess sentencing guidelines more broadly.All this came together as legislators worked to and...WW…

The governor of Virginia announced on Sunday that he approved a bill to decriminalize marijuana possession in the state.The legislation, which would make possessing up to one ounce of cannabis punishable by a $25 fine with no threat of jail time and no criminal record, was in March.Prior Virginia law made simple possession punishable by a maximum $500 fine, up to 30 days in jail and a criminal record.Gov. Ralph Northam (D) approved the legislation— and —with no public signing ceremony amid the coronavirus outbreak, but he’s consistently expressed support for decriminalization and included a...…The governor of Virginia announced on Sunday that he approved a bill to decriminalize marijuana possession in the state.The legislation, which would make possessing up to one ounce of cannabis punishable by a $25 fine with no threat of jail time and no criminal record, was in March.Prior Virginia law made simple possession punishable by a maximum $500 fine, up to 30 days in jail and a criminal record.Gov. Ralph Northam (D) approved the legislation— and —with no public signing ceremony amid the coronavirus outbreak, but he’s consistently expressed support for decriminalization and included a...WW…