TheJointBlog

Poland’s President Andrzej Duda has signed into law a bill that legalizes medical cannabis. The legislation was approved by the Sejm (Poland’s legislative body) with 440 out of 460 members voting in favor, and was signed by President Duda on Friday. The new law allows medical marijuana to be prescribed by physicians, and sold in …

According to a new study published in the Journal of Urban Economics, the forced closure of marijuana dispensaries leads to an increase in crime. For the study, researchers at the University of Southern California examined the impact of dispensary closures on crime rates in Los Angeles. Crime data was analyzed in the days before and after …

New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu signed a bill into law Tuesday that decriminalizes the possession of marijuana and hash. The new law – which decriminalizes the possession of up to three-quarters of an ounce of marijuana, and ip to five grams of hash – officially goes into effect in 60 days, making New Hampshire the …

In less than two months supporters of a Michigan initiative to legalize marijuana have collected over 100,000 signatures. The Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol must collect 252,523 signatures by May 30th of next year in order to put their marijuana legalization initiative to a vote of the people during the November, 2018 election. They …

Washington has garnered over $300 million in taxes from legal marijuana sales in fiscal year 2017. This is according to data from the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (WSLCB). In total the state has earned $304,968,332 in fiscal year 2017, which began on July 1, 2016 and ended on June 30. These taxes come …

Lawmakers in Catalonia, an autonomous region of Spain, have voted to legalize marijuana clubs. With a vote of 118 to 9, Catalonia lawmakers have passed legislation to legalize and regulate marijuana clubs. These clubs will be self-reliant, non-profit organizations that are allowed to grow and distribute cannabis to those 18 and older. They will be …

Greece’s prime minister has announced that the country has officially legalized medical cannabis. At Friday press conference Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras announced that the Joint Ministerial Decision to legalize cannabis as a medicine has been signed into law. “From now on, the country is turning its page, as Greece is now included in countries where …

Cannabinoids can prevent the long-term negative consequences of exposure to severe stress, according to a new study published by the journal Hippocampus, and e-published ahead of print by the U.S. National Institute of Health. “Exposure to excessive or uncontrolled stress is a major factor associated with various diseases including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)”, begins the …

Legislation expanding New Hampshire’s medical marijuana program has been signed into law by Governor Chris Sununu. House Bill 160, signed into law Wednesday by Governor Sununu, expands the state’s list of qualifying medical cannabis conditions by adding post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, and moderate to severe pain. The legislation also allows medical providers …

According to a new study, cannabinoids can attenuate (reduce the effects of) hyperactivity and body weight loss in activity-based anorexia. The study, published by the British Journal of Pharmacology, was epublished ahead of print by the U.S. National Institute of Health. “Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a serious psychiatric condition characterized by excessive body weight loss …

Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval has signed an executive order allowing recreational marijuana sales to begin on July 1st. The order signed into law by Governor Sandoval allows currently operating medical cannabis dispensaries to begin selling marijuana to everyone 21 and older beginning July 1st. The governor’s order comes amid concerns that a judge’s order could …

A bill to legalize medical marijuana in Mexico has officially been passed into law, according to President Enrique Peña Nieto. The new law directs the Ministry of Health to draft and implement regulations, with  “public policies regulating the medicinal use of pharmacological derivatives of cannabis sativa, indica and Americana or marijuana, including tetrahydrocannabinol, its isomers …

A bipartisan proposal to add post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a qualifying medical marijuana condition in New York has been passed by the state’s legislature and sent to Governor Andrew Cuomo for consideration. The Senate passed Senate Bill 5629 today with a 50 to 13 vote. The Assembly version of the measure, Assembly Bill 7006, …

Oklahoma voters will have the opportunity next year to legalize medical cannabis. Advocates have successfully collected and submitted enough valid signatures on their initiative to legalize medical marijuana to put it to a vote in one of the nation’s most conservative states. State Question 788 will appear on the November, 2018 ballot and would legalize …

A new study has found that many of the stereotypes surrounding cannabis are untrue, and that cannabis consumers are among the “most well-adjusted and successful of American adults”. According to the study by BDS Analytics; “Public support for cannabis legalization is stronger today than ever before, yet the “stoner” stereotype — apathetic, unsuccessful, flaky — …

The bipartisan CARERS Act would allow the possession, production, and distribution of medical marijuana in states that have legalized it. It would also lift the ban on Veterans Affairs doctors recommending it to patients in those states. The bill was reintroduced Thursday by U.S. Senators Rand Paul (R-KY), Corey Booker (D-NJ), and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), with Senators …

Maine’s full legislature has has passed legislation to protect medical cannabis patients from being denied organ transplants. Maine’s LD 764 has now been approved by the state’s House of Representatives, and Senate, meaning it will soon be sent to Governor Paul LePage for consideration. The bill, filed by State Representative Deborah Sanderson (R) with eight bipartisan …

Cannabidiol (CBD) may be beneficial in the treatment of psychiatric/cognitive symptoms associated with neurodegeneration, according to a new study. The study, published by the journal Frontiers in Pharmacology, was also published online by the U.S. National Institute of Health. “Beneficial effects of cannabidiol (CBD) have been described for a wide range of psychiatric disorders, including …

A bill expanding Vermont’s medical marijuana program has been signed into law by Governor Phil Scott. Senate Bill 16 was signed into law yesterday by Governor Scott, following overwhelming approval in the state’s House and Senate. The measure expands Vermont’s medical cannabis program, including adding three new qualifying conditions; post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Crohn’s …

Legislation expanding Colorado’s medical marijuana program has been signed into law by Governor John Hickenlooper. Senate Bill 17 – signed into law yesterday by Governor Hickenlooper – would create “a statutory right to use medical marijuana for a patient with acute stress disorder or post-traumatic stress disorder.” The bill “creates the same rights, limitations, and …

Cannabis may provide an effective and safe treatment option for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), according to a new study published by the journal European Neuropsychopharmacology. “Adults with ADHD describe self-medicating with cannabis, with some reporting a preference for cannabis over ADHD medications”, begins the study’s abstract, which was e-published ahead of print by the U.S. National …

New Hampshire’s full legislature has voted to decriminalize marijuana. The House of Representatives today gave final approval to House Bill 640 to decriminalize marijuana and hash possession. The measure was initially approved by the House in March with a 316 to 38 vote, before being passed by the Senate in May 17 to 6. Given …

Cannabinoids may provide an effective treatment option for Alzheimer’s disease, according to new research published in the European Journal of Pharmacology, and e-published ahead of print by the U.S. National Institute of Health. “Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by neuroinflammation, extensive deposits of amyloid-β aggregates, and loss of memory and cognitive abilities”, …

Legislation that would legalize hemp throughout Nevada has been given approval by the state’s full legislature. Senate Bill 396 received unanimous approval in the Senate late last month, and it has now been passed by the full Assembly with a 34 to 5 vote. With it being approved through both chambers, it will now be …

Activation of the body’s cannabinoid receptors through spinal infusion is effective at blocking pain, according to a new study published by the journal Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine. “Cannabinoid receptors (CB1R/CB2R) are known to play important roles in pain transmission”, begins the study’s abstract. “In this study, we investigated the effects of continuous intrathecal infusion …

Cannabis use is an effective treatment option for those with Tourette’s Syndrome, according to a new study published in the Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience. For the study, which was published online by the U.S. National Institute of Health, “The authors retrospectively evaluated effectiveness and tolerability of cannabis in 19 adults with Tourette syndrome”. …

Legislation that would legalize hemp has been given approval by the Arizona’s Legislature. Senate Bill 1337 has been passed by Arizona’s full legislature, sending it to Governor Doug Ducey for consideration. Ducey now has the option of signing the measure into law, allowing it to become law without his signature, or vetoing it. It his was …

Washington Governor Jay Inslee signed a bill into law yesterday that makes several positive changes to the state’s marijuana law. Included in Senate Bill 5131 is the legalization of sharing marijuana from one individual aged 21 and older to another individual also at least 21 years of age. Up to this point sharing marijuana – …

The legal marijuana industry in the United States employees a massive number of people, according to a new report. According the 2017 Marijuana Business Factbook released today by Marijuana Business Daily (MBD), the legal marijuana industry employees between 165,000 – 230,000 full and part-time employees. “To put this in perspective, there are now more marijuana workers …