Governor Pritzker talks cannabis

“At the time I was elected, we were allowing people to be held criminally liable — and inequitably so — for consuming cannabis. Just five years later, we have one of the most orderly and successful cannabis industries, and we are launching a research institute – funded by the legal sale of that same plant – that will accelerate the transformation of that old, unfair, unjust system into a vehicle for community revitalization,” Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker said, at the launch of the University of Illinois’ Cannabis Research Institute last week.

Learn more about the institute. 

Minnesota sues Zaza Cannabis Dispensary 🥊

Minnesota’s Office of Cannabis Management filed a lawsuit against Zaza Cannabis Dispensary after an inspection found products that contained up to 70 times the legal limit of THC. Read more. 

New ‘ground cannabis’ safety regulations in Mass 🤝

The Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission posted an official bulletin last week outlining new safety standards for dubbing ‘ground cannabis dust,’ a hazardous material. The new regulations come three years after Lorna McMurrey, a worker at Trulieve’s Massachusetts facility, suffered a fatal asthma attack. Read more. 

Nebraska attorneys seek to overturn medical legalization 🌽

A group of Nebraska attorneys, led by John Kuehn, a former state senator, are seeking to overturn medical cannabis legalization in Nebraska despite an overwhelming majority of voters passing it. They say that the signatures collected to place the two initiatives on the ballot were obtained in a fraudulent way. Read more.

Cannabis demand set to 📈

A new poll conducted by NuggMD found that 61% of consumers said they spent “more” or “much more” on cannabis products over the past year. “This data says that the demand side of the market is durable and highly resilient,” NuggMD Head of Communications Andrew Graham said.

Controversial cannabis and cancer study 👀

A new paper published in the journal Society for the Study of Addiction, and reported on suggested that cannabis use can increase aging and even cancer risk. But the study has proven controversial, as multiple doctors and scientists have debunked the results, arguing that the paper cherrypicks evidence and distorts results. 

Cannabis consumers reduce consumption when they have important responsibilities 🌿

A new study published in the Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior found that cannabis users moderate their cannabis consumption when they have important activities coming up, like childcare responsibilities or job interviews. Read more.

Acreage Holdings reported a $22.2 million net loss on $39.6 million revenue, down about 30% from the same quarter a year prior.

Green Thumb Industries, fresh off the Agrify acquisition, is hiring an M&A attorney to help the company advise on deals. Perhaps it’s not done deal-making… view the job description.

AdvisorShares is splitting the stock of its leveraged US cannabis ETF, MSOX 20-1. 

Most cannabis reform ballot initiatives were defeated on Election Day, though Florida’s Amendment 3 still received majority support.

Here’s a handy chart from the Tax Foundation breaking down the ballots:

A 'monstrous problem' created 7 years ago haunts California's weed industry | SF Gate

Intoxicating hemp booming in Missouri as regulators, marijuana industry try to shut it down | Missouri Independent

Voters rejected recreational cannabis in three states, and the industry is regrouping | Retail Brew

Ontario cannabis retail, a 2023-2024 perspective | Grow Opportunity

Cannabis and cognition: Not the brain you’ve been warned about | Doctor-Approved

Buds on the ballot | Rockefeller Institute