Roger Stone's cannabis guarantee

If former President Donald Trump endorses Amendment 3 — Florida’s cannabis legalization ballot effort — ahead of November’s election, Roger Stone says he would “guarantee victory.” 

Roger Stone, a longtime ally of former President Donald Trump, believes that if Trump endorses the Florida cannabis legalization ballot initiative, it would “guarantee victory” for the measure.

Although Trump has not publicly declared his stance, he hinted at supporting state-level decisions on cannabis policy and acknowledged the medicinal value of cannabis.

The potential endorsement comes as the initiative faces opposition from Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. Read more.

2 Chainz takes Pineapple Express to court ⛓️
Grammy-award-winning rapper 2 Chainz, who invested $1.5 million in the Pineapple Express dispensary, is now taking legal action to recover his investment due to the dispensary's inability to meet its financial obligations. Read more. 

Hemp v. cannabis wages on 🥊
California cannabis trade organizations are concerned over a proposed amendment to Assembly Bill 2223, which they claim poses a significant threat to the legal cannabis supply chain by favoring hemp operators. The amendment, backed by Governor Gavin Newsom, aims to regulate intoxicating hemp products similarly to cannabis but could disadvantage state-licensed cannabis businesses by allowing hemp products easier market access and interstate commerce opportunities. Read more. 

Good time to be a lobbyist 📈
US cannabis companies are increasing their spending on lobbying to influence lawmakers amid the first steps toward federal cannabis reform and competition from the hemp industry. In the first half of 2024, cannabis and hemp companies spent nearly $4 million on lobbying, up from $2.4 million the previous year. Read more. 

Delaware ahead of schedule 📅
Delaware will open online applications for recreational cannabis business licenses on Monday, August 19, two weeks earlier than originally planned. The state will accept applications for various types of licenses until September 30, 2024. The licenses will be allocated through a lottery overseen by the commissioner in late October, with issuance beginning in November. Read more. 

SNDL Inc. agreed to acquire the remaining 34.8% of Nova Cannabis Inc. shares it does not already own, for a total of approximately $40 million. This transaction aims to consolidate SNDL’s cannabis retail operations. The deal is expected to close by October 18, 2024 and will see Nova delisted from the TSX upon completion.

Jetty Extracts, a leading company in cannabis extraction, partnered with Nabis, a major cannabis distribution service, to help grow its business across the US. This partnership will make it easier for Jetty to manage and expand its distribution by using Nabis’s technology and support. Jetty is known for making high-quality cannabis products, and working with Nabis will help them reach more customers in different states more efficiently.

Tilray Brands, Inc. will acquire four craft breweries from Molson Coors Beverage Company, significantly expanding its beverage business. The acquisition includes Hop Valley Brewing Company, Terrapin Beer Co., Revolver Brewing, and Atwater Brewery, enhancing Tilray’s craft beer portfolio and distribution network across the US.

Research from the University of Southern California shows that cannabis might help individuals reduce or cease opioid use. This study, led by PhD student Sid Ganesh, focused on participants who were using both opioids and cannabis, finding that many considered cannabis a useful tool in managing their opioid addiction, as it alleviated withdrawal symptoms and cravings.

A new study from Washington University in St. Louis suggests that cannabis use may increase the risk of hospitalization and ICU admission for COVID-19 patients. The study found that individuals who reported using cannabis were significantly more likely to need hospital care compared to non-users, challenging the perception that cannabis is harmless or even beneficial in fighting viral diseases like COVID-19. 

Another new study suggests that CBD may enhance the performance of competitive runners by reducing anxiety and perceived exertion during races. The research demonstrated that those who consumed CBD before a treadmill run felt calmer and reported an 8 percent reduction in perceived exertion, although their speed improvement was not statistically significant.

Ohio became the 25th state to legalize cannabis, and the shift to recreational sales on August 6 saw an increase in daily sales for authorized retailers, jumping from an average of $12,740 to $33,864—a 270% increase.

Recreational sales made up 76% of total sales on the first day, averaging to about 68% in subsequent days. As Ohio continues to adjust to recreational sales, initial high prices and evolving product offerings are expected to stabilize as the market matures. Read more.

Maine regulators reject proposal to let utilities report suspected cannabis grow operations to police | Portland Press Herald

With recreational cannabis legal, how will cops catch high drivers? | Dayton Daily News

While marijuana will soon be rescheduled, the federal government’s drug scheduling system remains tyrannical | Vanderbilt University Law School